As a child growing up in Norway, Jan-Tore Oevrevik learned the true meaning of resilience and hard work from an early age. His family, who lived in deep connection with nature taught him meaningful life lessons that developed his character as well as potential future achievements. During his childhood Jan-Tore dedicated himself to exploring the woods, mountains, and spending time by the water, which allowed him to grasp natural rhythms and develop skillsets of ocean life. The crisp air, the hard work, and the lifelong lessons were all essential pieces that developed his determination, discipline, and sense of responsibility.
Through his everyday work during his early years he understood that difficult tasks transform into character development opportunities. His childhood in Norway, shaped by nature’s seasonal patterns and family traditions, planted the seeds for his passion for making a difference. Little did he know that the lessons of perseverance from his young days would lead him to not only shape his future but also create a positive impact on the world.
Fast forward a few decades, and Jan-Tore now leads multiple successful ventures. His companies are built around his passion for technology, sustainability, and a deep respect for the environment. His entrepreneurial evolution demonstrates his relentless spirit and insatiable curiosity about possibilities through his work in developing modern web platforms and managing East African sustainable tree planting activities. But it’s not just the business successes that have defined his career, it’s his belief that innovation holds the key to addressing the world’s biggest challenges.
Yet it wasn’t all about business for Jan-Tore. In 2013, after moving to Florida, he discovered a newfound passion for photography that would ignite his creative side in ways he never expected. His growing interest led him as a Founder & Lead Visual Storyteller at JTO Photography, a platform that showcases the world’s beauty through his eyes. Whether capturing untamed landscapes or the dance of light and shadows in urban environments, his photographs have the unique ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. Through his lens, every moment becomes a story.
Let’s delve into the story of a man who found beauty not just in the world around him but in the very process of shaping it!
Childhood in Norway
Jan-Tore’s childhood in Norway was far from conventional, but it laid the foundation for everything that came after. His family was deeply connected to both agriculture and fishing, and from an early age, Jan-Tore found himself involved in these activities. “The lessons I learned in those early years were invaluable,” he recalls. “From gathering wild berries with my mother to fishing from a small boat with my father, I quickly understood that nothing worthwhile comes without effort.”
His parents were strong figures in his life, emphasizing not only hard work but also resilience. He remembers long days spent in the cold waters, learning how to fish and understanding the delicate balance of nature. “I wasn’t just taught how to fish or gather food. I was taught to respect nature, to appreciate the simple things, and to push through challenges,” he shares.
This connection to the land and water created a profound sense of discipline in him. The work was tough, and the rewards weren’t always immediate, but the lessons learned were lifelong. Even though Jan-Tore couldn’t have known it at the time, those early experiences would become central to his career and his personal values. “Those days taught me the importance of sticking to a task, of doing what you can even when it’s difficult. Hard work builds your character in ways you don’t always notice, but the impact lasts forever.”
Education and Early Career
As he grew older, his curiosity expanded beyond the natural world. Determined to build on his skills, he attended the Norwegian Business School in Oslo, where he honed his business knowledge. While many might have expected him to follow a traditional path, his thirst for learning led him to explore subjects such as mathematics, logic, web development, and programming. “I’ve always been someone who thrives on knowledge. Every new thing I learned sparked a new desire to learn more,” he reflects.
Jan-Tore didn’t limit his education to just formal studies. Outside of the classroom, he became passionate about teaching others. “I spent a lot of time teaching adults—whether it was web design, databases, or programming. I found a deep sense of fulfillment in helping people gain skills that could improve their lives,” he says.
This early involvement in teaching would later inspire some of the innovative ways he approached entrepreneurship. By making education and personal growth central to his business ventures, Jan-Tore laid the groundwork for the future of impactful, socially-conscious projects. “It was never just about making money. It was always about how I could contribute to the world around me.”
Entrepreneurship Begins
In 2000, Jan-Tore co-founded Omsorgsnett, a social enterprise that aimed to improve the welfare system for children in Norway. The platform allowed institutions and caregivers to share critical information and ensure that children in need receive proper care. “Omsorgsnett was my first big entrepreneurial project, and it was born out of a real need to improve how the welfare system functioned,” he says.
Omsorgsnett had a tangible, lasting impact. By connecting different institutions, it streamlined communication, making it easier to place children in the right homes and ensure their needs are met. “We managed to help thousands of children,” Jan-Tore reflects. “That was incredibly meaningful, and it showed me the power of technology to change lives.”
This was the start of his entrepreneurial career, and the lessons learned from Omsorgsnett would continue to shape his ventures. He discovered that business could be a tool for social change, and he made it his mission to combine innovation with positive social impact.
A Passion for Sustainability
Jan-Tore’s passion for social impact didn’t stop with Omsorgsnett. In 2006, he co-founded Better Globe, a company focused on fighting deforestation and promoting sustainable development through tree planting initiatives in East Africa. The goal was not just environmental conservation but also creating jobs and empowering local communities.
“There’s a huge gap in the world when it comes to addressing environmental issues while also promoting economic growth in underserved communities,” he explains. “Better Globe was born from the idea that businesses could make a real difference in both areas.”
Better Globe’s work focused on planting trees to combat deforestation, while also providing a source of income to local farmers and communities. By empowering individuals to take part in environmental preservation, Jan-Tore saw firsthand how sustainability could go hand-in-hand with social progress. “What we were doing was creating jobs, supporting families, and fighting climate change at the same time,” he says proudly.
The success of Better Globe reinforced his belief in the power of business to bring about meaningful change. For him, the business was more than just a financial endeavor; it was about creating long-term solutions that could lift communities out of poverty while addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
In 2015, Jan-Tore took another step toward addressing global environmental issues with the launch of Trees4Cars, an initiative designed to link the automotive industry with environmental preservation. The venture used car sales as a way to fund tree planting projects and offset carbon emissions. While the venture faced some challenges in its implementation, it stood as another bold attempt to innovate and bring about environmental change on a larger scale. Later, this initiative evolved into Trees4CO2, which continued the mission to fund tree planting projects and offset carbon emissions, but with a different approach that moved beyond the automotive industry.
A New Beginning in Florida
In 2013, Jan-Tore moved to Florida, a decision that would spark a new chapter in his life. The vibrant natural beauty of the area, with its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, reignited his passion for photography. “Photography had always been a hobby of mine, but moving to Florida really opened my eyes to how much beauty there was around me,” he recalls.
This newfound passion led to the creation of JTO Photography—a platform dedicated to capturing the world’s beauty through Jan-Tore’s lens. His stunning depictions of natural landscapes, wildlife, and urban environments soon began to capture the attention of viewers across the globe. “I wanted to showcase the world as I see it—the beauty, the contrasts, and the delicate balance between nature and civilization,” he shares.
Jan-Tore’s journey into photography was further inspired and enriched by his marriage to Ambreen, who shares his love for exploring the world and appreciating its beauty. Together, they have traveled extensively, often finding inspiration in the quiet moments they share in nature, which fuels both his photography and their life together.
Through JTO Photography, Jan-Tore captures not just images, but stories. His work, often playing with the interplay of light and shadow, invites viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty that is often overlooked in daily life. “For me, photography is about noticing the small details—the little things that make our world so beautiful,” he explains. His images resonate deeply, reminding viewers of the hidden wonder in the ordinary.
Navigating Challenges
Like many, Jan-Tore’s journey wasn’t without its setbacks. The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges that delayed his projects and photography trips, but it also gave him time to reflect on and grow his businesses in new ways. “It was a tough time, but it allowed me to pivot. I used that time to focus on my photography business, improve my website, and build an online presence,” he says.
Through workshops and online tutorials, he adapted and found new ways to connect with people and share his knowledge. “While the pandemic stopped a lot of physical travel, it opened up new possibilities for virtual growth,” he explained.
Guiding the Next Generation
As an entrepreneur, Jan-Tore learned a lot about leadership. His philosophy centers around empowering others and leading by example. “A great leader doesn’t just give orders, they inspire others to be their best,” he says.
For Jan-Tore, leadership is about fostering a collaborative environment, where everyone is motivated by the mission and supported in their roles. “Respect is a key part of leadership,” he shares. “When you respect your team, they will respect you and the mission you are working toward.”
His advice to the next generation of entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Dream big, take risks, and stay humble. Success is a journey, and the lessons you learn along the way are just as valuable as the destination.”
A Legacy of Impact
As Jan-Tore reflects on his life’s work, he’s proud of what he’s accomplished, but he’s not done yet. He continues to push boundaries, explore new opportunities, and tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. “I’m always thinking about the next project, the next venture, the next way I can make a difference,” he says.
For Jan-Tore, his work has always been about more than business successes about creating a legacy that will inspire others to pursue their own passions and use their talents to make a positive impact in the world.
