Bancroft’s trek to Arctic
to be backed by leadership
company, Your Expedition
When famed explorer Ann Bancroft tries to cross the Arctic Ocean in 2005, she and partner Liv Arnesen will fund and operate the expedition using a business model that’s different from the traditional. They will be backed by Bancroft’s leadership company, Your Expedition, which she started after her 1993 trek across Antarctica ended in financial failure.
Bancroft recalled that expedition to a packed crowd at WomenVenture’s annual gala in October, and in an interview with Upsize. She decided to turn back when money ran out. Leaders of expeditions are used to turning around because of weather, she says, but not because of money.
Broke and disheartened, she thought there had to be a better way to finance an expedition, rather than having the explorer do everything from raising the money to pulling the 250-pound sleds.
She met up with Charlie Hartwell, a former Pillsbury brand manager and experienced executive, who helped her start Your Expedition in Minneapolis. With 10 employees, the company works to “inspire people to find their own expeditions,” Bancroft says.
“We help develop solutions for organizations and individuals, from the board room to the classroom, to succeed,” says Hartwell, president of Your Expedition. “We use our flagship brand, which is Bancroft Arnesen Explore, and that ignites and inspires individuals to see possibilities, seize opportunities and succeed.”
Hartwell says the successful Bancroft/Arnesen expedition to Antarctica in 2000 to 2001 was the first for-profit expedition he’s aware of in U.S. history. Volvo, Motorola and Apple were among the sponsors. Clients of Your Expedition include Norway, which is set to celebrate its 100-year anniversary of independence from Sweden, Hartwell says.
Hartwell had run a small entertainment business and helped to start Simondelivers.com, the local grocery delivery company. He met Bancroft over lunch about seven years ago. “For me meeting Ann was the most emotional professional moment I’ve had, because this business plan popped into my head,” he says.
“I enjoy trying to find value, which was what was so fun about this business — finding the value in places where people hadn’t found value before.”
Charlie Hartwell and Ann Bancroft, Your Expedition: 612.333.1207; www.yourexpedition.com
