The Business Bootcamp – The Movie (Sort Of).
Two years after we closed Open Circles Academy and hosted our final Business Bootcamp, we found ourselves in a strange place. We had no desire to keep teaching or to continue making a difference in the lives of entrepreneurs.
It felt like that chapter was closed.
But then we had a realization—just because we were stepping back didn’t mean we couldn’t empower others to step up.
It all started when someone convinced Yoni to write a book about how he went from nearly a million dollars in debt to building a training company that revolutionized the way solopreneurs and small business owners in Holland operated.
As Yoni dove into his story, we began to fully grasp the impact we’d made.
At one point, the Dutch Financial Post newspaper reported that Open Circles Academy had driven a quarter of a BILLION euros into the Dutch economy.
Talk about leaving a mark!
With Yoni busy writing, I saw an opportunity to expand my own creative horizons.
Why not turn this story into a documentary?
I decided to capture the essence of the Business Bootcamp and its ripple effect on the Dutch economy through film.
So in March 2019, I headed back to Holland with one of our WorkAway volunteers who happened to be a videographer.
We spent a week interviewing graduates, volunteers, and colleagues, piecing together the story.
Interviewing our OCA alumni was like a reunion, filled with laughter, tears, and tales of triumph.
After an intense week of filming, we returned home with hours of raw footage.
With the help of another volunteer, I dove into the editing process, crafting a trailer to pitch to investors and production companies.
As we worked we were dreaming of red carpets and standing ovations.
Sadly, the film never saw the light of day, but the experience was incredible.
I discovered a new passion for scriptwriting and filmmaking, and I embraced the idea of “making as many mistakes as possible” on this creative journey.
It was a wild ride but one that taught me more than I ever expected.
