Friday, February 28, 2014

Our Story

Normal to Destiny

Impact the world by impacting the one

Normal to Destiny is a movement that we believe will impact the world, as we intentionally stop for the one in front of us.  Our mission is to bring hope into people's lives by rekindling passions and awakening the longing to dream again.  What if people could see beyond their circumstances to realize that their life has a greater purpose and meaning?
Here is the story of one man who dared to dream again, and that dream is now impacting those around him, inspiring them to dream big and be all they are created to be.  Travis Arment, of Grinnell, IA is the founder, owner, and CEO of Normal to Destiny LLC.  This is his story.

How It All Began

After serving my country and receiving an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy in 2008, I was at the lowest point in my life.  All my plans had fallen apart, and I ended up working at a treatment facility for troubled kids.  It didn't take long for me to become mentally, emotionally, and physically drained.  I began thinking I had no purpose and felt lost.  I hated my job and hated my life. 
Then, in Februrary of 2009, I had an encounter with God and everything changed.  I immediately gave my life to Christ, and that's when I started receiving dreams of a place of refuge for the hurting and broken.  These literal dreams in the night were of a place where people could be equipped with the gospel and empowered through music, arts, sports, etc.  From that moment I knew I was created for more, and I have been chasing that dream ever since. 
Instead of living life with a victim mentality, I began living with purpose.  Those at the treatment facility immediately felt the impact of the changes happening in my life.  I began stopping and looking at the needs of those in front of me, and I realized there were practical ways I could meet those needs.  I started showing up for the people around me, asking questions, and seeing the bigger picture.
Doors continued to open for me.  In May 2010 I was introduced to a house of prayer ministry that deals with helping those in need.  The more I got involved in that ministry, the more I realized it was the perfect environment for me to expand upon the dream I was chasing. 
As I learned more about the idea that we were created for more, I knew that normal would never be an option for my life.  After spending the past four years learning that I wasn't normal and never wanted to be normal, the door to Belize opened up. 
In 2013, I began a new chapter of my life.  I took a leap of faith and moved to the country of Belize.  Although it has been tough at times, I started seeing more and more of why I had been placed there.  As I stopped for the person in front of me, I saw hurting people with so much potential.  I started seeing how I could tangibly help them.  And that's when Normal to Destiny was birthed. 

Normal to Destiny

Normal to Destiny LLC is a response to the dreams I have been chasing, along with the relationships that I have built while in Belize.  Our vision is to impact the world by impacting the one.  It is a way to use the arts to empower people and create employment opportunities through: jewelry, sewing, apparel, paintings, drawings, photography, sculpting, and handcrafted products.  By coming alongside the artisan, and applying value to their work, Normal to Destiny LLC is releasing appreciation and importance to their trade.  This immediately puts food on the table and allows people to dream big.  The end goal is not just to sell a product, but to empower people to dream big and make a difference in other people's lives.  By people helping people, the culture shifts, and I have already seen the ripple effect in my own life from people investing into me. 

Global Impact

We are beginning our impact in Belize by working with local craftsman and artists, and supplying them with steady work opportunities.  These opportunities directly impact and empower these artisans and their families.  And as you wear and display these products proudly, you can become a part of our story by sharing it with others.  Be inspired and be a solution by helping empower others, as you treat yourself to something beautiful!

Together, with your support, we can make a global impact of awakening destiny!