The following is an interview with Robert Goodwin, founder and president of Stone & Compass, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about their global cultural tours or their youth intern program, go to stoneandcompass.com.
Tell us about Stone & Compass and why you started it. I started Stone & Compass 13 years ago with $9, a dart, a map and a dream to impact people’s lives globally while also staying true to my roots in Marblehead. The company runs adult tours and then reinvests the profit to lower the costs for kids (high school and college students) to travel abroad. While the kids are traveling, they also create and build sustainable projects for local communities and people who are in need.
Supported by the Stone & Compass volunteer adult staff, the kids build confidence and capacity to become global-minded change agents inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. This summer we sent over 100 Marblehead youth abroad to five different countries.
What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? The best business advice I ever got was to believe in myself and push through adversity.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? Without a doubt, my favorite spot in Marblehead is Browns (Crowninshield) Island. It harkens back to my youth and is still an incredible place to let go and take in the beauty of the area.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I logged over 1 million miles in the air over the last 21 months. Basically, the equivalent of going around the world 40 times. It’s been quite a crazy two years.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is dedicated to the promotion of Marblehead. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
