The Urgency Network recently sent the winner of the Ten Island Renewable Challenge campaign, David C. of Santiago, Chile, to New York City to meet Sir Richard Branson and attend the exclusive Carbon War Room NYC Office Launch event. For details about his once-in-a-lifetime experience, read on!
What was it like meeting Richard Branson and attending the Carbon War Room’s NYC office launch?
DC: As a whole the experience of meeting such an interesting team of people is always mind opening and is able to generate a creative environment. Richard Branson is truly amazing and his views on how to live life are inspiring. He has found the way to do what he loves for a living, enjoy it, play hard and help communities in the process. Every aspect of that is motivating. His team is diverse and full of people who bring different visions, ideas and ways to challenge what is being done. Talking to all of them and listening to their views, especially on Energy Efficiency, gave me a completely new insight as to how much we can achieve.
How has this experience impacted your personal and professional goals, methodology, and mission?
DC: As a backdrop to the event, the words “NO Plan B” were written on the wall. This has resonated in my head as the motto that was in everyone’s head that day. To work and fight for what is important, for what really matters and for what we love. In my case it’s the fight for Energy Efficiency in a place like Latin America, where there is still a lot of doubts when it comes to Green Technologies.
When I first got here, after travelling on a motorcycle for 7 months, I saw the opportunity. Everywhere I went, the most beautiful sceneries were being destroyed by pollution in different ways. The idea of making a difference kept appearing. When I settled in Chile, a lot of people were dubious that my business was going to work. But it was clear to me it had to be done, and who better to do it than me. Richard is a “screw it, just do it” kind of person, and I think I am like that as well. Meeting him has just made me a stronger believer in what I am doing. My vision and our mission at Eco-Eficiencia.com made more sense than ever. Seeing that there is a team of us fighting for the same goal and exploring green technologies makes me realize I am where I want to be and doing what I want to do.
How did you feel throughout the experience?
DC: Things just fell in the right place for this event. Everything from the conversations, the group of people in the room to the general sense of being on the same wave length made me feel excited about what is happening. You have to keep in mind that, I was meeting Richard Branson, so of course I was excited. What an amazing experience! But aside from that excitement, there was a feeling of achievement from all of us. I am part of the change, and everyone in that room was. Something powerful is happening, and this could be felt during the whole event.
What actions did you take to win this experience?
DC: To be honest I found my way to the Urgency Network by following a link Richard Branson posted on Linkedin about his 10 Island Challenge, and it brought me to the Urgency Network’s campaign, so I;
Watched a video
Signed up for the newsletter
Liked on Facebook
Sent out a Tweet
Just a few simple tasks, but more than anything I learned a lot about the Carbon War Room's Ten Island Renewable Challenge, and was inspired by its potential. A few days later I received a call to my Chilean cell phone from Donald, the Co-Founder of the Urgency Network, who called to congratulate me on winning… So cool.
Tell us about your experience.
DC: After a restful flight up from Santiago, Chile we arrived in New York around midday. It always feels good being back in the States since I've lived abroad for the past several years. The city is buzzing and there is little time to do everything we plan to do. We managed to do it all...hardly. We were able to get some well deserved tacos, hang with some old friends, listen to a great jazz band, go for a run in Central Park, have some truly legendary NY pizza, and walk around SoHo and Williamsburg. Great art, great food and the best was still to come. We got ready to meet Richard Branson. An honest and nice guy who talked to me as he was just one more in the room. With the craziness of people in space suits, drinks and incredibly energetic conversations, time passed quickly. Richard had to leave, but the conversations kept on going. Ideas were thrown as what to do in the Carbon War Room. A few handshakes here and there, including some of the world’s leading sustainability experts from various sectors, as well as artists, musicians and businessmen. A diverse group all looking for one thing in common: a different way to do things, a creative way of looking at life, and most important of all, to leave a mark on this world. The whole night, if not the whole trip, just flew by quickly. In no time we were back on the plane on our way to BA. Perfect layover to stop and grab an Argentinean steak and a good glass of Malbec. Too soon we were back home trying to digest everything that had happened, the people we had met and the new challenges that our business has ahead.
