Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2005)
may 20. 2005 » jllSt OUt 13 nTTHTWRTlnews "Tfr ou’re staring at the computer moni- k ' tor at your workaday job, under whelmed by your routine. As your mind wanders from its rut, you fan- ■Jk tasize about being [your dream job here] for a day. But it takes guts to walk away from a steady paycheck and the security of knowing where to be at 9 a.m. Not anymore, thanks to Vocation Vacations, the brainchild of gay Portland entrepreneur Brian Kurth. “1 don’t like to say that we’re changing peo ple’s lives because it’s overly dramatic, but we’re giving them a tool to change their own lives, risk-free,” said Kurth, who began rhe business in January 2004. Vocation Vacations is the opportunity to test-drive your dream job, for just a couple of days, without sacrificing your current gig. The idea struck like lightning while Kurth was sitting in traffic, imagining a different life for himself. When both he and his ex-boyfriend were laid off from their hoity Fortune 500 jobs in Chicago on the same day, change was immi nent. They sold the condo and moved to Port land, and Kurth began growing his business. A few vocations available for sampling include animal therapist, auctioneer, dog day care owner, cowboy b<x)t maker, play director, stylist, wedding planner, river rafting tour guide, vintner, wine retailer, innkeeper, brew master, horse trainer, cheese maker, race car driver, hunting and fishing guide, professional gardener, professional golfer, pastry chef, chocolatier, tele vision producer and even news reporter. Though many Vocation Vacations are Portland-based, the business is growing rapidly and is adding more options nationwide and even internationally. Vocation Vacations are R isk -F ree V ocationing Test-drive your dream job by Jaymee R. Cuti offered in 23 states and the United Kingdom. Linda Nardin of Con necticut was the perfect candidate for a Vocation Vacation. The former IBM executive was laid off after working 23 years as the company’s public relations and internal communica tion specialist. She spent a re-education stipend on three Vocation Vacations in Portland last month. “It was really a great tool to move away from the large, institutional, corpo rate life that I had led for so many years. I wanted to focus on being a serious stu dent of small business,” she said. Brian Kurth (left) whips up a batch of yum with baker Tim Healea. While Nardin may not actually take up one of the professions she test-drove—a wine maker, she will abandon corporate life forever. a baker and a florist—she says she will benefit “1 would love to work for myself, and I defi from the exposure to a different life. nitely want to work for a small business. The “I’ve come back now realizing life isn’t only pace that they work at and the ambiance is very big business. Small businesses are alive and refreshing,” she said. flourishing,” Nardin said. Nardin reported for duty before sunrise at the Nardin and her husband, empty nesters, are Pearl Bakery in Northwest Portland to try her planning a move to Florida, where Nardin says skills as a baker. “You can’t really teach someone to bake in two days, but you can give them an impression of what life is like as a baker,” said Tim Healea, principal baker and Vexation Vacation mentor. “In two days, you’ll find out whether you love it or hate it, because there are things you learn about the business that are chal lenging, like the hours. The hours are brutal.” Nardin’s introduction to Pearl Bakery included bread shaping, croissant making and a business analysis. Vexation Vacation packages range from approximately $600 to $5,000. According to Nardin, the experience is well worth the expense. “How many people would have been willing to say, ‘Come in, sit down, and I’ll tell you everything about my business?’ The mentors love what they do and are able to share that passion with people who express an interest in it,” she said. Kurth concurs that the men tors are priceless. “This provides the one-on- one mentorship that you can’t always get by taking a class,” he said. A Vocation Vacation also includes career counseling. Besides the expanding business, Vexation Vacations will soon be a travel show. Discovery Communications has produced a pilot, which will air this summer. jm For more information about VOCATION V acations visit wuw.vocationvacations .com. Offer good through May 31, 2005 Imagine never having to shave or wax again. Sona MedSpa is the leader in laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation. While you relax in a comfortable spa-like environment, our licensed medical staff use FDA-approved lasers along with state-of-the-art procedures to remove everything from fine lines, age spots, and wrinkles to active acne, uneven skin tones, and unwanted hair. So you can always feel confident that you are letting your best self show. 30% OFF ANY LASER HAIR REMOVAL PACKAGE - Call 503.253.SONA (7662) Or visit sonamedspa.com/portland SW Barnes Road, Suite 150, Portland, OR 97225 Located in Peterkort Centre III directly off the Barnes Road exit from US 26, adjacent to St Vincent Hospital sona medspa reveal your self
