quarantiki island

It Started With an Ironing Board (2021)

February 1, 2020. Our first child arrived, and life was beautiful chaos. We managed to go out maybe three times before the world locked down.

Like millions of others, I found myself stuck at home during quarantine. But unlike most people, I had a living room, an ironing board, some tiki paraphernalia, and a professional stash of spirits from my work with a global spirits provider

So I did what any whiskey specialist turned exhausted new parent would do: I transformed that ironing board into a tiki bar, threw a tablecloth over it, decorated it with whatever tiki decor I could find, and declared it "The Most Exclusive Bar in the World."

The rules were simple: Whatever washed ashore went into the cocktail.

Our Story

From Necessity to Creativity

At the time, I was specializing in single malt whiskey, rum, and gin for —visiting bars, restaurants, and stores for tastings. I had sample bottles I'd take into accounts for demos and education. When the world shut down and I couldn't visit clients in person anymore, I needed a way to stay connected.

QuaranTiki Island was born on Facebook and Instagram Stories.

But here's the twist: I had mostly whiskey on hand. So I started reimagining classic tiki cocktails with scotch instead of rum. Mai Tais with single malt. Old Fashioneds with a tiki twist. Unconventional? Absolutely. But that became the island spirit—creative, resourceful, a little rebellious, and always willing to experiment with whatever washed ashore.

The Characters Come to Life

My son's stuffed animals became the cast of characters, each developing their own personality through the stories I'd share:

Jimpson the Shark - Started as a cute toy, evolved into the reformed ocean predator turned bouncer. The guardian of island vibes and podcast host who takes his role very seriously.

Robbie Bowie the Hedgehog - The musical mystic, brother of David Bowie (naturally). He drifts between sound and silence, teaching that frequency isn't just music—it's the code of creation.

Lesichka Foxxy - Half mystic, half mysterious. She runs the Den of Digital Zen and believes hydration is a spiritual practice. Always glowing, always inspiring.

The Elusive Barback - Never fully seen, always essential to keeping things running behind the scenes.

These weren't just props for content. They became characters with depth, wisdom, and the kind of personality that resonated with people who were also stuck at home, looking for a creative escape.

The Evolution: From Spirits to Spirit

Fast forward to today, and everything has transformed.

I moved to Costa Rica—a place that embodies the "Pura Vida" lifestyle I'd been seeking without fully knowing it. My entire approach to life shifted. I stopped drinking alcohol entirely, not from a place of restriction, but from genuine evolution and discovery of what truly nourishes me.

With my brother-in-law, we bought a property here with an incredible space—a place where QuaranTiki Island could become more than stories on social media. A place where the virtual world I'd created could merge with physical reality.

And here's where it gets exciting: with AI animation technology advancing rapidly, those stuffed animal characters that entertained people during lockdown? They're coming to life in ways I only dreamed about during those early days on the ironing board. Animated stories, educational content, entertainment that blends humor with genuine wisdom.

What QuaranTiki Island Means Now

QuaranTiki Island is escapism for people who've outgrown the bar.

Maybe you're a parent who remembers losing your social life overnight—to kids, to lockdowns, to life just getting busier.

Maybe you've quit drinking or cut back significantly, but you miss the ritual, the creativity, the community, the feeling of stepping away from daily stress into something special.

Maybe you're tired of the same old wellness content that takes itself too seriously, or bar culture that glorifies excess.

Maybe you just need something different—something that feeds your soul without the hangover, that makes you laugh while actually teaching you something useful, that lets you escape without checking out.

This is that place.

The QuaranTiki Lifestyle: Tiki Culture Meets Modern Wellness

We blend the nostalgic appeal of tiki culture with mindfulness, the laid-back wisdom of Costa Rica's "Pura Vida" philosophy, and the creative possibilities of modern technology.

It's retro nostalgia meets contemporary wellness. It's animated storytelling meets real-world transformation. It's a community of people who appreciate:

Creativity over conformity - We experiment, we play, we don't take ourselves too seriously
Ritual without restriction - You can have meaningful experiences without alcohol
Humor with depth - We laugh, but we're also here to grow and learn
Virtual and physical worlds merging - Digital content that enhances real life, and eventually, a real space in Costa Rica

It's Not Just an Island, It's a Lifestyle

QuaranTiki Island is for the reformed bar-goers, the curious seekers, the creatively restless, and anyone who believes life is too short for boring escapes.

We've been through lockdowns, career changes, personal transformations, and geographic relocations. We know what it's like to need a break from reality—and we know it doesn't have to come in a glass or leave you feeling depleted the next day.

The island lifestyle is about:

Finding creative escape in everyday life
Building community without the bar scene
Embracing transformation while honoring where you came from
Blending humor, wellness, and genuine connection
Making space for play and imagination in adult life.

The Next Chapter: Building the Physical Island

What started on an ironing board is evolving into an actual destination. We're developing the physical QuaranTiki Island space in Costa Rica—a place where the animated stories, the characters, the philosophy, and the community can come together in real life.

It won't be a traditional bar. It won't be a typical wellness retreat. It'll be QuaranTiki Island—where you can experience the lifestyle, meet fellow island members, participate in creative workshops, enjoy alcohol-free "elixirs," and genuinely escape the ordinary.

Island Members get first access and exclusive invitations when we open.

Welcome to the Island

Your journey here might have started differently than mine. Maybe you found us through social media, or a friend shared a character story, or you were searching for something you couldn't quite name.

But if you're here, you're probably ready for a different kind of escape. One that enriches instead of depletes. One that makes you laugh while teaching you something useful. One that honors your past while embracing your evolution.

Welcome to QuaranTiki Island. Your ironing board awaits.

Join the Island Community

Ready to escape the ordinary?

Exclusive Member Benefits:

Early access toanimated character episodes and stories
Special discounts on island merchandise and experiences (15-20% off)
Behind-the-scenes content from Costa Rica and the physical island development
Digital guides, meditations, and alcohol-free "elixir" recipes
Island wisdom: Practices and perspectives from the QuaranTiki lifestyle
First invitations and priority booking when the physical space opens
Connection with a community of creative, mindful, reform-minded individuals

Because the most exclusive bar in the world isn't about who gets in—it's about who's ready to transform.

Become a Member

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The characters that
started it all

During lockdown, my son's stuffed animals became the cast of QuaranTiki Island. Now, with AI animation, they're coming to life with their own stories, wisdom, and island adventures.

Keeper of the Bar | Barefoot Philosopher

The Bartender

He washed ashore with a muddler, a half-empty bottle of bitters, and way too many theories about reality. By day, he serves up elixirs made from whatever the tide brings in. By night, he wonders if consciousness is just a cosmic cocktail that needs a good stir. Always calm, slightly sunburned, and never out of jokes, the Bartender is the island’s unofficial therapist—whether you ordered wisdom or not.

“You look like someone who could use an elixir… or at least a laugh.”

Get Today’s Elixir

Head of Security | Reformed Ocean Predator

Jimpson the "Doorman"

Once feared as the terror of the tide, Jimpson retired from open-water intimidation after realizing the only thing he truly wanted to protect was vibe integrity. These days, he’s the island’s bouncer, stoic guardian, and occasional podcast creator. Jimpson takes pride in maintaining the Island's vibe and title of Most Exclusive Bar in the World!

“Keep the peace, keep the vibe, keep the island clean.”

The Deep Podcast

Digital Zen Coach | H2Ohm Ambassador

Lesichka Foxxy

Half mystic, half mysterious, and always sly, Lesichka Foxxy believes hydration is a spiritual practice and Wi-Fi is an energy field. She runs the Den of Digital Zen, where she teaches followers to breathe through bandwidth issues and align their chakras with the algorithm. Always glowing, always fun, Lesichka’s brand is self-love with a side of sparkle — and she never misses a chance to plug her signature product, H2Ohm.

“Your aura’s buffering — let’s reboot your reality.”

Den of Digital Zen

Resident Musician | Professor of Higher Learning

Robbie Bowie

Bowie drifts between sound and silence, teaching that frequency isn’t just music — it’s the code of creation. He claims to have once played a set for dolphins and data packets at the same time. Whether he’s talking about his travels, adaptogens, or the mysteries of mango enzymes, Robbie makes learning sound like a late-night jam session at the edge of enlightenment. His series Higher Learning is part lecture, part lullaby, and all groove.

“Every molecule’s got a melody — you just have to listen between the beats.”

Higher Learning