Step lightly.
Cultivating Sustainable Travel with Cornish Gems Founder Nadia Macer-Wright
How can we help people make better choices when they travel, while helping them heal before, during and after their holiday?
If you’d like to explore the hidden gem that is Cornwall listen this week to Brave New Girls podcast guest Nadia Macer-Wright founder of Cornish Gems. Proudly independent and B-corp certified, they curate memorable and restorative holiday experiences in Cornwall.
But Nadia’s entrepreneurial journey started when she found herself sitting in a bustling London office, surrounded by the noise and chaos of urban life, and feeling an overwhelming sense of disconnection. Her career seemed far removed from the natural, serene childhood she’d had in rural Wales. She yearned for a life that mirrored her values: sustainability, community, and connection to nature.
Nadia grappled with the realisation that her current lifestyle clashed with her core beliefs. The fast-paced city environment offered little space for the sustainable practices she valued. The gap between her current reality and her aspirations needed to change.
Nadia wanted to reconnect with the tranquility of nature and to make a tangible impact on the environment and community. She envisioned a business that could harmonise happy holidays with sustainability, proving that we don’t have to sacrifice comfort for eco-consciousness.
She decided to leave London and invest her energy into Cornish Gems, a holiday property management company in Cornwall. This decision was fuelled by her ambition to create a business that not only thrived economically but also contributed positively to the local community and environment.
Starting Cornish Gems was, like any business, filled with challenges, from attaining B Corp certification to redefining luxury travel. Each step required innovation and a steadfast commitment to her values. The process was fraught with difficulties, pushing Nadia to her limits yet also expanding her understanding of what is possible.
Nadia’s childhood, immersed in a low-impact, environmentally conscious setting, became the blueprint for her business model. Her vision was clear: living and working authentically, in alignment with one’s values, not only enhances personal well-being but also catalyses broader change.
For listeners of Brave New Girls podcast, Nadia’s story is a roadmap. It illustrates that personal values can guide our professional endeavours and that it's possible to succeed without compromising on what truly matters to us. Her approach offers a powerful template for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in their life and work.
With sustainability and community at the heart of everything they do, they offer unique experiences that take you deep into the Cornish way of life. Nadia shares with us the joy of holidaying in Cornwall, giving us the opportunity to step lightly into the magic of its land and its people. She also shows us that even in through the ups and down of entrepreneurship we can hold on to our dream to support people, places and the planet.
Actionable Steps Inspired by Nadia’s work
Identify Your Core Values: Understand what truly matters to you and let these principles guide your decisions.
Seek Alignment: Align your personal and professional life with these values for greater fulfilment and impact.
Embrace Challenges as Opportunities: Use obstacles as chances to innovate and strengthen your commitment.
Commit to Continuous Learning: Stay open to new ideas and approaches that can enhance your work and personal growth.
Build Community Connections: Engage with local communities and stakeholders to ensure mutual benefits.
Prioritize Sustainability: Implement sustainable practices in every aspect of your business or lifestyle.
Advocate for Change: Use your voice and platform to influence and educate others about important issues.
Practice Resilience: Be prepared to adapt and persist through setbacks.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate progress along your journey, no matter how small.
Inspire Others: Share your story to motivate others to embark on their own journeys of impactful change.
Nadia Macer-Wright transforms personal values into a thriving, sustainable business model with Cornish Gems.
PS. Listen HERE to NADIA’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.
