Hal was born and reared on a ranch in Colorado.

With the government stopping its support of ranchers, the Taussig ranch hit hard times. To improve their situation, Hal and Norma bought an expensive bull, who turned out to be sterile — something that Hal and Norma laughed about in later years ! They went broke.

Hal taught at Spalding University and was fired during Vatican II for being too liberal. He always laughed about this, too!

Trying to launch a business based on his book, Shoestring Sabbatical (Westminster Press), Hal attracted tourists instead of sabbatical-takers. His new business, then called Idyll, Ltd. but now known to all as “Untours,” was born offering a rich, local, indigenous experience to travelers wanting more than bus tours of new lands. 

Hal’s first attempt to share the profits was through dividing them among his customers — or “Untourists” as they are lovingly called — and sending them each a check. Many thought Hal crazy, but everyone cashed their checks!

Tired of the profits burden, Hal tried selling Untours to the staff, but some with seniority blocked the sale not approving of Hal’s egalitarian approach to this deal.

Hal and Untours won $250,000 from Paul Newman and J.F.K., Jr. for being the “Most Generous Company in America.”

The Untours Foundation spearheaded the campaign to make their town of Media, PA, “America’s First Fair Trade Town.” Supported by Fair Trade Campaigns, we paved the way for over 44 towns and cities across the US.

Hal and Elizabeth go all in on socially responsible businesses, investing in projects that hit multiple metrics related to people, planet and profits, and funding business models that are replicable and scalable.

Elizabeth Blogs for the Huffington Post.