I’m retired Army and I care deeply about the well-being of service members. I’m also a Kripalu yoga instructor since 2012. I used to think these two things, Army and yoga, didn’t go together and downplayed my yoga practice with my military tribe. Now I know better. The mindfulness that yoga and meditation cultivate is exactly what the military needs. The military asks a lot of its women and men and spends a great deal of effort training them in tactical skills, physical endurance, operational readiness, and strategic thinking.

I’ve aimed to create a sustainable way of generating revenue to fund research and programs that bring mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to service members starting in basic training. I’ve started Beneficial Vacations, where I connect with inspirational leaders and then design and plan group retreats/vacations for the leader and his or her followers, clients, employees, family, or friends.

I have an entire community behind me which starts with my host agency, Gifted Travel Network; continues with my consortia, Travel Savers; and includes numerous travel suppliers and travel industry companies. Many of these time honored and vetted companies only work directly with travel agents.

I use the commission money to donate to nonprofit organizations like Warriors At Ease and Exalted Warrior that have the same or similar causes as mine. Eventually, I’d like to sponsor vacations for service members and their families suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My end goal is to help service members, connect with people, plan amazing luxury vacations, and serve happy travelers. It’s my life purpose and it’s an incredible blessing to have that knowledge.

Read the full article about this sustainable business model by Benefsheh Verell at Medium.