Hi! How have you been? Home is where the heart is... October 2017

Hi! How have you been?  Home is where the heart is... October 2017

How many people here love getting newsletters in their Inbox? Not me! That's why I decided to only send my Truli fans 4 E-Letters a year! For me, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past 3 months and for you, well, less email flooding your inbox. Also, my goal is for you to actually OPEN your email and stay in touch with me. I Truli love connecting with other passionate water woman.

Looking back at the last 3 months, some very interesting and (dare I say it?) "life-changing" things happened. I kinda love it when life itself shakes things up for me and forces me to re-think my original plans. Well...love may not have been the word I used at the time, but I'm loving it now!

As you may know, in 2014 I moved to the Turks & Caicos Islands and began working for a scuba liveaboard company there. In the beginning, I worked as crew on the boat for a year and then I moved over to admin work and living on island. In the evenings and on weekends I continued to run my women's wetsuit business. It's been a lot of work, but such a cool experience! I was pretty tired a lot of the time, but I'm also an expert at having fun - so I definitely enjoyed myself! I don't take anything for granted!

Mia enjoying life in Turks & Caicos

But, this all changed only a few days after I sent my 3rd Quarter E-Letter on July 7th, 2017. The Turks & Caicos government refused to renew my work permit and I suddenly had 2 weeks to leave the island! Normally a sudden change like this - even if it required an international move - wouldn't faze me. I've spent most of my life living and working outside of my home-country of Canada. In fact, over the last 17 years, only 7 have been in Canada. The other 10 years I worked in: Japan, Oman, The Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, and the Turks & Caicos Islands, not to mention some fun adventurous travels to about 20 other countries along the way!

There is a lot of unpredictability of living overseas that many people don't realize. So, my first reaction was to find another Caribbean destination to spend my time. But I quickly recognized, I couldn't figure this all out in 2 weeks time. I needed to head back to "Home-Base" in Toronto to re-group and make a plan. But, while all this was going on for me down south, my father had finally taken the plunge and sold our childhood home (aka my Home-Base!).

I've been fortunate that over the years with the support of my family, I've always had a place to come home to in Toronto. This allowed me to set-up my business even while I travelled and worked abroad. I can't tell you how much this has helped me considering the unpredictable nature of travel.

Home-base for Truli Wetsuits

Without a definite place to call home, I arrived back in Toronto at the end of July with as many possessions as I could carry. This was the beginning of a challenging couch-surfing life (including a stint on a sailboat) while I figured out my next steps.

Mia figuring out where to live next on a sailboat

I continued to run my business and tried to work for the scuba liveaboard company online, but it didn't work. I quit soon after coming home and focused 100% on Truli. On a whim, I signed up to sell Truli at a few summer festivals with big success!

Truli Wetsuits at the Port Credit Boat Show 2017

And in September, I took a trip to the motherland of wetsuits - California - for some market research. On my flights and greyhound bus trips, I finalized the design for the much coveted new Truli Wetsuit!

As the weeks went by and I wrote and re-wrote my new life plans, one key factor kept coming to the forefront - Home-Base.

Travelling the world is fun and has been integral in the development and design of my products. But in order for the business to grow, I need a solid foundation. Especially in a place like Canada that gives me the freedom to come and go as I please and won't ask me to leave! With that in mind, I refreshed my business plan, studied my financials and made a plan for 2018. My refreshed vision allows me to create a home of my own that I will always be able to come back to. It's been a long time since I've said this, but...I'm excited to be back in Canada!

I'm a different person now. I know that's an obvious statement. As humans, we grow and adapt as life and experiences happen - whether we acknowledge it or not.

I've always loved coming home to see my Canadian family and friends, but until now, I never felt a longing to stay. The underwater world, water sports and cultural exchanges of living overseas seemed to inspire me more. This time though, the desire for success in business is out-weighing my personal needs. Kitesurfing whenever I want or going for a mid-February ocean dip on a sunny day are just going to have to wait. Bring on snow-kiting and maybe even ice-diving! Who knows? Maybe inspiration for a Truli dry-suit may ensue!

So, I start (another) new chapter in my life that I can't wait to share with you. This feeling I have right now reminds me of whenever I'm about to embark on a trip somewhere new. My travels will never be over, but for now they will be to/from Toronto. Home is where the heart is.


3 comments

  • Lisa

    You are truli amazing! This is a great post and thoughtful perspective. Can’t wait to see all that you accomplish (and especially the next truli design)!

  • Laurel

    Thanks for this great update! Welcome home! I’d love to move to Canada one day too… xx

  • Lucy Stryland

    Always inspiring. Love hearing from you.


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