MINDFULNESS
Q&A with Celeste Giannas.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we sat down with Into The Wild Escapes Founder, Celeste Giannas to hear more about her journey into the world of entrepreneurship, her best piece of advice and the transformative power of a tiny home escape.
March 2024
Our story started in 2017. Three over-worked friends with one simple mission. Reconnect with our families in the comfort of nature. We’re a growing team of ex-corporates trading high-rises in for mountain ranges and leading a movement to inspire simple living across Australia.
Our eco-wellness escapes are made for people to pause their busy lives and rewild. Just like nature needing to restore and heal, we believe the same to be true for humans. We wanted to empower people across Australia through travel by offering immersive experiences in nature that encourage self-discovery, foster connections, and inspire exploration.
Into The Wild Escapes was founded by women who understand the demands of modern life, including work and family responsibilities. It’s been our vision to create the ideal sanctuary to promote wellness and rejuvenation and I believe our tiny homes do just that.
The business is predominantly run by a team of incredible females, the Founder group are mothers and the primary caregivers to 6 children between us. Founding Into The Wild Escapes in 2017, through our children’s formative years has been both an empowering and challenging experience and honestly it hasn’t always been easy.
Founding a startup comes with an array of challenges. There are many sleepless nights and stresses that come with the job. The irony is that as a business Into The Wild Escapes is trying to offer an antidote to these stresses and so we force ourselves to practice what we preach as much as possible. Facing challenges has shaped my entrepreneurial approach to embrace adversity as opportunities for growth and innovation, it’s also taught me that it truly takes a village to get everything done from work to family life.
I have a great network behind me and I have really learnt to lean into my ‘villages’ from parents, my husband James, friends, nanny’s, babysitters, my incredible work family and corporate partners.
The lack of female representation and mentorship in leadership roles poses a significant barrier, I really felt like there was no-one I could look up to in a similar role. It’s so important that we create inclusive environments in each and every workplace. Offering mentorship programs and challenging unconscious biases are also crucial steps toward fostering female leadership.
Absolutely! One of the most unforgettable moments I’ve experienced involved a guest who was initially hesitant about the idea of staying in a tiny home in the wild.
As they immersed themselves in the simplicity of their surroundings and disconnected from the hustle and bustle of everyday life their perspective began to shift. This lovely guest shared with me how their time in the tiny home had completely transformed their outlook. They had a newfound sense of freedom, unburdened by distractions, which is exactly what we hope our guests can take away from their time in nature. It was a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of travel and the incredible impact that immersing oneself in a different way of life can have.
One particular example stands out vividly. It revolves around a remarkable housekeeper, formerly a nurse, residing in a modest shack on a rural property where we placed one of our tiny houses. Initially lacking basic amenities like a car or washing machine, her life underwent a profound change after joining us. Today, she not only can afford essential items but also has assurance of financial stability. Since our inception, she has been an integral part of our journey, evolving from a colleague to a cherished friend.
Equally gratifying is the support we’ve extended to our farming partners during challenging times in recent years. Through our land leasing arrangements, many have been able to procure crucial animal feed, in doing so enduring tough periods with resilience. Furthermore, our collaboration provides them with a platform to showcase their pristine lands and quality produce to our guests, fostering a culture of local support and appreciation.
It’s so important firstly to believe in yourself. Learn to embrace challenges and see them as opportunities to grow. Network and seek mentorship, stay adaptable and finally, never underestimate the power of your own resilience and determination.
Embrace your uniqueness, trust your instincts, and never underestimate your worth. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.
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