Charly, a Californian expatriate, has spent 27 years building a life on the coast of East Bali. After leaving behind a successful career in America, he came to Bali for surfing, founding Bali’s first chocolate factory 14 years ago. Since then, he’s expanded into surf wax, zinc sunscreen, and handmade soap. “My neighbor came to me and said, ‘Hey, you know, nobody makes chocolate in Bali. They grow so much cacao, but all the beans are sent to Java for processing.’ That’s when I thought, ‘Hey, it would be a good thing for the locals to process it here and create jobs.’” Among his many ventures, Charly also created one of the island’s pioneering Bali swings, which at its peak has attracted up to 3,000 visitors in a single day. This swing, along with his other initiatives, has brought people to a less touristy part of Bali, created jobs, and supported local entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses. “Build a better mousetrap, and people will beat a path to your door. No matter where you live, even if you’re in the middle of a jungle, they will beat a path to your place.” His diverse international experiences and studies in various religious and philosophical traditions have subtly shaped his belief that focusing on what brings genuine fulfillment and joy, rather than chasing success itself, often leads to its own rewards. “The big secret is in the Bible, it’s in many other spiritual texts. It’s basically, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all else will be added unto you.’” Charly emphasizes to find one’s Kingdom of heaven’ on earth- a life centered on passion and fulfillment, and sharing that joy with others, is where true value lies. Wealth and success naturally follow when one’s work is driven by purpose.
