Founder of The Lawn, Single Fin, Times Beach Warung & Skool Kitchen

Ultimately, the main goal was to be the captain of my own ship, which led me to building a life I truly love.
Tell us your story – how did you get here?
Bali came about through my family. My mother relocated here in the late 80s, so I grew up back and forth between here and Australia. After school, I moved over permanently to try and figure out what I was doing with my life! I was chasing the surfing tour, and even though that didn’t quite work out as planned, I still loved surfing and wanted it to be a part of my daily life. I found a way to make that happen, by blending my love of music, surf, and bringing people together for a good time. Fast forward 20 years or so and I’m still doing exactly that, just on a slightly different scale. Ultimately, the main goal was to be the captain of my own ship, which led me to building a life I truly love.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My family. I love my family more than anything in the world. It’s been awesome to go through different chapters in life, personal achievements, reaching business goals, connecting and broadening circles, while at the same time narrowing them down to more meaningful relationships. I look back and I’m proud of the things I’ve done in life and the position I’ve put myself in. That comes with chasing your dreams and doing things that align with your values, but also with surrounding yourself with the right people. Accomplishments are cool and all, but I’m more excited about what the future brings, how I’m going to evolve in my professional and personal life, and most of all, to be there to support my wife and our kids as they grow up and start to take on their own challenges in life.
What impact have you made in Bali?
That’s a hard one to answer. But I guess I’d like to be remembered as the guy who helped bring people together. Connecting people from different cultures and different communities for good times, but also bringing ideas on how to make things better; better for the environment, and better for the people in it. Bali and the people of Bali allow that to happen more than anywhere in the world. I think Bali has made more of an impact on people than people have made an impact on Bali.
What does the future look like for you?
I’ve got a few new ventures that I’ve been working on; a couple things that I’m super passionate about that I can’t wait to share. And more time with my family and on surf trips. It sounds crazy to try to think you can have it all, but you can if you make it happen. You’ve just gotta make it happen!
What do you love most about Bali?
The people, the culture, the energy, the environment and the waves. It’s truly one of the most special places in the world and I’m very grateful to be a part of the community here.
Who is your Local Legend and why?
I have a lot of guys I look up to. Ronald Akili is a dear friend of mine who I admire – he’s the founder and CEO of Potato Head. He’s changing the game instead of just playing the game. He’s championing his home country and taking it to the world as opposed to bringing in the big brands, showing the world you can be cool and sustainable. And he’s also just a good family dude. I also really admire a couple of young surfers, young friends of mine Rio Waida and Kailani Johnson. Both of these young kids represented Indonesia on the world surfing stage. They both have the ability and the mindset to become the first Indonesians to qualify for the WSL Tour. I love seeing people chase their dreams!