Look After Me Homestay Network was chosen as 'Hot Pick" in May's Next Magazine
Julia Charity says she's had a ''pretty typical entrepreneurial journey''.
''I've been burnt out, ripped off and broke. You just learn to never let anything compromise the dream.''
This week's 'Our People' is about Rotorua Entreprenuer Julia Charity.
If Julia Charity was a doll she'd be one of the double-faceted kind. On one side she'd appear as the consummate scientist, turn it around and she'd be seen as an entrepreneur.
New Plymouth homeowners have adopted the spirit of embracing cultural diversity to help bridge the shortfall in beds needed for Womad, the music festival coming to the city this weekend.
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There are still a few beds available in New Plymouth through commercial accommodation providers but Karen Longstaff, Team Leader at New Plymouth i-site Puke Ariki, says that some festival goers tend to leave booking their accommodation to the last minute. “With commercial accommodation either full, or requiring two-three night minimums, we’re now looking to our lists of homeowners to help out with demand.” Typically Womad festival goers are looking for somewhere clean, comfortable and affordable for the night.”
NZ's Homestay Network - Look After Me will also now be looking after cyclists travelling along Rotorua’s Cycle Trail, Te Ara Ahi – Thermal by Bike, having proudly become the trail’s Official Accommodation partner in August 2013. 
Published by Destination Rotorua Marketing in Summer 2014 issue of 'In Essence.'
An estimated 20,000,000 viewers are expected to watch a Korean Reality TV show featuring New Zealand residents and iconic tourist attractions.
Korea’s No. 1 reality TV show ‘Dad, where are we going? aired in Korea on Sunday 24 November. Produced by MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation), the show features five celebrity fathers and their children as they undertake weekly challenges.
Photo caption: 'Dad, where are we going?' celebrity father Yoon Minsoo and son Yoon Hoo, fishing at Lake Tarawera.
The Dragon's Den has arrived in Rotorua - but for the first entrepreneur to pitch it was an "exhilarating" rather than scary experience.
The finalists for the 2013 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards have been announced.
Convenor of judges Linda Macpherson, was impressed with the standard of entries.
"The 12 top business minds that make up this year's judging panel have been blown away by the level of commitment entrants have shown to not only their business but the broader Rotorua community.
"The judges are looking forward to the challenge of determining the winners from a strong line-up of finalists.
Published in NZ Business, August 2013: Regular Article - Today, on the Soap Box is Entrepreneur and Founder of 'Look After Me Ltd -NZ's Hospitality Network, Dr Julia Charity:
As a typical hot-blooded entrepreneur, I’m not too proud to admit I strut a few mantras around in my head. ‘Failure is not an option’ is one that clangs with regular gaiety. It was, until now, without thought or question an indoctrinated way of being.
If you’re nodding and thinking ‘what’s the problem?’, you’re probably amongst those who have contributed to New Zealand’s reputation of being less tolerant to failure than other countries.
Bringing insight from outside is Laura Reitel, formerly from @TechStars, Colorado who has recently been assisting ‘Lightening Lab’ and Creative HQ in Wellington. “If an entrepreneur fails in the United States - it’s no big deal because they typically hang out in established Eco-systems with enough support to help them get up again.” Laura thinks one our key differences in New Zealand is that success is more about the individual but as our ecosystems evolve, failure will become more normalised here.
‘Look After Me’ New Zealand's Homestay Network, specialising in Home-hosted accommodation celebrates its second year in business. Attending the birthday celebrations were Homestay accommodation providers from Rotorua, Taupo, Paeroa, New Plymouth and Tauranga. Also in attendance were Mayoral Candidate Steve Chadwick, Work Placement Recruits, suppliers and business associates.
Look After Me is New Zealand's largest and fastes growing Homestay Network, with home-hosted properties nationwide.
This photo was published in the Business Edition of Rotorua's Daily Post, 25 July 2013.
As a nation, we are aging, becoming increasingly affluent and technologically aware. How then, are these factors fundamentally changing expectations from travellers demanding experiences that are more enriching, meaningful and memorable? 
Taranaki Arts Festival Trust marketing and communications manager Lisa McMullan said it was a fantastic way to warm up for Womad which runs from tomorrow until Sunday. Womad has sold out in the past and we are doing everything we can to aim for that again."
Ms McMullan said a decent walk-up crowd was also expected and gate sales would be available if the 12,500 tickets did not sell out prior to the festival's opening tomorrow night.
Taranaki Motel Association president Fi Evans said as far as she knew, the region's accommodation was "chock-a-block" and had been for some time. Most accommodation providers had Womad regulars who booked a year in advance, she said. "You've got to be in quick.
"Sometimes we have to send people away to places as close as we can, which is often all the way to Whanganui, because there's nothing here," she said.
To help meet the demand, Kiwi business Look After Me is seeking New Plymouth homeowners with guest rooms or sleepouts to billet paying guests for the weekend.
January 2013: Rotorua filling up fast for Raggamuffin. Look After Me Homestay helps accommodation seekers. Story: Alison King
Helen Cunningham had no idea that her response to a tiny add in Rotorua’s Weekender would change her life. Enticed by the ‘Knock Knock, Who’s there?’ headline, the job advert was an ‘opportunity’ to work for free, in exchange for work experience. 
“I had nothing to lose really,” recalls Helen – an effervescent 22 year old Rotorua woman who has been out of regular paid employment for over three years. With a raft of circumstances that limited her ability to work full-time, Helen was keen and ready to work again but lacked the confidence and experience to apply for some of the local jobs on offer.
Click here to read the on-line version at Nevaeh Magazine which features on page 37 - 40 or click below to read the article on this website
As Dr Julia Charity blows out a single candle on her business’ birthday cake,there is a groundswell of pride. ‘One down, 49 to go,’ she jokes. There aren’t many who can boast a 50 year life plan but this Rotorua scientist-turned-entrepreneur, has taken a very futurist look at her life and speaks with clarity about the contributions she hopes to make to our community and beyond.
Nevaeh caught up with Julia just after she celebrated being in business one year, to find out how she is taking a simple on-line concept out through Rotorua to New Zealand and then potentially the world.
Click here to read the on-line version at Nevaeh Magazine or click below to read the article on this website
Work Experience Paying off for Rotorua Job Seekers. Daily Post, Story Katie Holland.
For many job seekers, getting all-important work experience on their CV can prove frustrating.
Knowing that, Rotorua web-based business Look After Me recently gave 12 people from all walks of life the opportunity to take part in a work placement programme - gaining new skills while helping develop the fledgling accommodation business and relaunch its website.
We haven’t got the money, so we have to think. Like this Albert Einstein quotation, scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Dr Julia Charity is taking creative thinking to a new level to bootstrap her business into viability. Rotorua-based Julia launched a nationwide homestay network in July last year. Her Virtual Hotel, a ‘first’ for New Zealand, offers guest rooms all over the country, each as different as the hosts who look after them.
Unlimited Magazine. Story Jenny Keown. With an ageing population in many of our main tourism markets, travellers in the older age groups will become even more significant in the future....
.....Performance poet, scientist and entrepreneur Julia Charity cottoned on to both these markets and launched a travel website, Look After Me, in July last year.
Look After Me helps rebuild Christchurch