About us
The mission, values, and story, behind Third Nature
Our mission
You deserve to love your life
We exist to help you gain clarity on what a fulfilling life looks like for you, and feel inspired and prepared with the resources necessary to build it. We do this by creating spaces, moments, and experiences where you feel empowered to be your true, full self, surrounded by a supportive, uplifting community.
Our values
Whether you own a business or not, you are the CEO of your life
Below are some of our community’s values, beliefs, and ways of living. This has been a co-creation, contributed to by hundreds of people in the Third Nature (formerly known as Startup Island) community over the course of 9 years. We believe community values to be iterative and malleable – as our community grows, you have the power to help shape these values with your contributions.
Authenticity
We believe that your best self is your true, full self, and feel the most rewarding form of growth comes in becoming more us – as individuals and as a community. When in a Third Nature setting, the figurative masks come off – there’s no need to perform or impress anyone. You’ll be celebrated for being the most you version of you.
Community
We believe in the power of a community that is diverse in identity, background, experience, and ideology, where everyone’s health, happiness, fulfillment and success matters. We know that we always have something to learn and something to teach, and enter conversations, relationships, and experiences with a beginner’s curiosity. We believe that education never ends, and learning is most fulfilling when done in community.
Ownership
In every area of your life, you are the key decision maker, strategist, manager, and stakeholder. When we take personal responsibility, we create the conditions necessary for true freedom and fulfillment. When you own who you are and your unique strengths, you can begin to turn strengths into superpowers. Our roots in entrepreneurial thinking and development will always be a part of who we are.
Fun
We take our work seriously, but not too seriously. We value personal wellness and energy management, plus time to disconnect, reflect, and play as ways to inspire creativity. We believe a life well lived is one where we’re having fun and there’s always an adventure to look forward to.
Our Story
This business, like anything else, has evolved over time
In October of 2015, we launched the first Startup Island trip as an alternative spring break for college entrepreneurs. Through our own startup experience prior to that, we knew that pursuing an entrepreneurial lifestyle could be lonely and isolating — like it’s you against the world. But we also felt and witnessed the sighs of relief that came from connecting with others who were trudging a similar path.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed hundreds of people onto our trips, and into our community – including many who aren’t entrepreneurs. At least not in the traditional sense of the word. We’ve realized that this thirst for purpose and connection is prevalent across all walks of life, and we had created a program that provided just that.
As our community expanded outside of the startup world, we began to consider changing the name of our business from Startup Island to something that better reflected how our offering and community had evolved. What started as travel experiences for young entrepreneurs, evolved into a personal growth platform for anyone who considered themselves entrepreneurial minded.
After many internal conversations and debates, gathering an incredible amount of feedback, culminating in one particularly impactful ideation session, Third Nature was born.
Why Third Nature
We wanted to choose a new brand name that better encompasses everything that we do, and gives us the creative freedom to expand as we grow. Rather than focusing on the “what,” we aimed to find a name that touched on our “why” and the core value that we provide.
If first nature is how we’re genetically predisposed to be…
and second nature is our conditioned, mechanical response – those habits and ways of being that have become automatic and engrained over time as a result of our environment…
Third Nature is a more intentional, conscious, and thoughtful way of showing up in the world. It’s a self-aware way of being that understands our unique first and second nature, and gives us the power and freedom to choose who we are and who we want to be.
Our People
The foundation of everything we are
We understand that fulfillment, happiness, health, and success look different for everyone. We know how difficult it can be to hear your own inner voice amidst the onslaught of information and influences from friends, family, teachers, social media, and society at large.
That’s why we’re committed to forming a community where members are defined not by their professional title, but by their desire to form their own definition of success, take ownership over their lives, create positive impact, and have a whole lot of fun.
Ready to join us?
Weekly newsletter
An email you'll actually look forward to
Our newsletter is a great way to learn more about the people behind Third Nature, get a better feel for the community, and receive ideas, stories, and lessons to support you on your journey to a more fulfilling, meaningful life.