Amble provides time away with purpose through one-month sabbaticals in beautiful places.

We partner with nonprofits, conservancies and small towns to provide affordable and unique lodging to top-notch creative professionals in exchange for their skills and expertise.

Amble is launching a pilot program in Yosemite National Park this upcoming November 2018. We are partnering with Yosemite Conservancy and Mariposa Arts Council as our community hosts to provide lodging in Wawona and Mariposa. 

Why?

Creative professionals often find themselves burned out or in a creative rut.
^{Not every individual is in a position to take an extended leave or interested in leaving their jobs. Sometimes we just need time away. Travel and new experiences are essential in gaining perspective, inspiring new ideas and recharging. An exchange of time and skills for exploration and rejuvenation in a new location makes this more accessible, and provides professional development by applying existing skills to new projects or clients.}

Nonprofit and purpose-driven organizations are often in need of creative services that are limited or inaccessible to them.
_{Whether financially or geographically, good design and creative talent can be inaccessible for many. In exchange for creative services, these organizations can offer a place to stay and explore, in beautiful natural places across the USA.}

Companies don’t want to lose valuable employees and want to offer benefits that attract good talent.
_{They see value in team members growing and strengthening their craft by applying their skills in new ways. They may offer professional development and educational opportunities, and see this as an opportunity to reach underserved communities or further their mission to do purpose-driven work.}

What is the market size/opportunity?
_{The creative industry is huge and evergrowing. Our community hosts – nonprofits, conservancies and small towns across the USA – have no shortage of creative needs they need support with to help them more effectively serve their mission.}

_{We currently are seeking the following creative talent to support our community hosts:}

• _{Visual Designers & Illustrators}

• _{UX Designers & Strategists}

• _{Content Strategists & Copywriters}

• _{Photographers & Videographers}

• _{Project Managers & Producers}

• _{Web Developers}

What does this experience offer? 

Purpose-Driven Work

• _{Support mission-driven nonprofit organizations who otherwise have limited access to creative resources.}
• _{Work on meaningful and exciting projects with project stakeholders.}
• _{Directly support and impact the community and physical environment around you.}

Professional Development

• _{Flex your creative muscles and apply your skills & expertise in a new way.}
• _{Gain confidence, new experiences and projects you can add to your portfolio.}
• _{Lead a project from start to finish and collaborate with stakeholders.}

Experience

• _{Extended stays in unique or exclusive lodging located in beautiful places.}
• _{Get an authentic view into each destination—the region, the community, and culture.}
• _{A built-in community—access to people who love and live in each place, and who can provide insider tips on things to do and explore.}

For Employers

• _{Opportunity to offer a unique benefit to help attract and retain good talent.}
• _{Avoid employee burnout and frustration of the hiring process by offering an alternative.}
• _{Provide Amble as an option for employees to use within their educational and professional development budget.}

Why are you seeking funding and how will you spend the funding?

_{We are bootstrapping Amble and need support making the first pilot a huge success to ensure our long-term vision for Amble.}

_{The best advice I’ve gotten from my tribe of bad add business ladies (aka advisors) is to just do it and to start small. We’ve decided to pilot the program in one location—Yosemite National Park—at discount for up to 5 participants and two community hosts, Yosemite Conservancy and Mariposa Arts Council.} 

_{We will be present during the course of the month to facilitate the experience and bear witness to ensure a successful exchange and experience for all participants. This will help us iron out the kinks, learn about what was great, what can improve and how to refine the program going forward.}

_{In addition to ensuring the best possible launch and pilot of Amble, the funds raised through iFundWomen will go into building a brand and visual identity for Amble, materials for participants, rewards for backers, and supplies to help bring this program to life.}
 

_{Who are you?}

_{Ilyssa Kyu is the founder of Amble. She is a design researcher, strategist and UX designer based in Philadelphia, and has worked in the creative industry for 10+ years. She recently published a book called Campfire Stories with her husband, Dave Kyu—who is an arts administrator and ran an artist residency for the Mural Arts Program called Neighborhood Time Exchange.}

_{Several years ago, Ilyssa went on her own sabbatical in Mariposa trading visual design work and facilitating a community workshop, for lodging. Through her own sabbatical and her experience working in the creative industry, she understands the needs and desires of creative professionals, as well as the benefits and complications inherent in taking this time away, for both the creative professional and their employers.}

_{Our Partners}