FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
A Little Change A Day:
Soulshine Bali's Mission
for Meaningful Impact
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
In the colorful core of Ubud, Soulshine Bali celebrates the nature of intentional design and holistic living. Co-founded by musician and filmmaker Michael Franti and Sara Franti, a nurse and the founder of “Do It For The Love”, this boutique resort highlights their dedication to sustaining creativity, well-being, and environmental harmony. They have dedicated 50% of the land to development while preserving the other half as an abundant green space. Their devotion continues further as they donate a portion of their annual profits to support crucial causes such as maternal health, education, cultural preservation, and environmental initiatives.
Soulshine Bali illustrates the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which reflects the harmony between people, nature, and the spirit. This ethos is driven into every aspect of the resort, from its personalized wellness experiences to its farm-to-table dining. The resort’s focus on conscious practices marks the belief that every small step is a larger one for positive impact. Their vision at Soulshine Bali is more than just a retreat; it is a reflection of their values and a call to action for a more in-sync and sustainable world.
AUTHENCITY & CREATIVITY: A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Sara, a child of refugee parents, grew up preserving her cultural heritage in Canada. Now in Bali, she and Michael focus on authentically honoring Balinese culture at Soulshine Bali, combining heritage with modernity to make sure it is meaningfully shared with guests. Together, they've created a space brimming with creativity, collaborating with local artists to showcase unique art and cultural touches throughout the property. Their mission is to help guests rediscover their creativity through unexpected experiences–whether sliding down a water slide, playing in the rice fields, or dancing to a DJ–hoping they’ll carry that inspiration home.
CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS
At Soulshine, Michael and Sara prioritize preserving green space by building on only 50% of their land and integrating plants into their architecture to honor Bali’s natural beauty. They’ve created a path through rice fields to showcase the journey from seedling to harvest and developed a “fruit forest” filled with jackfruit, rambutan, and mango trees for guests to explore. Their commitment to responsible business initiatives not only inspires others with best practices that benefit both land and community but also creates a deep sense of unity among their team–especially during the pandemic–an atmosphere that guests immediately feel.
Michael takes great pride in Soulshine’s organic farming practices, where produce from the farm, rice fields, and fruit trees flows directly into the kitchen. Guests are invited to pick their own fruits and vegetables, select their favorites, and then join a traditional Balinese cooking lesson, offering a hands-on experience that deepens their connection to the vibrant flavors and cultural heritage of the land.
RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES IN ACTION
At Soulshine, Michael and Sara have introduced large composting systems to recycle kitchen and garden waste, while expanding solar energy use across their buildings. They focus on freshwater conservation by raising guest awareness and implementing rainwater catchment systems. In their mission to eliminate plastic, they’ve replaced straws with bamboo alternatives and encouraged vendors to switch from plastic to cloth bags. Their approach is about making small, but consistent changes, creating opportunities for guests to learn and be inspired by such practices.
A LITTLE CHANGE A DAY
Michael believes the key to improvement lies in assessing both successes and shortcomings. By focusing on areas where they fall short, they can address guest needs while becoming more conscious. This benefits not only their guests and the hotel’s finances but also the community and natural environment. Sara advocates for integrity-driven practices, with nightly discussions centered on finding small, manageable ways to improve. They encourage others to start with just “a little change each day”, knowing that these steps lead to meaningful progress over time.
BEYOND SERVICE, THE IMPACT OF CARE
In 2007, Michael began working with the Bumi Sehat Natural Birthing Center after meeting its founder, Robin Lim, whose dedication to providing free natural birthing care deeply resonated with him. A fundraiser organized by Michael’s band helped purchase land for their new center, which had special significance–Lim revealed it was where she had delivered over 20 babies before founding Bumi Sehat. Since then, Soulshine’s commitment to Bumi Sehat has only grown, supporting disaster relief efforts and encouraging guests at Soulshine Bali to visit and contribute.
Soulshine dedicates 1-3% of its annual profits to maternal health, education, cultural preservation, and the environment. Over nearly a decade, their partnership with Bumi Sehat has enabled them to fund ambulances, support midwives, and raise $50,000 for Bumi Sehat’s clinic in Lombok. These efforts, alongside the involvement of their guests, remain a source of pride for Michael and Sara as they continue supporting the community.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Sara reflects on how community lies at the core of everything they do, from Michael’s music to their nonprofit work, especially at Soulshine. They put their local community first, with 80% of their 100-plus team members coming from the village or nearby, creating a supportive, symbiotic relationship. This connection spreads to guest experiences, with locals leading activities like gamelan lessons, joget dancing, and cultural dinners. Even their drivers, who are from the village, often become part of the guest experience, helping create a sense of family that brings many visitors back.
For Michael, music is central to Soulshine’s identity. Their Togetherness Lounge brings people together through music, and his international experiences as a touring artist have been influenced by Balinese music and the collaborative spirit of the local community. He draws inspiration from the Banjar way of living, where families unite to make decisions for the greater good, a contrast to his upbringing in the United States, and a philosophy he believes the world could greatly benefit from.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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