Renowned software entrepreneur and world traveler James Kappen has made a career out of his penchant for creative problem-solving, particularly as it relates to those problems so seemingly complex that the issue goes unresolved for quite some time despite the inherent frustration associated with its continued existence. Kappen, the founder and CEO of Proposable, has used his current venture to address an inefficiency that has plagued the global sales force for far too long, namely, the painful sales proposal process. Through Kappen’s efforts in creating the web-based platform at the heart of Proposable, sales professionals the world over can reap the reward of a streamlined system through which sales proposals can be designed, delivered, tracked and evaluated with an uncommon level of ease.

Kappen, a software entrepreneur known for his creativity and his consistently innovative approach, experienced how this particular inefficiency negatively affected so many aspects of his work responsibilities. With the creation of Proposable, a web-based sales proposal platform, Kappen felt sales staff would be able to devote more of their time and energy to creativity and customer service, an outcome that would be of clear benefit to all of the parties involved. The impetus, of course, was Kappen’s own frustrating experience in dealing with his own sales proposals.

A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Kappen holds a degree in economics and has been recognized as an expert in his field on a number of occasions. As the winner of the SproutBox Business Accelerator Program, Kappen was selected over thousands of other entrants and was therefore able to benefit from the guidance and insight provided by veteran investors and advisors. Through his unique combination of academic and entrepreneurial experience, along with access to exceptional mentoring from leading experts in their respective fields, Kappen brings a rare skill set to his role as founder and CEO of Proposable.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

Seeing how things are done in different parts of the world really provides a unique perspective and sometimes reveals how the accepted or established practice is not always the same as the best practice.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I’d like for it to be more of a lifestyle even though I travel quite frequently.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

I’m obviously biased, but it’s Santa Barbara for me.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Yes, my wife and I have a few upcoming trips. One really relaxing trip would be our annual sailing adventure to Catalina island.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Turn off your phone. Try to find places in which getting lost is not inherently unsafe, and then go ahead and get lost, then ask locals when you have any question. All sorts of cool things happen when you take this approach.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to visit New Zealand and Australia, but I don’t want to go until I have more than enough time to really experience both countries.

Where would you like to revisit?

I had a wonderful experience taking a trip to Nicaragua last year, so I’d like to go back again in the future.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I’ve done my fair share of solo trips and have always had an outstanding time, but when I travel with others I like to be sure that we are on the same page in terms of our plans and expectations long before we depart.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

I’d pick anywhere in the Mediterranean, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia; and Patagonia, Chile.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I almost always pack very little no matter how I travel, but I do try pack according to the range of potential weather conditions and the duration of the trip.

Senior underwriting professional Randi Glazer has held a variety of executive leadership positions over the last decade in which her extensive underwriting expertise has been of tremendous value. Ms. Glazer’s practical expertise regarding her industry is not the only positive benefit stemming from her years of experience as an underwriting professional, as she has also developed a wholly unique leadership style based on her own experience working under executives who employed a wide range of management strategies to varying degrees of success.

Ms. Glazer holds degrees in economics and business, earning the former as an undergraduate through the State University of New York at Geneseo and securing the latter, an MBA, from American Intercontinental University while graduating summa cum laude. An expert in international business who has spent extensive time abroad, Ms. Glazer travels often due to her professional responsibilities as well as due to the sincere joy derived from frequent travel to foreign destinations. While her experience traveling abroad is hardly limited to just a few destinations, Ms. Glazer has spent extended periods of time in England, France and Germany.

As the underwriting director of RM Global Risk Management, Ms. Glazer has continued to draw on her exceptional knowledge of the industry and is rightly credited for establishing the firm as an immense success in its field. In providing consulting services to clients all over the globe, Ms. Glazer’s understanding of the international arena has proved to be of significant value, particularly when combined with her unparalleled knowledge of so many aspects of the underwriting industry. With specific expertise in some of the more complex areas of the field, Ms. Glazer has played a critical role in the success of countless clients and is poised to achieve a great deal more through her executive leadership responsibilities.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

I travel quite a lot for work and for recreation, so my favorite part of traveling is the opportunity to see old friends, especially if it has been some time since I have been able to see them in person.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s absolutely a lifestyle. I got started while working on my master’s degree, and I’ve since pursued just about every opportunity to travel for work or for recreation.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Bordeaux, France.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’ll be traveling back to Long Island to visit family sometime soon, and I’m hoping to return to Europe shortly thereafter.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

You’ll always have more fun asking the locals for advice rather than referring to a travel guide.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to spend some time in the Caribbean or Central America.

Where would you like to revisit?

I’ve always had a wonderful time in France and have many dear friends I’d like to visit there.

Do you travel alone? Why?

When I travel for work I usually travel alone, but my preference is to have a few friends with me when traveling for recreation.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Bordeaux, France; London, England; and Berlin, Germany.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I’m not a fan of traveling light, so I usually bring as much as I’m able whenever I travel.

Hard-working and devoted educational consultant, Michele Frazier, is the most sought after adolescent mentor in the United States. With the desire to see every child succeed and grow, Michele Frazier has turned her focus toward her discovered passion. Ever since beginning her career in the education service, Ms. Frazier has been determined to bring out the best in others in order for them to reach their goals and over all achieve their goals.

Ms. Frazier started her career teaching young children in the comfort and security of her classroom in a public school. Today, Ms. Frazier runs the most highly searched for and respected mentorship program for children in America.

Although highly involved with her students and maturing pupils, Ms. Frazier understand the importance of taking time for yourself to relax and recharge with a much needed vacation and traveling.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

My most favorite thing about traveling is creating memories. Everything we see will one day pass away, but we hold on to memories.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

Traveling would have to be a hobby as I am too tied up in my student’s lives to make it a lifestyle. I started traveling as a young age when I moved to Oregon from Nebraska.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

While I haven’t been outside the United States just yet, Oregon is breathtaking with impressive mountains.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I would love to Florida again sometime soon. I made some great friends there. Sadly, no travel plans.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

If at all possible, do not take any pets with you.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to go to Berlin, Germany eventually

Where would you like to revisit?

Honestly, I’m missing home in Nebraska. I’d like to see family.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I travel alone, yes, but that doesn’t mean I want to. I’d rather travel with friends but they’re all so busy!

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

From what I have heard, everyone needs to go to New York, London and Philadelphia

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I have to pack up the house! Better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Ian Leaf is the founder and principal investigator of “Ian Leaf Fraud Watcher,” a comprehensive network of organizations specializing in preventing, detecting and resolving issues associated with the schemes carried out by fraudsters and scammers. Recognizing the increasing prevalence and sophistication of fraud across a wide range of circumstances, Ian Leaf contacted Ian Andrews, funding expert, to take the initial steps in creating a network of fraud prevention specialists designed to reduce the likelihood of consumers being targeted by fraudsters and scammers. It was this initial contact that led to Leaf’s venture expanding to include “Ian Leaf Tax Fraud Prevention and Investigation” as well as “Ian Leaf Fraudster Identification and Resolution.”

With Leaf and Andrews spearheading a campaign to snuff out fraud and fraudsters before consumers were adversely affected, awareness was raised regarding the need to adopt a greater focus on prevention rather than on resolution. Given the pair’s level of expertise and complementary skill set, Ian Leaf, HFC expert, and Ian Andrews, fraudster prevention specialist, have been able to achieve a great deal of progress in reducing the incidence of fraud and identifying the areas of weakness scammers are most likely to target in future schemes. Due to the inroads made by both Leaf and Andrews, demand for their services has risen substantially while the duo continues to educate and inform the public regarding the risks and vulnerabilities fraudsters and scammers may try to take advantage of sometime in the near future.

Proud of the progress made through “Ian Leaf Tax Fraud Prevention and Investigation,” Leaf and Andrews are nonetheless diligently researching new strategies aimed at reducing fraudulent behavior and scams targeting consumers. Leaf, a dedicated professional who works long hours in the service of the public, rarely indulges in anything that takes him away from his work, but world travel has often been the lone exception to this rule.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

It’s rare that I have the opportunity to travel since I am so committed to my work, which is why my favorite thing about traveling is having the opportunity to simply rest and relax away from those everyday stresses we all share.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I wish it could be a lifestyle, but it is a hobby for me at the moment. I first became interested in world travel as an undergraduate student studying abroad for a semester in the United Kingdom.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

New Zealand is by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve been too. Switzerland is a close second.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Yes, I’ll be heading to Ireland later on this year.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I believe immersing oneself in another culture for an extended period of time is of significant value, so I always advocate for a lengthier stay whenever someone asks my advice.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to go to Nova Scotia at some point.

Where would you like to revisit?

I spent some time in Australia and New Zealand several years ago, so I’d like to go back again if at all possible.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I usually do travel alone, mostly because I prefer to stay in a single destination for longer than is convenient for most.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

New Zealand is magnificent, Switzerland is heavenly, and Belize is just endlessly enjoyable.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I travel light and figure out what I really need from the locals in the area in which I’ll be staying.

Dr. Sid Solomon, dentist, educator and inventor, is the founder of the Center for Cosmetic, Implant & Neuromuscular Dentistry, a Los Angeles-area practice known for its innovative treatment methods and its exceptionally lofty standards for dental care. Founded in 1986 by Dr. Sid Solomon, Los Angeles patients in need of the advanced dental care provided by the Center for Cosmetic, Implant and Neuromuscular Dentistry have benefited tremendously from the multiple locations that have since been established throughout the area by Dr. Solomon.

In Dr. Sid Solomon, West Hills residents — as well as those residing throughout the entirety of the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond — have recognized the rarity of such accessibility to a professional who has long been hailed as an innovator in his field and is truly dedicated to relieving the physical and emotional pain experienced by patients due to a whole host of issues. A dentist of unparalleled expertise, Dr. Sid Solomon, DDS, has accomplished a great deal throughout his professional career and has been lauded for his continual advocacy regarding the need to create and pursue continuing education efforts and to move the field of dentistry ever forward through the use of innovative measures.

After completing his undergraduate degree at UCLA, Dr. Sid Solomon earned his doctorate from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and officially began what can easily be described as an illustrious 30-year career in cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry. During those three decades of practice, not only has Dr. Solomon treated countless patients in need of dental care, but he has also invented Unitox, founded Solomon Consulting and served as an associate clinical professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Dr. Solomon has also demonstrated his own dedication to continuing education, as he has completed a number of advanced classes over the years, including Advanced Function Aesthetics, Full Mouth Reconstruction, and Practical Occlusion for the Progressive Practice, among many others.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

Traveling is a great vehicle for spending time with my family, which is obviously very important to me.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I’d consider it a hobby, though I’m looking forward to it becoming more of a lifestyle in the future since it is something I have always found both inspiring and relaxing.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

The mountains, beaches and coral reefs of Bali are simply magnificent.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

My family and I are planning on sitting down together in order to choose a destination for our next vacation, but I have yet to be disappointed in any place we have visited.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

No matter where you are, waking up early ensures you avoid any crowds and that you don’t feel rushed to squeeze activities in.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to take an extended trip to South Africa, but my schedule is not usually conducive to lengthy trips away from Los Angeles.

Where would you like to revisit?

I think my family and I will be going back to Bali very soon.

Do you travel alone? Why?

No, I love having my family with me whenever I travel.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

I’d pick Big Sur, Bali, and Rome.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

We tend to pack up quite a bit when we travel, but it’s usually a manageable amount.

Lee Trotman has been in the digital marketing and e-commerce space since his days at Southern California Edison. At SCE, he created digital marketing campaigns and e-commerce platforms to enhance the lives of 6.5 million customers. Then he joined Natrol Incorporated, the third largest manufacturer of nutritional supplements in the nation as the Director of Digital Marketing and E-commerce, where he created industry-specific digital campaigns designed to enhance the lives of millions of customers. With his IT background, Lee Trotman designs, redesigns and overhauls websites to optimize transactions and increase sales exponentially. His list of clients range from consumer products to energy services and solutions, and everything else in between

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What is your favorite thing about traveling?

New life experiences. I always learn something new when traveling.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you?

Both a lifestyle and a hobby. I suppose you could say it’s what I do to keep life interesting.

How did you get started?

As a kid, I lived in Germany, Japan and Korea before returning to the U.S.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Aruba is absolutely gorgeous. I would have to go back soon.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Yes. Back to London, and Spain in the fall.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Get a passport, sign up for Expedia, and start searching.

Where would you like to go?

Back to Venice, Italy, Milan, Lake Como

Where would you like to revisit?

Aruba is most surely on my top 3 places to go back to.

Do you travel alone? Why?

No. Traveling with people is more fun.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

New York, D.C. and London.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

Travel light. Nothing can ruin a trip more than being over burdened with too much stuff. If you have too little stuff, it becomes a daring adventure.

A physician specializing in obstetrics, gynecology and IVF, Dr. Raouf Farag continues to treat patients at his Central Coast practice with the care and compassion for which he is known throughout the Gosford, New South Wales area. A longstanding advocate for a high level of personalization in all aspects of medical care, Dr. Farag and his staff have gone to great lengths to ensure that each and every patient seeking medical care through the Central Coast office is provided the opportunity to thoroughly discuss the many available treatment options in order to ensure the best possible patient outcome is achieved.

Dr. Farag’s office is equipped with the most recent advancements in medical technology, and the IVF specialist has long been committed to continuing education opportunities in order to ensure his patients have access to a wide range of treatment options. This philosophy regarding the desire for continually seeking strategies for progress and improvement pervades every aspect of Dr. Farag’s practice, including all facets of obstetric and gynecological care.

Recognizing the fact that pregnancy is a life-altering experience that ought to be comfortable and enjoyable, Dr. Farag and his staff — which includes several midwives and sonographers — do everything within their power to ensure that patients receive an exceptional level of highly personalized care throughout the entirety of the pregnancy and extending all the way through to the postnatal period.

Providing an exceptional degree of flexibility in the patient care services available through his office, Dr. Farag is frequently lauded for his exacting approach in designing a patient care plan along with his willingness to make time in his schedule in order to address any issue a patient may be experiencing. Utilizing an innovative model in which to provide operative obstetrics along with other varied medical services, Dr. Farag has earned a reputation for providing patients with consistently exceptional medical care.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

There are so many benefits to frequent travel, particularly with regard to education and the opportunity for cultural experiences.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

For me, it is more of a hobby. It is not very often that I am able to spend much time away from my practice.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

The Iberian Peninsula is stunning, with Galicia being a particular favorite of mine.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Not at the moment, but I have been considering where I might go the next time I have a chance to travel.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Travel in the manner that suits you best. I prefer to plan well ahead and to thoroughly research a location, but I have many friends who prefer to travel in a much more spontaneous fashion.

Where would you like to go?

I would like to visit Timor, especially some of its offshore islands like Jaco and Atauro.

Where would you like to revisit?

I’d like to spend some more time in Spain as well as parts of the Northeast in the United States

Do you travel alone? Why?

I like to bring friends and family along when I travel, in part for companionship but also for a whole host of other reasons.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Galicia, Spain will always be one of my first recommendations, and I think it would be worth spending extended periods of time in either India or Japan.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

If I am going someplace for an extended period of time, I am very likely to pack up the house.

Recognizing the need to provide a greater degree of accessibility to highly individualized academic programs as well as an environment entirely conducive to the achievement of student learning goals, Scott Groza co-founded the Groza Learning Center as a means through which this critical need could be met. An educator with well over a decade of prior teaching experience, Scott, along with fellow co-founder Christy Groza, has worked diligently to ensure that each student is able to benefit from the challenging and enjoyable academic environment made available through the Groza Learning Center.

Residing in Southern California for many years, Scott feels a great sense of pride in the rigorous learning environment he has made available to students in the area in need of a personalized approach that ensures they are able to achieve their individual academic goals. Located in Pacific Palisades, Scott selected the location for the Groza Learning Center based on a number of critical factors, with the positive impact of the natural surroundings ranking as most important among them. The interior décor is similarly oriented around the goal of creating the most ideal learning environment for students, and the results thus far clearly indicate this focus has had a critical and overwhelmingly positive impact on student achievement.

As an educator, Scott has long been a proponent of the academic benefits associated with immersive experiences and has taken advantage of every travel opportunity he has had over the years. Scott’s varied travels have played a role in shaping his beliefs regarding best practices in education, and many of the most effective strategies used at the Groza Learning Center have been at least partially inspired by something learned during one of his countless travel experiences. Despite having traveled all over the world, Scott maintains that there is simply no place that can compare with Southern California.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

The experience of traveling is personally enriching in so many ways, and I love the endless educational opportunities that exist through travel.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

Education is such a central part of my life that travel — being a natural extension of education — is certainly more of a lifestyle than a hobby.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Alaska. I experienced a state of perpetual awe as I explored this state.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’ve always wanted to visit Australia- it ranks high on my list.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I prefer to make detailed travel plans well in advance and make sure I incorporate a wide range of contingencies when creating those plans. Also, hiring a professional to coordinate travel can make for unique experiences you wouldn’t be able to arrange on your own.

Where would you like to go?

I’ve been thinking I’d like to see Iceland sometime in the future.

Where would you like to revisit?

Italy will always be my first choice, but I prefer to go someplace I’ve never seen before.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I prefer company when I travel, but I also try to avoid traveling with a large group.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Rome, Athens and Barcelona.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I try to pack light, but it’s always difficult to avoid bringing more than is necessary.

A financial services professional with close to three decades of experience in critical leadership positions, Darren Pawski is currently offering his exceptional insight and expertise to clients throughout Western Australia in his role as the managing director of Synergy Financial Solutions. Mr. Pawski is responsible for the oversight of every aspect of mortgage services for the boutique financial services firm, and he has worked diligently to ensure that the firm is able to consistently exceed client expectations while providing a holistic approach to finance and mortgage services.

While Mr. Pawski can point to nearly 30 years of practical industry experience that includes time spent working with Commonwealth Bank and a variety of other industry-leading institutions, he has nonetheless remained impressively dedicated to pursuing additional professional certifications and has taken advantage of countless academic opportunities as well. The graduate of Deakin University holds a Diploma of Financial Planning and has also earned his Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking from Kaplan. Mr. Pawski is also currently enrolled at Edith Cowan University as he pursues a Master of Finance and Banking degree.

Known for his tremendous work ethic and his unwavering devotion to his responsibilities in providing the best possible finance and mortgage services to clients, Mr. Pawski has managed to orient his busy schedule in such a way that he is still able to dedicate a considerable amount of time performing volunteer work in the support of a variety of worthwhile causes. Though he is incredibly active in a number of charitable endeavors, Mr. Pawski has continually supported the aged-care sector and has spent countless hours in the company of nursing home residents throughout Perth as well as the whole of Western Australia.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

Traveling gives me the opportunity to develop an understanding of other perspectives and to gain a greater depth of knowledge regarding a culture that may be different from my own.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I’d say it’s more of a hobby. I just enjoy the experience and the ability to discover new things.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Belize is phenomenal, as are several places throughout Argentina.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’m hoping to spend some time in Hawaii in the near future.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I’ve heard it said that the best way to travel is to do so without much forethought, but I like to do quite a bit of research before I even begin making firm plans to travel.

Where would you like to go?

I’ve always wanted to go to Okinawa, so hopefully I’ll be able to do so before too long.

Where would you like to revisit?

I think I’d like to spend more time in Argentina.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I can see the benefits of traveling alone or with a group, so I’ve tried to do both.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

The Andes, the Amazon and the Himalayas.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I prefer to travel light. It is just the most practical way to travel.