We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Navarro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Woah, what a loaded question!

I think It’s in my blood. My dad had his own local telecommunications business. Hearing his stories and seeing him take action is probably the REAL reason I decided to take this leap.

However, if we’re talking about real time, I, like many others were laid off due to COVID-19. I had already been working for a group travel company. At first as a Tour Guide, later in Operations, and lastly had a short stint in Marketing. With COVID decimating the Leisure, Travel, and Hospitality industry, I found myself jobless. I wasn’t really sure where to go from there as I had put in so much time and energy into this Industry. So I decided to say “f*** it, lets see what I’m made of.” I put in over 3,000 hours in seven months learning how to start a Tour Operator, Build a website Create and LLC, Open a Business account, Apply for Permits and Insurance, Learn digital marketing and make connections.

Social impact: how does your business help the community or the world?

One of WeekendsFrom’s core principals is, giving back. As a Tour Operator we visit many cities, tourist attractions, restaurants and work with adventure companies, our goal is to give back in some capacity on every trip that departs through us. Whether that’s a percentage of the trip is donated to a non-profit, a volunteer event, visit family/BIPOC/Small Business or even include an activity that is immersive for our travelers while also giving back to the local community for instance watching a shakespear play put on by a local non profit theatre group.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

In my 30’s I’ve come to rationalize that I’m committed to growth and becoming a better person, I think ultimately that comes with some risk. A few years back I quit a position with nothing lined up and lived off my savings. 3 months later I received an opportunity in marketing and while that jump was initially scary, it taught me that maybe more calculated risks is the best way to go. Starting small and let the snow ball effect happen and usually you’ll be happy with the decision that you made.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I believe it has to do with our focus on the traveler. People pay A LOT of money to travel. Some save for 6 months while others have been saving for 5 years. I believe it’s understanding that it is a PRIVILEGE to help people cross off their bucket list items and create future memories. One of our favorite quotes is “A mind stretched by a new experience can never return to its original dimension” we like to think of our trips as those new experiences.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?
I’m not sure. I’ve usually keep on going and going until doors stop opening then I knock a few more times before calling it quits. I think in business/entrepreneurship at the small business level, you’re doing it as a passion. I enjoy doing what I do, whether business comes in abundance or is slow, I will always want to be part of this industry in some capacity.
Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
What’s balance?! Kidding, I think it’s more about becoming adaptable and setting boundaries in everything that comes in life. Sometimes family takes more precedence and sometimes work takes precedence. The company you keep has to be just as open, adaptable and flexible to that.

How do you define success?
To me, success is having enough to support my day to day living, saving for the future, working on a dream and being able to enjoy that with good people.

What should our readers know about your business?
Social impact: how does your business help the community or the world?

One of WeekendsFrom’s core principals is, giving back. As a Tour Operator we visit many cities, tourist attractions, restaurants and work with adventure companies, our goal is to give back in some capacity on every trip that departs through us. Whether that’s a percentage of the trip is donated to a non-profit, a volunteer event, visit family/BIPOC/Small Business or even include an activity that is immersive for our travelers while also giving back to the local community for instance watching a shakespear play put on by a local non profit theatre group.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

In my 30’s I’ve come to rationalize that I’m committed to growth and becoming a better person, I think ultimately that comes with some risk. A few years back I quit a position with nothing lined up and lived off my savings. 3 months later I received an opportunity in marketing and while that jump was initially scary, it taught me that maybe more calculated risks is the best way to go. Starting small and let the snow ball effect happen and usually you’ll be happy with the decision that you made.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I believe it has to do with our focus on the traveler. People pay A LOT of money to travel. Some save for 6 months while others have been saving for 5 years. I believe it’s understanding that it is a PRIVILEGE to help people cross off their bucket list items and create future memories. One of our favorite quotes is “A mind stretched by a new experience can never return to its original dimension” we like to think of our trips as those new experiences.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Accomodation: The Saguaro, The Pheonician, Talking Stick Resort, W Hotel

Day 1:
Breakfast: Morning Squeeze- Brunch Vibes
Restaurants to Try: The Mission, Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequela
Desert: Sugar Bowl- Old School Fountainshop vibes
Walk around old town Scottsdale and hire a golf cart taxi to pick you up and drive you around

Day 2:
Light Breakfast at Sip Coffee & Beer

Hike Camelback Mountain

Picnic lunch in Papago Park- quick hike to Hole in Rock

Go Tubing along the Salt River

Dinner at Canal Club

Day 3:

Coffee at Bikini Beanz (not your everyday coffee shop)

Midday Hike in Sedona-
Options:
Chapel Trail (See Chappel of the Holy Cross)
Devils Bridge Trail head
Soldiers Pass Trail- IncludesSeven Sacred Pools/ Devils Kitchen

After Hiking Cool Off at Slide Rock State Park

Eat: Cowboy Club- Try unique food to the southwest-cactus fries, Prickly pear Margarita, Buffalo Skewers, Rattlesnake Sausage

Stay the evening in Page Arizona

Day 4:

Lake Powell- Can find a swimming section or Kayak/ jet ski or boat tour. https://www.kayakpowell.com

Hike to Horseshoe Bend

Try a Navajo Taco at The Deli at Big Lake Trading post

Take a Guided tour of Antelope Canyon

Day 5: Head back to Phoenix Area

Stop off in Flagstaff and have a late breakfast/early lunch on Route 66 at Galaxy Diner

Stay at the Cambria in Phoenix

Have dinner at a local favorite: Bobby Q BBQ & Steakhouse

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost would like to shoutout my family for providing a solid support system while making hardwork and self reliance a priority. As far as professionally, I would like to thanks Claudia Brooks for giving a young 20 year old an opportunity to explore the world and in that process find out what I am made of.

Website: www.weekendsfrom.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/weekendsfrom

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-navarro-2b56846b/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/weekendsfrom

Other: Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d21125981-Reviews-WeekendsFrom-Los_Angeles_California.html

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