Bestselling Author Daniel Pink Takes Note Of VocationVacations in DRIVE
In his latest book, DRIVE, New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink “peels back the onion” to reveal the surprising truth of what really motivates us in our careers and life. Pink says it is our inherent need to “direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” Money alone, he says, simply does not motivate or drive us.

We want to share with you Mr. Pink’s comments on the innovative concept behind VocationVacations included on page 31 of his book:

“Once again, certain bedrock notions suddenly seem less sturdy. Take the curious example of VocationVacations. This is a business in which people pay their hard-earned money…to work at another job. They use their vacation time to test-drive being a chef, running a bike shop, or operating an animal shelter. The emergence of this and similar ventures suggests that work, which economists have always considered a “disutility” (something we’d avoid unless we received a payment in return), is becoming a “utility” (something we’d pursue even in the absence of a tangible return).”

It is not just because Mr. Pink mentions VocationVacations that we highly recommend DRIVE. The book is for anyone who is motivated and determined to tap into and channel his or her passions, skills and strengths to create a lifestyle/career balance which evokes fulfillment and happiness.

We highly recommend Daniel Pink’s DRIVE .

Corporate Project Manager, Beth Lemke, Becomes Wine Bar Owner!
Beth Lemke, Pacifica, CA, was in her late thirties when she decided it was time to get serious about opening a wine bar. She had worked in marketing positions with non-profit art groups and high-tech businesses for more than 15 years. However, it was never the right fit for her, and she found herself either choosing to leave a position or being laid off in the continually changing high-tech industry. “It was like a revolving door,” laughs Beth.

When she was laid off again from a high-tech position in spring of 2008, Beth decided to take some business classes and get serious about the possibility of opening a wine bar. “I wanted to create a space where people could come together, relax, connect and enjoy their surroundings,” Beth explains. “And an opportunity that would feed my entrepreneurial and creative nature and fill Pacifica’s need for a fun and upscale meeting place to enjoy a fine glass of wine.”
Read more!

Is It YOUR Time?
Do you want more flexibility and creativity in what you do and to feel more fulfilled at the end of the day? Then it’s time to test-drive your dream career through one of our four choices of career mentorship starting at just $160:

1. Wine Industry VocationVacation 360
Did Beth Lemke’s story of getting into the wine business inspire you to pursue your interest in a career in the wine industry? Then our Wine Industry VocationVacation 360 is just the ticket to help you create your action plan.

The workshop will provide a 360-degree perspective on the many aspects of the wine industry. You will meet professionals in all areas of the industry receiving expert instruction from wine makers, an educator, a wine-industry attorney, a wine distributor and a vineyard manager. In one day, you will have the chance to gain insights from and ask questions of these professionals – a one-stop-shopping, comprehensive mentorship experience. Plus, you will have the chance to meet other people interested in a career in wine and share questions and knowledge with them.

When? January 15, 2011
Where? Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn in McMinnville, Oregon, an hour south of Portland in the Pinot Noir growing region in the beautiful Willamette Valley
Will there be food and wine? Of course! We will host a light lunch, and Youngberg Hill’s owner and winemaker, Wayne Bailey, will host a phenomenal wine maker’s dinner in the evening: a perfect way to end a full day of learning how to work in the wine industry.
Price: $399 per person. Book your spot online or call us at 503.720.4282. Space is limited.  And what a wonderful holiday gift for a loved one!

2. Small-Group VocationVacations
A Small-Group VocationVacation provides you with all the benefits of being mentored by one of our credentialed and successful expert mentors, while also gaining knowledge from three to six other vocationers who have similar questions, concerns and fears as you do about making a career transition. So, you can now test-drive a job or owning your own business with other like-minded people…a real value-added opportunity to your mentorship!

To see details, check mentorship dates or book your Small-Group VocationVacation, visit www.VocationVacations.com .  Don’t see the type of small-group mentorship you’re looking for? Let us know and we’ll work on introducing it.

3. One-On-One VocationVacations
Thousands of people have test-driven their dream careers since 2004 while on a VocationVacation. To review the list of 180 different types of careers you can test-drive or to book your VocationVacation, visit www.VocationVacations.com .

4. Phone Mentorship
Not quite ready to commit to the time and cost of a face-to-face mentorship? No problem. With VocationVacations Phone Mentorship , you will have three one-hour career mentorship planning discussions in the comfort of your own home with one of our expert mentors. You and your mentor will schedule mutually available discussion times for you to call your mentor.

To see details or book your Phone Mentorship, visit www.VocationVacations.com .  Don’t see the type of phone mentorship you’re looking for? Let us know and we’ll work on introducing it.

GIVE THE MOST CREATIVE & MEANINGFUL GIFT THIS YEAR
If a loved one has been laid off in the Great Recession or is simply burned out on the job, VocationVacations gift certificates are the perfect gift for someone with everything - other than fulfillment and passion in their work. The gift certificates may be applied to any of our four forms of mentorship, and they do not have expiration dates.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE VAL AGOSTA MEMORIAL VOCATIONVACATIONS SCHOLARSHIP IS NOVEMBER 15!
Val Agosta was an outstanding private investigator VocationVacations mentor, cancer warrior, a total “hoot” and an inspiration to many. In her memory, we are thrilled to present the 2nd annual Val Agosta Memorial VocationVacations Scholarship . If you are facing adversity and imagine a VocationVacation giving you the opportunity to come up for air and focus on your career action plan, then apply NOW!

Last year’s scholarship winner, Christine Cronin, a bank manager from St. Augustine, Florida, test-drove her dream job as a non-profit director this past July. She is now full speed ahead in establishing a cowboy and cowgirl non-profit “dude ranch” for seriously ill children. The Wyoming ranch will be in memory of Christine’s daughter who died of cancer.

“The scholarship made me realize how ready I was for a change. It was an amazing experience! Since returning from my VocationVacation in July, I've put some of my plans into motion. I have rented my condo in Florida after almost three years of trying to sell it, and I'll be moving to Colorado later this month. I will be within an hour drive to my property in Wyoming and can begin working on my plans for Santa Sara Ranch. I have also been taking riding lessons for about two months now and plan on passing this knowledge on to the "cowpokes" who come to the ranch. Thanks to the Val Agosta Memorial VocationVacations Scholarship I've had the opportunity to explore my dream and now make it come true. Thank you!”
Christine Cronin

Apply

BRIAN KURTH: SPEAKER, WORKSHOP LEADER AND SPOKESPERSON
Do you need a speaker who will inspire your audience and provide them with a call-to-action? Do you want a “brass tacks” workshop leader who will help the attendees create their own action plan? Are you searching for just the right person to endorse and increase your product’s brand awareness?

Brian Kurth, president of VocationVacations, media contributor and author of Test-Drive Your Dream Job – A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love (Hachette, 2008), has the ability to connect with all types of audiences and is ready to share his wit, wisdom and experience to help others find more fulfillment in their career and life.

“The mix of candor, concrete advice and real-life stories adds up to a must-read for those who are ready to shove aside the status quo and take a chance at a more satisfying career.” — USA TODAY comments on Brian’s book

Brian has provided career mentorship, transition and reinvention (MTR) advice on NBC’s TODAY Show, CNN, CNBC, FOX News, MSNBC and NPR, and has been featured in articles in O, The Oprah Magazine; The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Fortune, Men’s Journal and Black Enterprise Magazine, just to name a few. He has spoken to a diverse group of companies and groups including AARP, Ameriprise, Disney, Intel, Microsoft and many universities and alumni associations.

For more information on retaining Brian Kurth as a speaker, workshop leader or spokesperson/endorser contact:
Dianne Haines
dianne@vocationvacations.com (note two n’s in Dianne’s name)
503-939-0121

Network With Brian and the VocationVacations Team!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/Vocation-Vacations/146077302101959?v=app_4949752878&ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BrianKurth
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/briankurth
Blog: http://blog.briankurth.com/