Meet Jamie Larson | Non-profit Co-founder and Travel Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Larson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I feel like taking risk is truly what will separate people from being successful and people staying complacent and not taking their businesses/ventures to the next level.

When starting any of my businesses and my non-profit, taking risks has never been a question to me; it was just something I had to do. With The Hearts Company of course we had no idea if anyone would support our cause in Cambodia and actually donate. But we were so inspired by our students and teachers out there that we knew we just had to find a way to make it work. We took risks, we did things that at the time, we thought were impossible and now here we are! Having supported 4 schools, over 900 students, over 25 teachers now and growing!

This goes the same with any of my businesses that I take risks in. Of course some fail, but that’s part of the process! It’s all about how you get up and recover from those failures, shake it off and continue to take those risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am the Co-founder of a Non-Profit organization called The Hearts Company as well as a travel company founder called Wander With Jamie.

What I’m most proud of with The Hearts Company is the amount of growth we’ve had in our impact in Cambodia as well as how many obstacles we have successfully overcome over the years. I am EXTREMELY proud to know that our US Team and Founders work 100% off of a volunteer basis. None of our team here in the US, including myself, have ever taken a salary, this has purely been a passion project from the start and we are able to pour 100% of our donations into our mission, teachers and students in Cambodia.

Now to say it has been easy would be a lie. Of course we’ve had plenty of obstacles to overcome including year round fundraising to fund hundreds of students and teachers that rely on us, overcoming a global pandemic and so much more. But what I’ve learned from it all is that even when emotions and stress get high in negative situations, you can only control so much. Take a step back when things get chaotic and seem to be caving in, feel those feelings of anxiety and stress, then dive into how to take your next steps to find a solution or make changes.

This doesn’t just go for the Non-Profit, this applies to my travel company as well!

I would love for the world to know that both The Hearts Company and Wander With Jamie are passion projects that come from the heart. Both companies have the goal of making a positive impact in people’s lives. I truly want people to feel inspired to get out there, live their lives, explore the world and give back to people in need.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Haha well, I unfortunately travel almost full time now! I’m currently in Peru doing this interview but Houston is still my home base.

I actually worked in the nightlife industry for over 10 years as a bartender in Houston, as an event coordinator out there and so much more haha. I would definitely look for a great patio vibe to go watch a game or something, I’d take them to Kirby Ice House in River Oaks. That’s one of my fave spots in Houston for a sunny day out on a patio for beers. Then maybe I’d take them for dinner to El Tiempo or Gen Korean BBQ, two of my favorite spots in Houston to eat!

Another one of my favorite things to do is enjoy the Korean Spa! I frequent Gangnam Spa and recommend this spot for anyone needing a relaxing, detoxifying day.

Also, I know Rodeo season is right around the corner so I would suggest for my friends to come down during rodeo season so I could take them to the cook off to party the night away! Of course I’d bring them to the actual rodeo as well to see a performer and witness the infamous mutton busting!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Well firstly GOD! He truly has made miracles happen in my life and I am forever grateful.

But besides him, I don’t want to generalize and lump all my loved ones into a group but I kind of have to. Without my extremely supportive family and friends, I wouldn’t have the courage to take these massive leaps of faith to create the life and businesses that I have. I’m sure most of my ventures seem outlandish to some, but my loved ones have always been 100% supportive without fail and this means more to me than they’ll ever know.

Website: www.theheartsco.org and www.wanderwithjamie.com

Instagram: @Thehearts.co and @wanderwithjamie