Every new place is like a new book, full of adventure and the unknown.
I’ve had wanderlust since I was old enough to go out on my own, whether by bike or train. I attribute this to my father, who was (and still is) always perusing maps and exploring new places on every bike ride and business trip. I feed off the unknown sometimes. It tends to come on in bouts every few years, not that I get tired of a current job, or restless in routine, but it’s just an itch for the New.
I’ve tried my hand at many things in the past ten years since high school, maybe not as much as some, but I’d like to consider myself relatively well rounded in the experience arena. However, as many things as I try, I always have a few constants, coffee, design, and for the last 7+ years, my amazing wife.
For me, these constants are what make it possible to thrive despite my fernweh. I can do what I know, practice what I love, and lean on the support of my other half wherever we are.
Recently, Violeta and I have decided to take on a project that feeds all of these constants while in Cluj. We’ve been approached by a number of our design clients in coffee to consider becoming distributors for their products in Romania. At first, the prospect of taking on a financial commitment like that was daunting and exciting, and now that we’ve decided to actually take the plunge, it’s more daunting and exponentially more exciting.
I’ll be able to fulfill all three of my passions in one fell swoop; helping to grow an already budding specialty coffee community in Cluj, designing for an industry that we’ll be helping to build, and we’ll be doing it together. Vio’s even been taking a closer interest in programming for design and online, as well as stepping further into the world of coffee. I’m lucky to have her by my side in this, I wouldn’t be able to do it without her.
We’ve purchased a domain, designed a logo and begun to write our business plan. Since becoming part (though small) of the coffee community in Cluj in 2007, I’ve toyed—and even dreamed—of beginning a cafe or coffee business there. Now we are, and given my own inclinations, have decided to name the business Wanderlust Coffee Co.
Along with Altmannhaus design clients, a new Treasure City blog angled at local makers, and most of all, our journey to adopt a child into our family, I think we’ll be more than busy.
I’ve never been more anxious or more excited at what the future holds for us.