Rafiki Partnership V6 (Full)

A LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

A Successful and Beloved Business

• Total income of $650,000 and profit of $175,000 in 2019.

• The resort has received a variety of prestigious awards, including the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame, 2022 Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice, and Platinum status as a Green Leader.

More than just a place to stay: Significant Conservation Impacts

• The lodge contains 540 acres of tropical lowland forest bordering a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, linking two biological corridors integral to the biodiversity of Costa Rica.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A REMARKABLE LEGACY

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, containing nearly 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity in a country the size of West Virginia. Remarkably, the Savegre Biosphere Reserve is home to 54% of the country's total mammals and 59% of its birds. Therefore, the protection of this property would directly safeguard 3 percent of the world’s birds and mammals. As a donor or investor, this opportunity offers you the ability to leave an impressive and dynamic legacy of conservation impacts on the ground.

Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis

THE PROPERTY

OVERVIEW

Total property: 540+ acres

• 16 safari tents imported from South Africa on main property

• Ocean view mountaintops

• 4.5km of riverfront on the Savgre River, the “cleanest river in Central America”

• Elevations ranging from 300 to 1500ft above sea level

• XX number of waterfalls

• 2 owner/ caretaker homes

• Over 16,000 ft2 of living and entertaining areas

• An iconic lodge (3735 ft2) with new Palmex roofing

• Community pool with one of the 5 fastest water slides on earth

• Solar powered hot tub

• XX kilometers of biking and hiking trails

• 88 m2 Boathouse and an 8x10 shop

• Hydroelectric power

• Solar hot water for each tent

Red-eyed leaf frog, Agalychnis callidryas

CURRENT ON-SITE

white water rafting

hiking

aqua hiking

mountain biking

horseback riding

kayaking

waterfall rappelling

restaurant and bar area with seating for 40

on-staff masseuse

gift shop

world class birding (350+ species of birds)

WHAT GUESTS SAY

VISION

Rafiki Lodge is a wellness sanctuary set within a biological reserve in Costa Rica, designed to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Through immersive discovery, exploration, and celebration of life on earth, it offers world travelers a vibrant reconnection to self, society, and planet in a spirit of optimism and regeneration.

MISSION

STATEMENT

Rafiki Lodge inspires compassion and connection for the planet, its people, and all beings through positive, creative projects of the highest standard.

The 540 acres of land is set aside as a nature sanctuary in perpetuity, providing significant biodiversity conservation benefits to the planet.

The Lodge gathers people together to celebrate life and discovery with a holistic and integrative worldview based on systems thinking.

A regenerative mission produces lasting social, ecological, spiritual, and economic vitality for its visitors and surrounding communities.

PARTNERSHIP IDEAS

A few idea

• Constant Boshoff receives a payment of $2M for his partnership share

• A $1.2 loan for renovations and new construction is obtained by Kimberly or Lautjie Boshoff

• A 6-month intense internship with current owners to begin in early 2023

• Consideration is given to the need for an operating reserve

• Lautjie Boshoff and Kimberly Byrd receive a salary of $50K each, some percentage of profit sharing after that

• Kimberly retains right of first refusal for the Beach Camp property

THE TEAM

KIMBERLY BYRD, PHD

Executive director and owner; conservation biologist, sustainability education, workshop leader, TEDx speaker and coach, artist

MARY WELSH

Serdendipity Circles, CEO; Expert in Women’s groups, workshops, retreats, experience design

LAUJTIE BOSHOFF

Conservation leader, white water raft guide, founding member Path of the Tapir, UNESCO program, has run Rafiki Safari Lodge for the past 10 years

RICHARD BEXON

Director, Costa Rica Real Estate Investing; Owner, Namu* Travel Company; Tourism Strategy & Masterplan

ERICK CORRALES

Development Director, Costa Rica Real Estate Investing; Engineer, construction, project management

JONEE BRIGHAM, AIA

Architect, artist, K-12 curriculum specialist, environmental education, green schools founder

BYRD

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Positive, engaging sustainability professional with 30 years of experience motivating, communicating, and inspiring joyful and collaborative work for the common good. Experience in academia, nonprofit organizations, and local and state government has developed a diversified skill set focused on communication, partnership, critical thinking, and innovation. Excellent interpersonal, conceptual, and practical skills aimed at large-scale problemsolving.

WORK EXPERIENCE

COURSE INSTRUCTOR / UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 2009 -

Lead instructor for courses on global sustainability, sustainable communities, and environmental ethics.

INSTITUTE ON THE ENVIRONMENT EDUCATOR / UMN 2019 -2021

Creation of a new course introducing all incoming freshman to principles of sustainability and resilience thinking.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR / MCGRAW HILL HIGHER ED 2018-2021

Updated chapters for Cunningham and Cunningham’s Environmental Science: A Global Concern; storyboard author for online environmental science lessons.

CONSULTANT / UMN DEPT OF APPLIED ECONOMICS

2016-2018

Researcher, author, and graphic designer of a 200+ page sustainability sourcebook for high school students and teachers.

MERCURY SPECIALIST / WISCONSIN DNR 1995-1997

RECYCLING

COORDINATOR / NORTHWESTERN UNIV. 1990-1994

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA / DOCTORATE 1997-2004 PhD in Conservation Biology, an interdisciplinary program that integrates public policy and ecology. Dissertation on wolf management in Minnesota.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY / BACHELOR OF ARTS 1986-1990

BA degree in history, with a focus on science in human culture. Student activist and founding member of environmental group still active today.

SKILLS

• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communicator

• Proficient and experienced at communicating technical or conceptual material

SELECTED EXTRAS

• Positive and enthusiastic team member

• Confident working individually, or as part of a team or coalition

• Innovative, approachable leader

“True Sustainability,” TEDx talk, October 2016; Chairperson, Mahtomedi Environment Commission 2018-2020; TEDx Steering Committee, 2018-; Member of the University of Minnesota’s United Nations COP25 Observation Delegation, 2019 and COP 26, 2021; Personal Chef 2017; National Outdoor Leadership School; Artist -See full resume in Appendix-

INSIGHT CONSULTANTS

With a long career in sustainability education, group facilitation, climate activism, and community organizing, Kimberly has numerous colleagues willing to offer insights, ideas, and encouragement for the project.

Amir Nadav, former Head of Sustainability, St Thomas University (living community challenge)

Brian Stinquist, formerly of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (group facilitation)

Tim Smith, PhD, Systems Thinking Expert (leads college class in Costa Rica)

Corrie Crothers, (leads high school class trips to Costa Rica)

Analyah Schlaeger dos Santos, Youth Program Specialist

Jeanine Christenson, Real Estate Professional Kathy Dix, former Director of Ogitchi Daa Kwee girls camp

Alexander Lazlo, PhD (transformational learning pathways)

Annalise Smitsman, PhD (regenerative education)

Marnita Schrodel (hospitality)

Mary Hoff, Drawdown Project (journalist and community expert)

Sarah Goodspeed, Climate Generation (youth education)

Christine Baeumler, PhD, Interdisciplinary Art & Social Practice Department Chair, UMN

Michelle Garvey, PhD (Environmental Justice Specialist)

Tracy Fredin, PhD, Director of Hamiline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education

Senia Mae Tuominen, Doctor of Chinese Medicine and certified functional medicine practitioner

Kathy Flaminio, Founder, Yoga Calm

Kyle Samejima, Executive Director, Minneapolis Climate Action

Kara Parker, MD, head of Integrative Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center (Wellness trends)

Kristen Mastel, University of Minnesota Libraries (forest bathing)

Linda Butarian, PhD (education specialist, creative writing and art for social change)

Graham Ambrose, PhD, (regenerative agriculture, food systems)

Kaia Sven, (Women’s group specialist)

Judy Fawcett (art workshops)

Christine Kleich, LICSW, Social Worker, socialist in women’s groups

Barb Hynes-Tomczyk, actress, teacher (improv expert)

Ann Pierce, PhD, Director of Parks and Trails, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Laura Kincaid, Transformational Workshop Specialist

Amelia Reigstad, PhD, communication trainer, group facilitation

Ahna Logan, Interior Design Tobie Vickers-Lee, art education

Julia Huber Mayeux, Build-to-Rent real estate developer

Donald Huber, real estate developer, founder of Newfields , 1 of 11 new communities founded by the federal government in the 1970s

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1990s Costa Rica has one of the fastest rates of deforestation in the world 1997 Constant Boshoff purchases 300 hectare farm in Savegre Valley 200? Work on Paso de La Danta to connect Corcovado National Park to the largest conserved area in Central America, La Amistad International Peace Park

2011-2015 Rafiki receives Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor 2017 Rafiki participates in establishing the Savegre Valley as a UNESCO Biosphere

1950s lower Savegre Valley Logged for precious hardwoods, then slashed and burned

1996 Costa Rica bans cutting native woods and clear cutting existing forests

2002 Rafiki Lodge Opens 2004 Rafiki works with local community to develop naturalist guides, hotel staff, mechanics

2009 Electricity comes to Rafiki 2015 Rafiki Entered into Trip Advisor Excellence Hall of Fame Rafiki receives Trip Advisor Traveler’s

ADDING VALUE

8 CORE STRATEGIES

Diversify markets: Day trips from Manuel Antonio/Quepos; art & science workshops; forest bathing; culinary adventures

Increase room prices by providing upgraded safari tents, improving linens, decor, bathroom remodeling

Retreats: women’s retreats; wilderness inquiry handicap; grandparent-grandchild; environmental/NGO/corporate; art, science, storytelling

Increase number of rooms by moving existing safari tents to 2-3 new remote locations, adding 2 new tents to main location

Science education: establish connections with K12 teachers, undergraduates, elderhostel groups, biomimicry for engineers, architects, product designers

Expand existing markets like backroads, elder hostel, medical doctors’ wilderness training, birders, fly fishing, families, couples/ honeymooners

New hut to hut offerings throughout the property: birding safari at different altitudes; wildlife safaris; mountain biking; kayak; hiking; yoga safaris; horseback; photographic safaris

Increase marketing efforts through new website, travel agencies, expanded credentials (eg. Regenerative Travel), National Geographic

TWO PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TIMELINE

EXPANSION PLANS

RENOVATIONS PROGRAMMING NEW CONSTRUCTION

Enhancing finishes to add color and charm

Remodeling of existing bathrooms to increase luxury elements will increase the potential ADR for the tented camps. New lighting and small decor changes in the lodge will bring in a feeling of understated elegance. Bespoke linens in the dining rooms, guest rooms, and gift shop will add charm and uniqueness. Enhanced landscaping will complement and highlight the property and provide tent privacy.

Luxury and expanded programming

The 16 existing safari tents will be moved to new locations throughout the property, providing options for hut-to-hut adventures. New luxury safari tents with higher ceilings and lighter interiors will bring an expanded sense of glamour. A yoga deck, outdoor kitchen, writer’s shack, and spa will contribute to new services and educational programs.

Specialty safaris tell a unique

story

Specialty safaris like hiking, mountain biking, horseback, birding, and photography cater to travelers looking for unique adventures catered to their interests. New wellness workshop offerings in cooking, arts, science, and sustainability education will appeal to both overnight guests and clients bused in from Manuel Antonio/Quepos.

NEW TENTS AT BASE CAMP

Feature higher ceilings and light interiors. Lofted versions are available.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

LODGING AND FOOD

Overnight guests stay at the base camp or remote tented locations. Dining is available in the restaurant, or guests may choose to cook their own meals with fellow travelers in the community kitchen.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Contenting and expanding Rafiki’s extremely successful adventure outfitting for white water-rafting, horseback riding, waterfall repelling, hiking, and mountain biking.

PROGRAMS, SERVICES & RETREATS FOR WELLBEING/WELLNESS

Featuring wellness economy sectors as identified by the Global Wellness Institute ( 2021 ): Healthy eating and nutrition; physical activity; traditional and complementary medicine; mental wellness; personal care and beauty.

ART, SCIENCE, AND SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION

Classes and workshops are available as part of a lodging package, or may be purchased a la carte by overnight guests, international tourists staying in the area, or local residents.

REVENUE FORECAST BY SOURCE

4 PROGRAMMING PILLARS

Our on-site services will enable visitors to reconnect, energize, and interact along 4 pillars:

ART | SCIENCE | SPIRIT | ADVENTURE

This approach takes the successful model of wellness tourism and adds components of art exploration, conservation sciences, and sustainability education for a stimulating, well-rounded, and unique experience of Costa Rica’s abundance.

SPIRIT ADVENTURE

Led by a professor with 30 years of experience in the conservation field and 15 years experience teaching sustainability at a Big Ten university, this unique center offers an immersive experience into living and exploring solutions firsthand, not just talking about them.

DIVERSIFIED INCOME

Diversification of revenue streams provides resilience to changing markets or travel restrictions. In addition to lodging, there are several entry points for local residents or nearby tourists to interact with the facilities.

PERCENTAGE REVENUE PER INCOME STREAM

REVENUE FORECAST

Historical Predicted

ON A TYPICAL DAY…

The retreat estate may be host to the following myriad of activities and guests:

• Tent occupancy includes a group of 8 attending a deep ecology retreat, and a group of 6 friends and family on a reconnection getaway

• Another overnight resident group includes a group of 4 health care workers and 3 teachers attending a “How to Keep an Open Heart” workshop designed to counter burnout tendencies, offered by the Greater Good Health Center

• Six avid birders are staying in one of the new remote camp locations on a 3-day altitudinal birding safari

• 20 people in their restaurant for lunch, 30 for dinner

• 10 overnight residents go white-water rafting

• 8 people purchase robes, swimsuits, and bags handmade by local artisans from bespoke fabrics

• Rise and shine yoga is attended by 10 on site guests

• Three student interns work in the biological reserve (2 doing research for their undergraduate thesis)

• The artist in residence gives a workshop on nature journaling, serving 10 people

• Four employees use designated time to work on a self-directed and self-initiated project (in this case, developing a community garden, labeling a botanical showcase, and organizing a kids’ art exhibit from the local elementary school)

• The writer in residence offers a poetry reading during afternoon tea time, attended by 12 people

• Three overnight guests visit the food forest to pick fruit for their morning meal

• The musician in the residence gives an evening performance in the botanical garden

• Two families have a picnic in the botanical garden

• A group of 5 women traveling together attend the spa, receiving hot stone massages followed by a waterfall cleanse

• Kimberly leads a workshop on biomimicry essentials and a biomimicry treasure hunt in the biological reserve (8 attendees)

• Three families visit the farm for horseback riding / equine experience

• In the community kitchen, 8 people attend a nutrition class on the gut microbiome followed by a “Grandma University” session on pickling /fermented foods, which is led by a local elder

• 6 people attend a culinary adventure exploring spice and vanilla production, followed by a cooking class

• Local guides lead a group of 7 on a night hike in the biological preserve

On that one day, 68 people experience an insight or physical healing that changes their perspective in some area of their life and contributes to the global change we intend .

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS

Kimberly has extensive experience in sustainability education and has a large repertoire of ready-to-go seminars. These may be offered as optional add-ons for clients, workshops for the community, or small events for tourists in the area. Options could include a short lecture over dinner about biomimicry and then a night hike for discovery; ethics and enchiladas lunch sessions; or sustainability suppers.

ON-SITE ACTIVITIES

Afternoon Tea

Art Gallery

Birding from your backdoor Birding Safari

Bright Morning Qi Gong Chocolate from Tree to Bar

Cooking & Nutrition Classes

Equine Experience Evening Yoga Fitness Class Floating Classroom Forest Bathing Hanging Bridges

Hootenanny Meditation

Mindfulness Workshop Night Hikes

Orchid Trail Outback Hiking Outdoor Movies Personal Chef Services Picnics Pool Reiki/ Massage Retreat Facilities Rise and shine yoga

Scientific Research Plots Sculpture Garden Spa & Bodywork Stone Massage

Sunset Drinks on the Patio Tai Chi

TED Talks - Watch & Discuss Trail Runs Visit the Farm Visit the Organic Garden Waterfall cleanse Weekend Dance Parties

ART EXPLORATION

Artist in Residence Artist Workshops Community Kitchen Conscious Cooking

Craft your own lotions, balms Create a one-act play, poster, digital story, song, bumper sticker

Create your signature aromatherapy scent Cycles of Creativity & Renewal

DIY Art Intervention Improv Workshops

Musician in Residence Photography Classes Postcard Series

Public & Community Art Storytelling for Connections The Poetry of Connection Workshops on Cycles of Creativity and Renewal Writer in Residence Writer's Shack

SCIENCE WORKSHOPS

Adaptive Cycle Biodiversity 101: That which weaves us together Biomimicry Treasure Hunt Climate Communication Basics Climate Impacts Near & Far Climate Science 101 Diversity & Redundancy (& the Pathology of Efficiency)

For the love of all things creepy and crawly Healthy Gut, Healthy You (Your Inner Rainforest)

Integrative Nutrition Consultation Managing Systems for Resilience Our Relatives with Roots Our Relatives with Wings Planetary Boundaries Science & NonDuality

Think Competition Runs the World? Think Again! Tipping Points: View from Ecology

SUSTAINABILITY SESSIONS

Alternatives to GDP

Architectural Demonstration Buildings

Beyond Mission Zero: Creating Positive Change

Biomimicry: Life's Design Principles

Biophilic Architecture & Design Building a Vision: Backcasting for the Future Design Thinking

Discover Permaculture Do we need transformative change? Doughnuts & Doughnut Economics Ethics & Enchiladas

Exploring True Costs & Externalities

Global SDGs & Synergetic Solutions

Grandma University How Can I Make a Difference? (Social Change Wheel) Living Buildings/Living Communities

Living Systems Design

Measuring What Matters: Muticapital Assessments

Multi-Solving & Co-Benefits Permaculture Principles

Planning for Resilient Futures Psychology of Sustainable Behavior

Rapid Decarbonization: Is It Possible?

Regenerative Design Resilience Mindsets Solutions Showcase Sustainability for the 21st Century Synergy & The Sustainable Development Goals System Archetypes: When problems keep coming back Systems Thinking on the Farm The Sustainability Spectrum What's a B-Corp?

SPIRIT & MINDFULNESS

Adaptive Cycle Cycles of Creativity & Renewal Eco-Centric Worldviews: Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism Effective Communication

Equine Experience Healer in Residence incremental vs transformational change

Life Lessons from Biomimicry

Loving Kindness Meditation

Meditation & Neuroscience

Planning for Resilient Futures Telling Your Story of Change

The Three Stories of Our Time (Macy, Relational Center)

The Work That Reconnects (Macy & Engaged Buddhism) Thresholds of Change

Walking Meditation

What's it like to be a bat? Seeing through animal eyes

SAMPLE RETREAT PATHWAYS

What might a retreat look like at Rafiki Lodge? The sample 5-day plan below illustrates an option for a typical ecotourist looking for an alternative to a traditional resort. These 3-5 day themed adventures in wellness and regenerative design focus on fun and relaxation, with a few mini-lectures and educational immersion activities sprinkled throughout.

These activity themes may also be modified as 1-day excursions for day visitors.

Additional sample pathways include Creative Exploration, Pillars of Well-Being, Deep Ecology, Systems Thinking Superhero, Resilience Mindsets, Thresholds of Change, Solutions Showcase, Science Discovery, and Celebrate Biodiversity. With extensive experience in graduate and undergraduate course design, Kimberly has a large repertoire of field-tested workshops ready to go.

A

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Altitudinal Corridor Connectivity

Water Systems

Tapir Behavioral Ecology

Symbiotic Relationship between Ajo Trees ( Caryocar costarricense ) and Spider Monkeys

Entomology

Large Cats

Primates

Ornithology

Conservation Justice

Writing/Storytelling for Conservation

Impact of experiential education on understanding of systems thinking concepts

Climate Change Impacts on tropical lowland forest ecology/vegetation

Vanilla Cultivation Co-op: Impact on local villages

Biomimicry retreats for designers, engineers

Donut economics in relationship to tourism

PRODUCTS WITH CREATIVE DISTINCTION

Specialty products deliver uniqueness, charm, and marketing opportunities. Interested local villagers could attend classes in sewing or floral design to help the project flourish.

PLAYFUL TEXTILES

T he buildings’ interior design will incorporate fabrics hand-curated by Kimberly. Grouped by color palettes and designed by artists across the world, the fabrics are printed on-demand onto lightweight cottons, gauze, cotton duck, linen, velvets, stretch lycra, and blends. We can also upload artwork created on-site by our artists in residence for a truly unique experience. The textiles will be used for bespoke curtains, pillows, bed runners, table linens, tea towels, swimsuits, beach bags, and robes. These unusual and delightful designs will help create a signature style for the facility. Look closely! Trilobites, sloths, jaguars, tapirs, and toucans are hiding everywhere.

COSTA RICA IS A STRONG INVESTMENT

WHY COSTA RICA?

Sometimes referred to as the "Little Switzerland" of Central America, Costa Rica is home to a stable democracy, unparalleled natural diversity, and some of the longestlived people on the planet. The country invented "eco-tourism" and plans to invest in the coming decade to ensure it's growth. There are numerous direct flights from the United states (a 5-hour direct flight from Minneapolis typically costs around $500), making it the ideal destination for tourists seeking either adventure or serenity.

COSTA RICA IS A STABLE DEMOCRACY

Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. It abolished its military forces in 1949, diverting this funding to health and education of its peoples. It has prizes public education, including the university system as well as technical and vocational training. Its population of 5 million people enjoys a literacy rate of 96%. Costa Rica is the home to many international organizations such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the University for Peace of the United Nations and the Earth Council. (Information from the embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, DC)

POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY SHOWS STRONG BRAND

Costa Rica leads the world in Foreign Direct Investment, relative to its size (see graphic, next page). William Rodriguez, the Minister of Tourism, is determined to have visitor numbers in 2023 match or exceed those for 2019. The country’s marketing campaign, called “Life’s Essentials,” highlights adventure travel, natural beauty, flora and fauna, the country’s protected areas, and wellness.

ECOTOURISM IN COSTA RICA

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

One hour from Rafiki Safari Lodge is Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s most popular natural reserve. The park was established in 1972 and protects 1,983 ha of humid tropical forest and an additional 55,000 ha of marine area. The wettest months are from June to November, and the driest months are from December to May. Despite being the smallest national park in Costa Rica, it is the one that attracts the most tourists. In 2011, Manuel Antonio was listed by Forbes as among the world's 12 most beautiful national parks.

This park has experienced rapid growth in annual tourist visitation, from approximately 25,000 tourists in 1982 to 524,835 tourists in 2018. In 2021, the park received a total of 329,000 visitors (139,000 from residents and 190,000 from non-residents). It is the most celebrated attraction by a wide margin; the second most popular park, Ballena, received 235,000 visitors in 2021.

Rafiki is well-positioned to take advantage of this tourist growth. The purchase of a shuttle bus would enable the transportation of day clients to workshops or outings onsite. The offering of art, photography, cooking, and sustainability education classes will set it apart from current offerings in the area.

Citations: Porras-Murillo et al, Human-wildlife interactions in a major tourist destination: Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica, BIODIVERSITAS Volume 23, Number 5, May 2022 and SINAC 2022

THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY

Wellness is a significant trend in the hospitality industry. From 2017 to 2019, wellness economy saw 6.6% growth annually, a growth rate significantly higher than global economic growth (4.0%) ( GWI, 2021 ).

Wellness

Compared to the average tourist, wellness travelers’ per trip spend

RELEVANT INDUSTRY TRENDS

Kimberly is delighted that the concept of Regeneration has come into the mainstream. Once an obscure concept in sustainability, it is now the leading trend in the wellness economy. This robust approach has firm grounding in both theoretical meaning and its potential to deliver transformative change. But buyer beware! Some companies are now tempted to replace the word “sustainability” with “regeneration” because it is a buzzword. Kimberly has engaged with this concept from its inception and takes it seriously, from site assessment, biophilic design, educational programming, and multi-capital assessments of the social, ecological, and economic impacts of the project.

GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE 2022 TRENDS

TREND 1: An Explosion of Regeneration Projects, Initiatives, & Organizations; TREND 2: Regeneration and Beauty in sourcing TREND 3: Regenerative Hospitality and Travel TREND 4: Regeneration Art TREND 5: Regenerative Leadership TREND 6: Spirituality and Business

GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE 2020 TRENDS

TREND 1: Developing the Understanding, Emphasis and Use of the Term ‘Regenerative Economy’ TREND 2: Increasing the Number of B-Corps in the Wellness Industry TREND 5: Raising Interest in and Practice of Spirituality

Source: GWI, 2022

THE OPPORTUNITY

People today need connection . We are deeply seeking the exploration and discovery of our primary interrelationships: alignment with our truest selves, our human communities, and with the earth. At their best, ecotourism and wellness retreats reveal the vibrance of the natural world and foster our kinship with fellow living beings, embrace the goodness inherent in the human heart, and nourish our creative potential.

MARKET SPOTLIGHT

Data from Carvache-Franco, et al. The Role of Motivations in the Segmentation of Ecotourism Destinations: A Study from Costa Rica. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9818.

MARKET PROFILES

Data from Carvache-Franco, et al. The Role of Motivations in the Segmentation of Ecotourism Destinations: A Study from Costa Rica. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9818.

ECO-TOURISM MOTIVATIONS INFORM CUSTOMER OFFERINGS

Insights about ecotourism motivations help inform the types of activities most likely to appeal to these market segments. This information was used to develop the new on-site offerings and programming elements at the Rafiki Lodge.

Data in columns 1-3 are from Carvache-Franco, et al. The Role of Motivations in the Segmentation of Ecotourism Destinations: A Study from Costa Rica. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9818.

RAFIKI LODGE USER PERSONAS

In User Experience Design (UX), professionals create “User Personas," fictional or archetypal clients that represent the needs, goals, and characteristics of an ideal customer. This helps product designers gain insight and empathy into potential market segments. An understanding of customers' individual learning journeys and their behavior patterns helps product designers create something that is useful, desirable, and valuable to the target market. In this case, the "Market Motivations" data research from from Carvache-Franco, et al. Segmentation of Ecotourism Destinations: A Study from Costa Rica. Sustainability 2021, provided the justification and analysis behind each persona's development.

USER PERSONAS 2-3

USER PERSONAS 4-5

Married

USER PERSONAS 6-7

Retired grandfather of 4, loves to travel, learn, and offer unique opportunities to his grandchildren in safe and trusted environments

Backcountry excursions

Personal presentations, word of mouth

Learning, exploration

I cannot imagine a better gift to my family than to show my grandchildren the magic and wonder of the world”

Master’s Degree

Audie is an outdoor enthusiast who loves friends, cooking, and music. As a natural resource major with a sustainability minor, she is especially interested in regenerative agriculture and innovative conservation policies.

Tik-tok, Instagram

Friends, word-of-mouth

Adventure, outdoor, resilience, regeneration, justice, community, leadership, internships

The opportunity to go to Costa Rica and learn about conservation solutions is a dream come true. I am excited about my summer internship at Rafiki. I’ll be writing my senior thesis about the potential for community vanilla production!”

73

Colin Cunningham Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Sophomore in college

Single

Cincinatti, Ohio

Audie Fisher

MARKET DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

FINANCIAL MODEL

ASSUMPTIONS

• The company will be run as a large self-contained resort.

• Dynamic pricing / seasonal pricing is included in these models.

• Models are calculated for 5-day package rates per person ($3,450).

• Calculations assume tent occupancy at 50%, ramping up to 55% occupancy in year 5. Profitability could increase dramatically with higher occupancy.

• Employee head count starts at 18 in FY2023, average local salary is $750/month, plus December bonus, and 38% burden.

• Kimberly and Lautjie are paid $50,000/year (+XX Lautjie’s wife), with some proportion of profit sharing after that

• A $36,000 year position is included for a hotel manager.

• Two profit and loss models are presented, one with a $2M Partnership Loan and another with a $3M Loan for the partnership stake and renovations/remodeling.

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

PROFIT & LOSS FORECAST

$2M loan, FY2023-2027

PROFIT & LOSS FORECAST

$3M loan, FY2023-2027

COMPETITION

ANALYSIS USING AIRDNA DATA OF AIRBNB RENTALS

REVPAR BY LOCATION

ANALYSIS USING AIRDNA DATA OF AIRBNB RENTALS

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

• Outstanding customer reviews

• Personalized attention by staff

• New partner has extensive experience in writing, designing, and leading classes workshops and educational programs for a variety of audiences (intellectual property)

• New partner has special expertise in evaluating sustainability trends

• Unique combination of art, wellness, ecotourism, and science

• Revenue diversification beyond lodging includes opportunities for locals and local tourists

• Location attractive to travelers from US, Canada, Europe

• Positive, inspirational culture makes it a fun place to work and visit

• Guests can create personalized pathways specific to their interests

• Art, science, and cooking offer something new to the area

• Large repertoire of successful, healthy, vibrant recipes

• Holistic approach draws people in

• Bespoke textiles create novelty, something fresh

• Visitors promote self-care and healing, increasing their aptitude for engaging community and solidarity back at home

• Worker profit-sharing helps retain excellent employees

• Self-identified and self-directed projects by employees contribute to needs of the local community

WEAKNESSES

• Transportation travel time could be a barrier

• Visitors to Costa Rica often complain of poor road conditions

• High initial costs

• Creativity is needed in financing because all foreign real estate transactions are done in cash

• Rainy season limits visitors in September & October

SWOT ANALYSIS

OPPORTUNITIES

• Costa Rican government offers sustained, focused to increase tourism

• Strong eco-tourism and sustainability branding in CR

• Affiliate relations with related vendors

• Development of proprietary products (Spa? Apothecary?)

• Bespoke textiles could be sold online

• Online course offerings, e-books

• Ability to grow produce on site can limit food expenses

• Networking potential with social entrepreneurs, regenerative travel, Bcorporations

• High growth trends for Wellness Economy and Wellness Tourism

• Wellness tourists are willing to pay 53% more for their experiences

• Costa Rica is showing very strong tourism recovery after COVID

• The Costa Rican real estate market has shown stable upward trends (no drastic highs/lows/bubbles)

• Potential affiliation with multiple colleges to offer for-credit student programs

• Explosive interest in regenerative approaches

• Special marketing and discounts for educators, health care workers, those in the environmental field

• Community programs like TED watch and discuss contribute to the social capital of the area

THREATS

• Potential changes in regulations (water, other?)

• Increased price inputs could cause upward pricing

• Increased climate threats: drought, floods, landslides, invasive species, vector-borne diseases, heat waves, refugees, red tide along the coast

• Political instability in Nicaragua could cause stress

• Pandemic health restrictions may limit international tourism

• Rising fuel costs could reduce international air travel

• Global recession may decrease international travel

REGENERATIVE PARTNERSHIPS/ CONNECTIONS

Regenerative Travel

R3.0 - banks, philanthropies

Regenerative Paradigm Institute (Carol Sanford)

Center for Courage & Renewal

The Work that Reconnects (Joanna Macy)

Fetzer Institute

Laszlo Center for New Paradigm Research (become a research fellow)

International Tourism Partnership (ITP) initiative with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/

Good Hotel Group

Gulen Hashmi (2017) The SLOW model – sustainable luxury for overall well-being

KIMBERLY: MOVING FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Training options and opportunities

• Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship

• Hotel School with Cornell University

• Regenerative Practitioner Series with Regenesis Institute

• Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN)

• Ashoka Foundation Fellowship

• Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship of the Saïd Business School

• Social Business Accelerators/ Incubators

Supporting Partners of Regenerative Travel

https://regenesisgroup.com/

SOURCES OF FUNDING: PURPOSE-DRIVEN

PURPOSE-DRIVEN SUPPORT: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• B-Corporations, B Lab

• Impact Investing Funds to scale a social business (Acumen, Triodos, & ask Eric White)

• Ethical or social capital markets (goal to increase capital pools to finance social enterprises)

• Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN)

• Venture Philanthropy

• Social-Ethical Bank Loans (see r3.0)

• University: Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship of the Saïd Business School, Oxford

• Foundations and NGOs: The Schwab Foundation, Kellogg, Ashoka Foundation

• Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship networking platform

• World Economic Forum (?)

• Consultancies such as Ernst & Young or the Boston Consulting Group, with Yunus Social Business

• Government Partnerships: Costa Rica

• Business Incubators & Accelerators

• Business Incubators for counseling; space; networks; and mentorship (last 1-4 years); Prestart-up phase; little experience, few (if any) employees

• Business Accelerators for financing; space; training; mentorship; technical support; legal and administrative. Last 3-6 months; competitive selection. Often enter after start-up stage; 1-2 employees; typically experienced

• Agora Partnerships (Latin America)

• Conscious Venture Lab / Changelabs (US, Global)

• Echoing Green (US, Global)

• Hult Prize Foundation / Challenge (US, Global)

• Uncharted (US, Global)

• Village Capital (US, Global)

• Global Social Venture Competition (UC Berkley Haas School of Business)

• Regenerative Travel insights/connections

RESOURCES

BOOKS AND PODCASTS THAT HAVE PARTICULARLY INFLUENTIAL TO KIMBERLY’S DEVELOPMENT

*Starred items have been assigned as class readings for undergraduate or graduate classes

*Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems

*Kate Raworth, Donut Economics: 7 ways to think like a 21-st century economist

*Paul Hawken, Drawdown, Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation, And Blessed Unrest

*Joanna Macy And Molly Brown, Coming Back to Life

*Macy And Johnstone, Active Hope

Karl Bonnedahl And Pasi Heikkurinen, Editors, Strongly Sustainable Societies

Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering

Chris Anderson, TED Talks

*Parker Palmer, Healing the Heart of Democracy; A Hidden Wholeness; Let Your Life Speak

*Alex Evans, The Myth Gap Wendell Berry, What Are People For? The Unsettling of America

Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, and James Macanfuo, Gamestorming

* Daniel Christian Wahl, Designing Regenerative Cultures

*Jonathan Hight, The Righteous Mind

*Jane McGonigal, Reality Is Broken and Super Better

*Carol Stanford, The Regenerative Business

Atkins Wilson And Hayes, ProSocial: Using evolutionary science to build productive, equitable, and collaborative groups

*Walker And Salt, Resilience Thinking and Resilience Practice

Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate Roy Rappaport, Ecology Meaning and Religion

David Suzuki, The Sacred Balance

Tim Brown, Change by Design

Steven Brown, Political Subjectivity

John Cabot-Zinn, Full Catastrophe Living

*Dryzek, Debating the Earth and The Politics of The Earth

David Takaacs, The Idea of Biodiversity

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, Designing Your Life

Mary Pipher, Reviving Ophelia, and The Green Boat

Anthony Hodgson, Systems Thinking for a Turbulent World Booth, Colomb and Williams, The Craft of Research

Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth

RESOURCES 2

BOOKS AND PODCASTS THAT HAVE PARTICULARLY INFLUENTIAL TO KIMBERLY’S DEVELOPMENT

*Starred items have been assigned as class readings for undergraduate or graduate classes

*Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L Hunter Lovins, Natural Capitalism

*Charles Eisenstein, Climate: A New Story

Linda Nilson, Teaching at Its Best

Joseph Campbell, The Hero’s Journey

Ervin Laszlo, The Wisdom Principles

*Peter Stroh, Systems Thinking for Social Change

Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food; The Omnivore's Dilemma; The Botany of Desire

Thomas Friedman, The World Is Flat

CG Jung, The Undiscovered Self

Fritjof Capra, The Tao of Physics

*Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

EO Wilson, The Diversity of Life Ann Garry, et al, Women Knowledge and Reality

Christopher Stone, Earth and Other Ethics

*Bill Cronon, Changes in The Land; The Trouble with Wilderness; Uncommon Ground

*Caldecott, In Defense of The Land Ethic

*Daniel Quinn, Ishmael

*Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone

Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses

Barry Lopez, Of Wolves and Men

David Quammen, Song of the Dodo and Planet of Weeds

*George Sessions, editor, Deep Ecology for the 21st Century

*Bonnie McCay and James Acheson, The Question of The Commons

Linda Rector Page, Cooking for Healthy Healing

David Korten, Change the Story, Change the Future

*Riane Eisler, The Real Wealth of Nations

Naomi Klein, This Changes Everything

Carol Bly, Changing the Bully Who Rules the World

*Raj Patel, The Value of Nothing

*Bill McKibben, Deep Economy

James Roberts, Shiny Objects

Bigelow And Swinehart, A People's Curriculum for the Earth

Anders Edwards, The Sustainability Revolution

RESOURCES 3

BOOKS AND PODCASTS THAT HAVE PARTICULARLY INFLUENTIAL TO KIMBERLY’S DEVELOPMENT

*Starred items have been assigned as class readings for undergraduate or graduate classes

David Abrahams, The Spell of the Sensuous and Becoming Animal

*Climate Central, Global Weirdness

*Vandanta Shiva, Earth Democracy and Soil Not Oil

*Desjardins, Environmental Ethics

*Van Jones, The Green Collar Economy

Peter Barnes, Capitalism 3.0

Macadam and Snow, Social Movements

Rob Hopkins, The Transition Handbook

Elizabeth Dodson Gray, Green Paradise Lost

*Norton, Toward Unity Among Environmentalists

*Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature

*Devall and Sessions, Deep Ecology

*William McDonough And Michael Braungart, The UpCycle and Cradle to Cradle

Adriane Maree Brown, Emergent Strategy

*Gunderson, Holling, and Light, Barriers and Bridges to the Renewal of Ecosystems and Institutions

*Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness

Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees

*Cunningham & Cunningham, Environmental Science: A Global Concern

Meffe and Carol, Principles of Conservation Biology

Chappin, Kofinas, and Folke, Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship

*Biggs, Schluter, and Schoon, Principles for Building Resilience

*Scott, Amel, Koger, and Manning, Psychology for Sustainability

*Julian Agyeman, Just Sustainabilities

Michel Gelobter, Lean Startups for Social Change

*Influential