If there’s one thing that we absolutely DIG, it’s supporting the Creative Community. So it just made perfect sense that our paths intertwined with Tim Boreman and Matt Pike of North Journal. With their home base firmly rooted on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, these gents launched a quarterly free publication printed in traditional newspaper format to simply tell stories that they felt needed to be told. In their words, it’s locally grown and internationally sewn. And with an almost cult like following this story telling platform not only inspires us to bigger and better things, but also provides a platform to bring culturally connected people together on a local and international scale. It working. We caught up with the guys to dig a little deeper into the brains + passion behind North Journal.
OC: WHERE ARE YOU + WHAT’S THE TIME?
MP: It’s 10:19am and I’m at my desk in Whale Beach. The sun is peaking through after 2 days of deluge from Sydney’s stormageddon.
TB: Sitting in the north journal office aka upstairs at home in whale beach. It’s 6.30pm
OC: TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO
MP: I’m Creative Director / Co-Founder of The North Journal. Broadly speaking I’m a graphic designer who aims to make beautiful things and experiences that means something.
TB: I am the co-founder and Director of Words at North Journal. Matt and I wanted to create a community based Newspaper that was relevant on a local and international level. Basically we wanted to tell meaningful stories.
OC: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
MP: Being able to make a call on something and put it out into the world because we think it’s important.
TB: I love story telling and connecting with all the amazing people the paper has put me in contact with, both our readers and the people we feature.
OC: WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?
MP: I guess normality is the biggest sacrifice, but let’s face it, I wasn’t that sad to let it go.
TB: Working multiple unstable jobs to ensure there was time to dedicate to the paper when deadline rolls around.
OC: WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
MP: Various states of flux, generally equating to flowing in the moment. Be that riding a wave, spilling out ideas or laughing with family and friends.
TB: Telling stories. Road trips. The ocean. Family and friends.
OC: TELL US ABOUT A HIGH POINT IN YOUR CAREER
MP: I hope the highest is still to come, but being flown to Reunion Island to cover a world tour bodyboarding event when I was Editor-In-Chief of Movement Mag was a great experience.
TB: Seeing the first issue of the North Journal in print after a year of attempting to make it happen.
OC: NOW TELL US ABOUT A LOW POINT
MP: Being made redundant due circumstances beyond my control three times in my short career.
TB: I don’t think there has been one, there have been tough days and times of stress but they all just teach us how to move forward.
OC: WHAT DID YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET OUT OF THERE?
MP: Learn how to hustle and know that your the one that has to take control of the situation, because no one else is going to do it for you.
TB: Mistakes are the best way to learn and move forward.
OC: WHAT’S YOUR COFFEE ORDER?
MP: YC1
TB: Double flat white.
OC: WHAT KICK ASS DAILY HABITS DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE?
MP: Start by making your bed, I find it has a direct correlation to my state of mind when I start my day.
TB: Get in the ocean everyday and everything else will fall into place.
OC: HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEA’S?
MP: Stimulation, Distraction and Disruption.
TB: Read, listen and watch. Then listen again.
OC: IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO START YOUR CAREER OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
MP: Learn to code from an early age.
TB: I sometimes think I would try and focus on one thing instead of spreading myself so thin across multiple projects, but as I grow I realise that’s how I work best and keep inspired. So nothing, wouldn’t change a thing.
OC: IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE PIECE OF BUSINESS ADVICE WITH OTHERS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
MP: Focus on making something great, the money will come.
TB: It’s cliche, but work in something you love, or at least work towards something you love. Don’t focus on money, if you love doing something you become naturally good at it, you work harder and the results are more satisfying. Eventually, whatever it is you are doing will be noticed, if you love it there is someone else out there that will love it.
OC: WHAT DO THE NEXT FEW MONTHS HOLD?
MP: Issue 6
TB: Another issue and another set of stories to be told.
OC: GIVE US THE 3 WORDS OTHER PEOLE WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOU
MP: Loyal, Cheeky, Interesting.
TB: Tall Enthusiastic Rambler
To find out more about NORTH JOURNAL, and get your hands on their next issue jammed packed with inspirational goodness, head over to their website >> www.thenorth.co