How The Groove Cruise Started: Jason Beukema - The Groove Cruise/Whet Travel

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond The Story with your host, Sebastian Rusk! In this episode, Sebastian reconnects with his longtime friend, Jason Beukema, who shares his remarkable journey to success. Starting with a casual cruise with friends, Jason built Groove Cruise into a 20-year-old thriving business. Sebastian also shares his travel company's success and charity-side called Destination Donation. They discuss the mental health aspect of their programming and seek to provide a supportive space for mental health, including suicide prevention courses. It's an eye-opening conversation about getting out of one's comfort zone and surrounding oneself with those striving for success, bringing joy, and impacting positively. With their insightful and valuable advice, be ready to level up in life and be sure to check out Beyond The Story now!Timestamps[00:00:05] Serendipitous Meeting: Sebastian and Host's Backstory[00:03:38] Long-lasting Friendship and the Origin of Groove Cruise[00:06:17] From Entrepreneurship to Building a Successful Travel Company[00:09:24] Experiential Travel Business and Charity Foundation[00:12:47] Preventing Suicide: Importance of Mental Health Programs[00:15:50] Overcoming fear and bringing joy through comedy[00:18:53] The Value of Continuous Learning and Growth[00:21:57] Redefining Wealth and Celebrating Friendship[00:24:54] Reluctantly Attending a Popular EventBest Quotes[00:00:31] That bow tie has since been retired. Good. It's so uncomfortable[00:03:32] I've never had that type of, you know, fee direct feedback unsolicited before[00:04:38] You know, you got something that most don't have, and I don't even have it. And it's stage presence and it's talent and it's a gift, but you gotta dial it in[00:10:11] I had pretty lofty goals But yeah, we've done over 50 island events as well over the 20 years and we've done resortsAll Quotes[00:10:43] But yeah, we've done over 50 island events as well over the 20 years and we've done resorts. So, yeah, done different different types of stuff, but mainly all in the travel experiential travel. Space[00:08:29] I remember asking you, like, wow, running a cruise ship. Like, what does that take? And I think at the time, it was a million bucks. Yeah. But it doesn't work right now. Yeah. And then I'm stuck. I'm not shocked[00:03:23] I'm defeated. It was like 1 in the morning. But before I left, I wasn't taking no for an answer[00:11:01] I've always had a charity aspect to it. So I started my foundation wet foundation over 10 years ago now[00:07:02] So my bus I put a business plan together to charter a cruise ship in 5 years. So, basically, double it every year. So do 01/25/5700, a thousand, 2000, which is the smallest mass March market cruise ship[00:14:03] You gotta find the good in it even though it's absolutely tragic and the good in it is our self-awareness of realizing It is never that bad, and there are resources available and tools available to be able to implement into your life where when a chick gets hectic, it's okay to reach out and make a phone call[00:03:32] I've never had that type of, you know, fee direct feedback unsolicited before. Like, I need to at least know where you're coming from[00:09:05] I think you told me that even the dining hall isn't open, like, the dining hall gets turned into a venue as well?[00:04:38] You know, you got something that most don't have, and I don't even have it. And it's stage presence and it's talent and it's a gift, but you gotta dial it in[Unknown] We have a huge mental health focus that we recently started[00:09:57] It's like a billion dollar cruise ship, which if you were to tell me 20 years ago that this kid who's dad was a teacher and mom was a secretary who's gonna be