Dear Friends,

Welcome to the very first edition of The Hart Beat — a newsletter created with heart, purpose, and the intention to inspire, inform, educate, and engage. Whether you are a guest at Vista Ballena Hotel, a participant at The Hart Center, or part of our growing global community, this space is for you.

This endeavor is deeply personal — not just a reflection of where we are today in beautiful Uvita, Costa Rica, but also of the journey that brought me here.
For 50 years, I was privileged to walk alongside my father, Richard Gordon, the visionary founder of IPD Volvo, based in Portland, Oregon. From its founding in 1963 through 2013, IPD wasn’t just a company — it was a community. Under his leadership, and later mine, we built more than car parts: we built a culture grounded in lifelong learning, meaningful values, and service to others.

One of the pillars of our company was our unwavering belief in continuous education — both personal and professional. We didn’t just talk about learning; we invested in it. From funding college courses to company-wide required reading programs, leadership workshops, and team development initiatives, we fostered a workplace where curiosity was encouraged and growth was expected.

Our core value was simple but powerful:
“We continue to learn, grow, change, and share.”
That value shaped everything — from how we showed up at work, to how we treated each other, our customers, and our wider community. Giving back was part of our DNA — with regular support of local and global charities, always remembering that good business starts with good people doing good work.

Now, here at Vista Ballena and The Hart Center, that same spirit lives on. This magical corner of the world offers a new canvas — a place to gather, reflect, and reconnect with purpose. Whether you are here for rest, transformation, or exploration, I believe we all have the power — and the responsibility
— to keep learning, growing, and giving.

The Hart Beat is our way of sharing stories, ideas, opportunities, and resources with you. Each issue will offer something to nourish the mind, uplift the spirit, and invite you into deeper community.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of this unfolding story. With heart,

Sue Hart
Founder, Vista Ballena Hotel, The Hart Center & The Hart Beat
Uvita, Costa Rica