Have you been searching for a rewarding, high-paying job but making no progress?

Do you have a job but feel you’re just going through the motions?

Are you called to a life of travel and adventure, but feel chained
to your desk or cubicle?

Do you want your life to have more meaning and purpose?

Chris Guillebeau wrote this book for you

Still in his early thirties, Chris is on the verge of completing a tour of every country on earth – he’s already visited more than 175 nations – and yet he’s never held a “real job” or earned a regular paycheck. Rather, he has a special genius for turning ideas into income, and he uses what he earns both to support his life of adventure and to give back.

There are many others like Chris – those who’ve found ways to opt out of traditional employment and create the time and income to pursue what they find meaningful. Sometimes, achieving that perfect blend of passion and income doesn’t depend on shelving what you currently do. You can start small with your venture, committing little time or money, and wait to take the real plunge when you’re sure it’s successful.

In preparing to write this book, Chris identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from an initial investment of $100 or less, and from that group he’s chosen to focus on the 50 most intriguing case studies. In nearly all cases, people with no special skills discovered aspects of their personal passions that could be monetized, and were able to restructure their lives in ways that gave them greater freedom and fulfillment.

Here, finally, distilled into one easy-to-use guide, are the most valuable lessons from those who’ve learned how to turn what they do into a gateway to self-fulfillment. In ancient times, people who were dissatisfied with their lives dreamed of finding magic lamps, buried treasure, or streets paved with gold. Today, we know that it’s up to us to change our lives. And the best part is, if we change our own life, we can help others change theirs. This remarkable book will start you on your way.

The series is a collaboration between UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz.  Future topics in the year-long series will feature topics that include The New Workplace, Innovation in Research & Development, and Gaming & Social Media.

Panelists

James (Jim) Sweeney, is Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency; Professor of Management Science and Engineering; Senior Fellow of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research; Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace; and Senior Fellow of the Stanford Institute for International Studies. His professional activities focus on economic policy and analysis, particularly in energy, natural resources, and the environment. (read his full bio)

Daniel Shugar, a pioneer and leader in solar power whose experience in the industry spans 22 years, joined Solaria in January 2010. Prior to joining the Solaria team Shugar served most recently as president of SunPower Systems, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation. Dan Shugar spent ten years as president of PowerLight Corporation until its acquisition by SunPower. During his tenure at PowerLight and then SunPower, Shugar oversaw revenue growth from less than $1 million to more than $800 million, and he was responsible for the completion of more than 500 photovoltaic (PV) projects serving commercial, industrial and utility clients worldwide. Before PowerLight, Shugar managed the Solar Projects Research Group at Pacific Gas & Electric Co. He has invented various PV system applications, holds multiple U.S. patents and has published more than 50 technical papers. Shugar holds a BS in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in finance from Golden Gate University. (read more)

These outstanding speakers will provide the audience with current thinking, best practices and trends in sustainability and social innovation, examining how brands and the media are framing this business shift.  Topics will include an exploration of how businesses are responding to the social, environmental and economic challenges of today’s world with innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The series is new collaboration between UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz.  Future topics in the year-long series will feature topics that include Energy, The New Workplace, Innovation in Research & Development, and Gaming & Social Media.

[eventbrite eventid=538623036 type=ticket]

We take a a provocative look at innovation from business, policy and social change vectors, providing inspiration, insight, and the tools needed for succeeding in the next decade.  Hosted by UC Santa Cruz, NextSpace Coworking + Innovation, and the City of Santa Cruz, our year-long series will feature topics that explore Sustainability and Social Innovation (February 18), Energy (April), The New Workplace (June), Research & Development (October), and Gaming & Social Media (December).