Daily Inspiration: Meet Katelyn Jarvis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Jarvis. 

Hi Katelyn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In June 2017, I quit my job with the US Department of the Treasury and set out to visit every country in the world. At the same time, I incorporated a non-profit called Peace Stamps, with the mission to do good in as many countries as I could. As of today, I have visited 143 countries, doing service projects ranging from helping refugees evacuate Ukraine to providing education for women in Afghanistan to rescuing baby sea turtles from being poached. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a relatively smooth road until COVID began. My goal was to visit every country by the time I am 30, but as my 30th birthday approaches on June 20, 2022, I know I will have to push back my goal. The two years of not being able to really travel really derailed that goal. The other struggle is finding volunteer projects along the way. I thought it would be easy but sometimes you cannot find projects in certain countries. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I am not traveling or working on my non-profit, I work as the Chief Compliance Officer of an investment firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jarvis Global Investments. Basically, I spend my day making sure that our firm is complying with all of the applicable laws and regulations required of a Registered Investment Advisory firm. I am also a Certified Financial Planner TM candidate and will be taking the test in July, so that our firm can offer full financial planning services, as well. 

In regards to my work with Peace Stamps, it has been a constant learning experience. When I first started Peace Stamps, I thought that I could help any and every cause in the world, naively. So, in the last year or so I have honed on crisis events. I want Peace Stamps to be a light for those in need at quite possibly the darkest moment in their lives. Over the past year, Peace Stamps has done projects for Ukraine and Afghanistan. Those two projects are what I am most proud of. 

I think what sets me apart from others is my bravery and my work ethic. I do not know many people that could find the time to work full-time, earn their Master’s full-time, run a non-profit, and still have time to visit every country in the world. I also do not know many people that would be willing to go to places like Afghanistan and Ukraine. I feel drawn to places where they need the most help and nothing stops me from doing what I can to help these people. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am a firm believer in pursuing your passions and not letting anyone tell you you cannot do something. If any readers are trying to decide if they should pursue a crazy dream of theirs, I am here to tell you to GO FOR IT! 

If you want something so badly and you know that you will regret not attempting this crazy dream of yours, you need to go for it. Do not let anyone try and talk some sense into you. If you fail miserably, at least you tried. Go for it! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.journeywithjarv.com www.peacestamps.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/journeywithjarv
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/journeywithjarv