Science Nature Arts and People (SNAP) is the name of a gathering hosted by a quartet of early and highly successful pioneers of the natural products industry. I was fortunate to be invited to Boulder for the 4th annual this fall.

Steve Demos (Dean Foods), Doug Greene (Natural Foods Merchandiser), Peter Roy (Whole Foods), and Drake Sadler (Traditional Medicinals) are the collaborators who create and host this mental medicine of diverse subject matter. Held in the fabulous historic Boulder Theatre, a series of speakers offered strict 20 minutes presentations designed to stretch our intellectual comfort zones. I was especially impressed with the courage of the design team to include very tough global and political issues alongside deeply moving emotional and inspirational life stories from survivors of African genocidal conflict, to entheogenic explorers, to chilling political analysis.

Of course the golden value of well crafted gatherings is the quality of old and new friends one spends time amongst. With Renewal2 Investment Fund just bringing in its first "signing on the dotted line" commitments, I've been on a busy travel schedule to spread the word. Along with Paul, Nicole, Pam, Casey, Marian, and other close associates, we are sharing the intentions and accomplishments of our 14 years of experience investing for social change. We then are able to invite people for the first ever opportunity to become investment partners with us in our next chapter.

Meeting high quality potential investees is underway, alongside the capital attraction. SNAP gave me the rich pleasure of reconnecting with a number of old colleagues from this disruptive transformational industry. I met extraordinary people. A good introduction is a most important art. A new long term friend is high on the list of what makes life liveable.

Special kudos to Casey Verbeck and David Karr of Guayaki for expanding my world. They independently worked to pry me loose to sign up for SNAP. Then they each opened the jewels of their networks and shared them with me.

I encourage you to take opportunities to participate in extended events where you can meet new people and expand your horizons. Focus is crucial. Getting our heads and hearts up out of the bubble zones we create and seeing what's going on outside our niche is worth gold.