Wake UP! Awards

The Art of Non-Conformity

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:00:31 +0000

It’s not every day you meet somebody who challenges the status quo, helps others live meaningful lives and still finds the time to work toward his personal goal of visiting every country in the world. But that’s exactly what Chris Guillebeau is doing, along with the help, of course, of The Art of Non-Conformity team.

The content of the AONC website is dominated by Chris’ creative writing which is focused on inspiring people to reach their full potential in three key areas: Life, Work and Travel. Operating from the core belief that “the work we do should be both fun and meaningful,” the AONC team has published a number of guides to help readers accomplish anything from becoming a “Travel Ninja” to complete “World Domination.”

Brandon James

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:46:20 +0000

“When you follow your intuition, the internal vision you have for your life, jumping into a daring spiritual adventure, everything in the universe conspires to teach you, guide you and help you create the world of your dreams.” These are the words that sum up the personal mission of Brandon James, a “23-year-old corporate dropout” in the pursuit of something the comfort of his Chicago cubicle just couldn’t provide: meaning.

Pedaling ambitiously down a road somewhere between Berlin and Beijing, Brandon is using his blog, NewLifeTravel.tv, to share his journey with the world. By documenting his experiences through written word, video and pictures, Brandon is inspiring others and achieving his own goal of proving “that the world is what we make of it and that anything is possible.”

STREETS International

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 07:00:38 +0000

With a focus on people instead of profits, STREETS International is so much more than just a restaurant. Combining a culinary arts education, housing and medical care, today, STREETS International is making a real difference in the lives of underprivileged youth in Southeast Asia. This 18-month training program prepares students for a career in the hospitality and tourism industries while running a self-sustaining restaurant operation. With the passionate support of a board of established businesspeople and industry professionals, STREETS International is lifting the spirits and changing the lives of many of the millions of street kids around the world.

Cody McKibben

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:19:58 +0000

As a self-titled “nomadic entrepreneur,” Cody McKibben is living life outside the box — in Thailand! Sharing his adventurous and entreprenurial spirit with others through his blog, Thrilling Heroics.com, Cody’s vibrant energy and passion for life are infectious. Since 2006 he has been inspiring others to “pursue an unorthodox, exciting lifestyle and career, strive for excellence, and make a positive difference in the world.”

CouchSurfing

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:19:20 +0000

Today with more than 1.7 million members, CouchSurfing is so much more than its name suggests. Run as a non-profit organization, CouchSurfing’s mission is “to create inspiring experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating,” and that’s exactly what they’ve been doing since 2004.

Built on a network of trust, CouchSurfers can travel the globe, staying for free with other community members in over 230 countries and territories around the world. When approached with an open mind and a free spirit, the authentic, cross-cultural bonds formed by the CS experience really are “Creating a Better World, One Couch At A Time.”

Les Brown

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:33 +0000

Born in an abandoned building, given up for adoption and then later declared to be “mentally retarded,” today, Les Brown is a highly revered motivational speaker, speech coach and best-selling author.

Through his own challenges, Les inspires audiences to Wake UP! and “get into their greatness.” His advice? “You’ve got to have: Passion, Pride, Persistence, Perseverance, People and Projects.”

Visit Les’ site to watch as he shares the unbelievable story of how one of his biggest dreams finally became a reality.

Kyle MacDonald

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:00:04 +0000

Anything is possible. If you’re like most people, when you hear this, deep down there’s probably a little voice that says “yeah, anything except ________.” Well, surprisingly, one little red paper clip just might be enough to change your mind.

In July, 2005 Kyle MacDonald set out to test the limits of possibility by performing a series of up-trades to go from a single red paper clip to his ultimate goal of owning “a house. Or an Island. Or a house on an island.” Incredibly, after just 14 savvy trades and 1 year to the day, his dream became reality and Kyle took possession of his very own home, free and clear of all debt.

For taking risks and inspiring others to push the boundaries of possibility, the Wake UP! Award for January 2010 goes to Kyle MacDonald. Congratulations!

Playing for Change

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:00:04 +0000

Providing resources to musicians and their communities around the world, Playing for Change is helping to connect the world through music. With monetary donations and contributions of talent, schools are being opened by local artists to help provide children with valuable skills development and mentorship designed to instill self-esteem and confidence. From the Mehlo Arts Center in Johannesburg, a creative writing school for youth, to the newly announced opening of their first music school, the Ntonga Music School, in Gugulethu, South Africa, Playing for Change is empowering those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to explore their passion.

NOVICA

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:25 +0000

Igniting a “home decor revolution,” NOVICA creates a bridge between consumers and highly skilled artisans around the globe. Throwing out the traditional business model, NOVICA is literally changing the lives of their partner artisans by putting an unprecedented amount of the purchase dollar back into the artists’ deserving hands. With NOVICA’s help, these gifted creators have been able to build themselves homes, fund their children’s education and pay for much needed healthcare.