“This book is a great way to introduce the concept of Eco-biography journal to the world. An eco-biography is described as “writing self through place”. So, its vital to remember that one’s experience in one location may be completely different than another’s. That is the beauty of storytelling, we all experience and learn in unique ways. The Pursuit Of Sharing Knowledge. Bryanna Payne holds a Bachelor Of Arts Honours in Geography, and a Bachelor of Education in French As A Second Language, Geography and Environmental Education. Environmental Education can reach citizens of all ages. Environmental Education programs allow for peoples to explore a wide variety of environments. The Acid Capitalist Summer Camp was an opportunity presented to Bryanna Payne to explore adult education when it comes to financial summer camps, tied in into a vacation. Let’s call this an “educational retreat”. Judgment and resentment comes with “selfishness”, but in this story Bryanna shares that this was the first step in becoming a women, when she gained courage to chose herself. She is a community minded woman, who’s love for education, geography, and bravery have led her to richness in life experiences.I hope this brings readers orientation about who Bryanna Payne is, and her goal to learn about the world, on the mission of one village global.”

Chapter 1: New York

1886 The Inauguration of the statue of liberty

Hugh Hendry; Courage Captain

What enthralled me to Hugh is that he does not hold back in the fear that honesty will lead to greatness, and feelings being hurt. (value) The hard truth. Not always what you want to hear but what you need to hear.

I’m interviewing Scottish hedge fund manager turned hotelier Hugh Hendry, who now oversees one of the most beautiful properties on the island, Maison Blanc Bleu St. Barts.https://blancbleustbarts.com/ Our paths crossed serendipitously at The Mercer Hotel's patio in Soho, NYC—truly one of the best spots in the city. https://mercerhotel.com/ Through the power of conversation and courage, you can achieve whatever you desire, if it is your destiny. Hugh's investment in my startup, Check the Breeze, came in the form of an invitation to cover his financial event known as “The Acid Capitalist Summer Camp” at Blanc Bleu St. Barts. This opportunity allowed me to gain invaluable exposure for my project, highlighting the event, adult education in the Caribbean, aligning with my Bachelor of Education and my first subject; Hugh Hendry a.k.a hendrix.

The concept of “Acid Capitalist” is all about doing things outside of the “norm”, such as hosting a camp in the Caribbean at a French theater instead of a traditional conference room in North America. Hugh emphasizes that it’s about the extraordinary people involved. For example, he wore his “thinking goggles” each day, and attendees dressed in beach attire while engaging in the same intellectual discussions one would expect in formal suits. The term “Acid” can be intense, but the group consisted of entrepreneurs, investors, and educated individuals who gathered to share ideas, showcasing professionalism without the confines of a traditional office environment. The event fostered meaningful connections, and the five-day timeframe allowed people to be intentional about making those connections, rather than simply exchanging LinkedIn profiles. The wasteful connections that go something like “let’s connect on linked” and then there is not follow up , as we often forget or something better comes along to stimulate our minds/distractions (i’m guilty of this too). Awareness is the first step. A friend of mine JK, who works as a wealth management associate at Scotia Wealth Management in downtown Toronto, shared with me the value of the 48-hour rule. After connecting with someone, set a reminder for a 48 hour follow up… its the best timing method to date. The camp was less about phones and more about real-life conversations! Real life connection if our society can fathom this. Hugh Hendry shared with me his go to wisdom

Keep Hugh’s 3 steps in your game plan

1.  Be Mischievous

2.  Be Curious

3.  Be playful

One attendee, who prefers to remain nameless, shared that “one of the main reasons I came was to get out of my bubble and be around others who share the same drive for the market”. The Hedge fund Connecticut New Yorker simply said, “I’ve been inside too long; I needed to get uncomfortable.” After COVID-19, even someone like me—who is known for being outgoing—felt social anxiety during 2020-2021. I broke out of it by constantly putting myself in situations that challenged my fears, such as participating in Zoom lectures and speaking up. Although I was behind a screen, speaking on camera gave me a great deal of anxiety. Even when we returned to in-person lectures, I would freeze and my voice would stutter. Despite my anxiety, I continually raised my hand to speak, even when every part of me resisted. Through this practice, I was eventually able to diminish my fear. The value here? … Sometimes, when you absolutely don’t want to do something, that is exactly when you must. I believe that this encapsulates what “Acid Capitalist” stands for. Of course, you can practice your presentation before hand but sometimes you just need to START by doing. Preparation = Confidence.

“Be more courageous” said Hugh Hendry to me on the Sartiano’s patio, mercer street, May 6th, 2024. Be More Courageous …

Delegates at the Acid Capitalist 2024 Summer Camp came from around the world, allowing for connection with financial leaders and hedge fund managers from cities like London, New York, Cayman Islands, Stark and Argentina. Geography highlight here… Have you heard of Sark Island in France? Mean either until I attended the Acid Capitalist Camp by Hugh Hendry. This venture ignited my inner Geographer. The zest for learning will always start with Courage and calculated risk ;). As a young entrepreneurial woman, navigating market vocabulary was an enlightening challenge. I learned terms like “beans and teens,” which refers to a mix of commodities and financial assets priced between $10 and $19 (the teen years), highlighting a strategy that combines emerging markets with conventional assets.

The keys of effective  networking

Before I start, starve your desperation right now.

1. When you see the opportunity, and person. You’ll need to start thinking intentionally immediately.

2. Play the game; pretend you’re in a movie

3. Be intentional, people can smell fake and off vibes; Be Yourself.

“Be heart in your approbation and lavish in your praise and people will cherish your words and treasure them”

BANTER (value)

This venture was quite interesting to navigate, and I often felt nervous since I’d never interviewed anyone or done a real journalism project before. However, today, in November 2024, I feel much more confident and look forward to my next interview, knowing what I would do differently. I had to go and START in order to learn, fail forward, and better understand who I am and what I stand for. The world of media, especially when people are being filmed, can lead to inauthenticity if you don’t stand your ground. In the video below, you can see that I was very nervous on my first day; cameras can have that effect. Think about when someone starts videotaping you—do you ever feel like your voice is changing because of nerves? That’s called the “interviewer’s voice.” With more practice, as a good friend of mine says, consistency brings success. You can see in the video how challenging it was for me to get comfortable in front of the camera. One of many things Hugh taught me was bravery. There will be so much beauty in my 100th interview, and seeing where and what is discovered along the way. I began to discover my purpose in using my networking skills for storytelling. While some may judge my experiences, I recognize the importance of sharing my journey through language. By documenting my experiences, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and better understand the interconnectedness of the financial market and geography. And how the courage and bravery from breaking out of your own comfort zone.