The Art of the Leap: Beyond the Default Path
Finding the Courage to Reimagine Life’s Possibilities
Two decades ago, David Putnam and Yair Lichtenstein ditched unsatisfying careers in law and marine science to open a tiny surf shop on the sunny shores of Aruba. No retail experience or formal business plan. Just a shared vision of building a life they wouldn’t need a vacation from.
In Little Giant, author Marcia Heath captures how these two trailblazers transformed their audacious dream into a profitable reality. As rookie retailers, they founded their startup on three radically simple ideas: stay friends, have fun, and serve the community. Blending memoir with biography, Heath reveals how their courageous choices and unconventional mindset inspired her—a burnt-out executive—to finally pursue her lifelong dream as an author.
It’s one of many revelations in this captivating exploration of what it really takes to seek a more joyful, authentic life:
- Practical wisdom for taking intelligent risks and trusting your instincts
- Why you should never let a good crisis go to waste
- How to turn limitations into creative advantages
- Strategies for creating work that (almost) feels like play
- Insights on building genuine connections in an age of epidemic loneliness
Whether you’re poised for a bold leap or just exploring possibilities, Little Giant invites you to pause, reflect, and listen to what’s calling to your heart.
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What Readers Are Saying: Early Rave Reviews
“This beautiful book is a fountain of inspiration about living adventurously and on your own terms.”
William Parkhurst, New York Times bestselling author of True Detectives
“The characters and their stories moved and delighted me, and the book itself is gorgeous.”
Shelley Sperry, author of What’s the Big Idea?
“…a beautiful story of two men chasing their dreams, but not in the default ‘more is better’ way. The flow of the book reminded me of Tuesdays with Morrie. I wish there were more books like this.”
Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path and Good Work
“This compelling exploration…enlivens our understanding of our own dreams, lives, and work.”
Elizabeth Garber, author of Sailing at the Edge of Disaster
“This book sounds like a Hollywood feel-good movie. Well, the ‘feel good’ is there, but the story is very real. Little Giant is for the dreamers in all of us.”
BookTrib
“Little Giant offers wisdom on business and friendship from an improbable venture in the Caribbean.”
Murray Carpenter, author of Caffeinated
A story so captivating, it’s being made into a documentary film
In 2003, David and Yair set up shop on the Caribbean island of Aruba, Yair’s native country. As self-made entrepreneurs, they faced the usual dark moments of personal doubt, financial worries, and competitive pressures.
Against long odds, they transformed Bula from a nondescript storefront into a highly profitable business that’s an incubator for local talent and the cultural heart of the island.
The forthcoming documentary will let you experience this amazing story and the Caribbean setting that made it possible.
Subscribe for updates on the Little Giant documentary due for release in 2025.
Underdog heroes: ‘We went from stupid to less stupid.’
Yair and David admit they never had a ten-point plan or magic mantra. As they jokingly like to say, “We went from stupid to less stupid!” Their humility offers a refreshing change from self-serving business books.
Yair and David detest publicity. They only agreed to do interviews for the book when the author promised no “claiming,” surf slang for uncool boosting.
Little Giant tells the real story, not a whitewashed version.
Little Giant tells the real story, not a whitewashed version.
Part Caribbean escapism, part inspirational guide for bold life changes
With more than 50 photos of remote beaches, towering cacti, and exotic wildlife, Little Giant transports you to a world tourists rarely see. They’re the kind of images that make you smile and relax at the same time.
Little Giant invites you to live vicariously through David and Yair’s unconventional pursuit of happiness while gaining practical wisdom for your own journey.
Get inspired by two best friends who refused to settle for what society expected of them.
Ready to ride the wave of new possibilities?
Little Giant is for anyone who’s ever dreamed of taking a bold leap, but never quite made it happen. You don’t need to open a surf shop—or even visit the Caribbean—to apply these life tips to your own life.
Order your copy today:
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