Kiwi Turns $10,000 Into Thriving Bali Wellness Haven
Janine Cottle walked away from 60-hour corporate workweeks with just $10,000 to launch a sanctuary where burned-out women could heal. Eighteen years later, her thriving Bali wellness retreats employ 100 locals and have welcomed over 15,000 guests worldwide.
Exhausted by relentless 60-hour workweeks, Janine Cottle decided to bet entirely on her own well-being and a bold dream. She resigned from her high-powered marketing career in New Zealand and booked a ticket to Indonesia with just $10,000 in savings.
That brave leap in 2008 laid the foundation for Escape Haven, a peaceful sanctuary in Canggu designed to help women rest before burning out. Eighteen years later, Janine has transformed that modest nest egg into an internationally recognized haven that has nurtured over 15,000 guests.
Building the dream from scratch in an unfamiliar country required immense grit and patience. Janine arrived knowing nobody, yet she gradually forged deep ties with the local Balinese community while crafting experiences that foster true restoration.
Her husband Trent joined her in Bali in 2014, and together they expanded the enterprise into three thriving wellness sanctuaries. Today, their offerings include Escape Haven, The Palm Tree House, and Mana Sanctuary, a dedicated center focused on recovery and longevity.
The couple now raises their three daughters in Canggu, balancing daily family bike rides and sunrise surf sessions with their purposeful work. Their children enjoy an idyllic outdoor childhood alongside three rescue dogs, immersed in local traditions and friendships spanning 15 nationalities.
The Ripple Effect
Janine's initial leap has created enduring, honorable careers for a close-knit team of 100 local staff members. Many of these talented individuals have worked alongside the couple for over a decade, sharing in the business's sustained growth.
Meanwhile, thousands of visitors from across the planet have returned home rejuvenated, carrying newfound balance back to their own families and workplaces. The venture proves that choosing personal restoration over chronic exhaustion can spark positive change that ripples outward for decades.
When you give yourself permission to step off the treadmill and reset, you unlock the power to create a truly extraordinary life.
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Based on reporting by Stuff NZ
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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