5 Travel Founders Who Are Giving Us Serious OOO FOMO on Instagram
Put that PTO to good use.
Photo: Spencer Davis from Pexels
Welcome to 5 for 5, where we spotlight 5 women in 5 minutes or less.
We don’t know about you, but we’re currently daydreaming about signing out of Slack, setting our OOO emails, and getting far, far away from our WFH desk situations. Ahead are five travel founders who are seriously fueling our OOO FOMO and inspiring us to submit a PTO request, stat.
1. Katalina Mayorga
As the co-founder of El Camino Travel, an off-the-beaten-path travel company, and Casa Violeta, a private villa located in Granada, Nicaragua, it’s no surprise that Katalina Mayorga’s feed is filled with beautiful beaches, colorful streets, and unreal sunsets.
2. Marta Tucci
Travel photographer, writer, and co-founder of Naya Traveler, a travel company specializing in tailor-made journeys to destinations spanning Spain, Morocco, Argentina, and more, Marta Tucci documents her travels to everywhere from Bahia to Bali and Kashmir.
3. Cheraé Robinson
Cheraé Robinson, the founder of Tastemaker Africa, a platform that connect travelers with a range of unique tours and experiences created and hosted by artists, creators, and makers, shares swoon-worthy snaps from Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cape Verde, and more.
4. Achiraya Thamparipattra
The co-founder of Hivesters, an award-winning travel social enterprise created to preserve and help Thai culture flourish, Achiraya Thamparipattra often posts photos from her adventures in Phuket, Ayutthaya, Phang Nga, and more destinations throughout Thailand.
5. Phaka Dludla Hlazo
As the founder of Zulu Nomad, Phaka Dludla Hlazo is providing curated experiences in East and Southern Africa. Her IG feed is an enviable travel bucket list, featuring photos from UNESCO World Heritage site Maloti-Drakensberg Park in South Africa, Stone Town of Zanzibar, and more.
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How to Show Jet Lag Who's Boss
And other first class travel tips from this CEO.
photo credit: El Camino Travel
I own an international travel company so naturally, I travel a lot for work. There are months where I spend more nights in hotel beds than my own. However, I am not one to complain. Traveling for work has afforded me great opportunities; I have met some incredible people in other countries and I have spent way too many boisterous nights dancing and sipping on national liquors all in the name of work. I have been able to keep up with a transcontinental schedule by creating a routine out of the chaos. I also called on some of my other globe trotting lady friends to get their input on how to stay balanced when traversing so many time zones.
ON JET LAG
This might be the worst aspect about travel. Jet lag can lead to fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and digestive upset. Basically, it sucks. My friend Kalsoom, who travels to Pakistan on a regular basis highly recommends taking natural melatonin supplements that help control your sleep. I always use the long plane rides and overnight flights as an opportunity to start to get my body adjusted to the time zone I will be landing in. Neck pillows, eye masks, large scarves that double as a blanket, and noise canceling head phones (per Kalsoom’s suggestion) make the process of avoiding jet lag much easier.
ON STAYING HEALTHY
Exercise and being active is of high importance to me and it is what helps manage my stress levels. Before I take off, I usually check to see if there is a gym near where I am staying and particularly, the classes they are offering. Classes are a great way to immerse yourself in the local community and culture. For example, I have taken champeta and zumba classes in Colombia, yoga in Mexico City, and signed up for beach boot camp on the shoreline of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janiero. Beyond that, I use running as a way to see the city or roam new neighborhoods. There is no better way to explore a city than by foot.
"Keep up with a transcontinental schedule by creating a routine out of the chaos."
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If time is tight and I have to do a quick HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout in my hotel room, I use apps like Nike Fit Club and ProDay. All will make you sweat and often no equipment is needed.
ON LIVING OUT OF A LUGGAGE
As soon as I arrive to my hotel, I unpack my luggage and organize everything. It takes a quick fifteen minutes, but allows me feel more settled in rather than on-the-go. Beyond that, I treat myself by bringing along some sort of luxury item so it feels special. For example, when I am home, my body wash is basic, but when I travel, I splurge on Malin Goetz Rum Body Wash. It might seem simple, but for whatever reason it works for me and gets me excited about my trips. It is all about the mental games you play with yourself when you are traveling so much.
On a practical level, I always take my time when preparing for my trip. Being rushed or anxious that I forgot to pack something important is not worth the stress for me. Rather, I block out a few hours in my calendar, use it as an excuse to catch up on podcasts and do it with calmness. I always try to pack a fun wardrobe where pieces can be mixed and matched and be used for all types of occasions. Jewelry (which, barely takes up any space) is an easy way to take an outfit from day to night as well as a bold lip color. Because I love exploring a location by foot, comfortable, but stylish shoes are the first items I pack. A similar pair to these or these, have worked really well for me.
ON MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS
I get asked about this a lot. My husband and I both travel a ton for work and this year has been particularly intense. We have had several occasions where I will be flying in and he will be flying out the next day. We are both at a point where we are hitting major strides with our careers, in our early thirties, and have both worked hard to get where we are. In short, travel is not slowing down for either of us. We are fully supportive of each other going big or going home for the next few years. That being said, our relationship is of high priority and we have seen (and felt) what happens when we are not proactive about maintaining it. One of the biggest challenges is communication and starting to feel disconnected. When he is sometimes sixteen hours ahead or I am not getting back to my hotel room until one in the morning, hopping on a call is difficult and sometimes the last thing either of us want to do. However, we make texting each other the best thing that happened to us every day a priority. That makes us feel like we know what is going on in each other’s lives and it keeps our work travel positive.
"We make texting each other the best thing that happened to us every day a priority."
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Maintaining relationships with friends and family can also be difficult when you are on the road. My friend Corey -- who has lived in Nairobi, Kenya for the past few years and is often traveling to very remote and rural areas of the country-- uses technology and social media to her advantage. Although she has tried to keep a blog, send long email updates to friends, or schedule the habitual Sunday night Skype call with her parents, she has found that social media makes it easier (and faster) to maintain relationships while abroad. Whether posting an Instagram picture of your travels, sending a Snap Chat of your commute to work, or even playing a quick round of Words with Friends, you can use the breadth and ease of technology to stay connected to those you care about. While no substitute for in-person catch-ups, these short, virtual "touches" help maintain the foundation for long-term, quality relationships. And that's #nofilter.
Sticking to the above allows for work travel to continue to feel fun and exciting instead of starting to have it feel burdensome.
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Katalina Mayorga is the CEO and founder of El Camino Travel. El Camino was featured in AFAR in their 2015 Vanguard Issue under, "Surprise Is the New Luxury" category, as well as Mashable, the Guardian, Marie Claire and Forbes for their innovative approach to travel. El Camino works closely with local tastemakers to curate off-beat experiences for small groups of people to unique locations. The trips all come with a creative photographer in tow, so that their travelers can thoroughly enjoy their experiences while ensuring that their memories are captured and that they will have great social media content. In addition, a percentage of profits are donated to a local social entrepreneur working to better his or her country.
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How to Create a Killer Gut Instinct for Business
Step 1: travel. Step 2: get lost.
Image credit: Curated Cool
As someone who’s traveled her entire life, traversing at different speeds has given me the tools needed to graduate from each lesson along the way. Whether short trips or long ones, living in various countries for years at a time, or backing the world for nine months straight, travel is impactful. Beyond that, it is tough, life-changing and eye-opening.
It's also has taught me most of the skills I apply in business today.
Here are my top six:
BE CULTURALLY SAVVY
We have a global economy. Which means jobs are no longer relegated to one city. Many offices operate in multiple countries, and being able to understand co-workers culture or learn the methodology of how and why someone works the way they do, can give you currency. You’ll have more in common and will be a relatable employee, making your added two cents go that much further.
TAKE RISKS
I learned this one the hard way: by actually doing it. On a bus trip in Vietnam, I needed to go to the toilet and the bus stopped in a tiny place that wasn’t even on the map. With seconds to decide, I looked at my friend and said, “What do we have to lose? Let's just do it.” It ended up being one of many jump, and the net will appear moments. Companies look for people who aren’t afraid of the unknown, as they seek out the curious. Know that even if you fail, the good ones fail forward.
"Know that even if you fail, the good ones fail forward."
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Without risk, there is no reward.
WORK OUT YOUR GUT INSTINCT
A favorite muscle of mine that is often overlooked is the inner gut. It needs to be worked out and strengthened, just like anything else. When you're traveling problem solving is part of the itinerary and you become accountable for your actions and make choices on-the-go.
When we aren’t surrounded by people to make choices for us we develop a killer gut instinct that can prove very beneficial to your career. Employers encourage workers to form opinions, make snap but important choices, go with their gut, and many times will put you in a position where you are the final decision-maker. What’s your gut telling you to do?
PROBLEM SOLVE LIKE A PRO
Nothing says time to problem solve like the wrong direction, out of gas, missed a flight, forgot my stop and no English. The above has happened to me in so many ways, and then some! I figured it out, survived, and you will too.
Companies love to see how a worker handles problems that get thrown their way.
EXPERIENCE GRATITUDE
Sure, it's nice to think we can make it on our own, but the reality? Yeah, we all need people. I’ve never been in a country where I didn’t need help, sought out advice, or listened to a local. People have been so kind and gracious towards me on journeys, it's only right to pay it forward.
By asking your co-workers or friends in business how you can help them in their life, or perhaps help with a problem that needs solving, you're showcasing your uniqueness, your willingness to help, and the art of contributing in a selfless way. Trust me, it’s a thing.
DEVELOP CONFIDENCE
You don’t need months of travel to obtain it, but by making tough choices, taking risks, and jumping every hurdle that comes your way (sometimes gracefully, sometimes not) you’ll get there. Spending months in countries where you don’t speak or read the language will help you develop an internal confidence that is irreplaceable.
Cream rises to the top, and a smart boss will recognize this. Own your confidence and wear it proud.
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Melinda Fleming is the founder of Curated Cool. She been blessed by the Dalai Lama, trekked the Himalayas, and shopped the flea markets of London . She is always seeking what’s unique & chic regardless of the city or town she's in.