Backpacker to Entrepreneur: Carlton Klein's Journey to Lost Canyon Imports

Moving Along

Carlton Klein's first and most dramatic great adventure involved secretly dropping out of college, riding a bicycle to Mexico and taking every form of transportation but planes down to Bogota, Colombia. He writes, “I came away with some wild experiences like working on the Panama Canal, and trying to avoid drug mules in Mexico. That trip also did a lot for me in terms of reviving my zest for life and polishing out my social skills, but didn't sort out the larger issues.” It did, however, plant the seed for an idea that would become a business after another big transition.

Originally from Chevy Chase, Maryland, Carlton worked in Washington, D.C. and, once he headed back to school, earned a master’s degree in international development at the University of Maryland. He spent years spent living and working in developing countries including India, Burma (Myanmar) and Colombia.

He had just completed his field work in India, working with the Wildlife Trust of India, and returned to the U.S. Covid-19 hit not long after, and he wound up running logistics for two Covid field hospitals.

We discuss Carlton’s transition from backpacking wanderlust to entrepreneur with an import business, how he found his way out of his own personal nadir, how he got the idea for Lost Canyon Imports and how he envisions his future.

We talk about his concern over the growing homogeneity of the world, the fine line of exploitation and saving the arts of faraway cultures, and the sense of loss he feels as he witnesses cultures and traditions disappearing. One of the most tangible pieces of a culture, he believes, is the crafts they make. Carlton went back to Colombia, met with traditional artisans, filmed their process and the culture behind the pieces and started a company to sell their works in the U.S., contributing to a steady stream of income for them.

You can reach Carlton Klein here: [email protected]
Instagram: @lostcanyonimports
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@LostCanyonImports
Website: https://www.lostcanyonimports.com/

Places mentioned in this episode:
Chevy Chase, Maryland
McDaniel College
University of Maryland
Washington, D.C.
Austin, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Mexico
Panama Canal
Bogata, Colombia
Nevado del Tolima, Colombia
Burma
Myanmar
Bolvia
India
Sibundoy Valley, Colombia
Magdalena River, Colombia

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Audio editing by Bare Value.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from https://barevalue.com

Transcription and show notes edited by Anna Cerami.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

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