Episode 249 - Rachel Vigil, UpClose Marketing
In this episode of Soul of Travel, Season 6: Women's Wisdom + Mindful Travel, presented by @journeywoman_original, Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Rachel Vigil.
Rachel Vigil is the CEO and Founder of UpClose Marketing, a company that connects brands with vacation rental operators across the U.S. By providing free products for vacation stays, UpClose Marketing creates unique trial opportunities that introduce guests to new products in an authentic and memorable way. In addition to leading her company, Rachel also self-manages two of her own short-term rentals, giving her firsthand insight into the industry she serves.
Originally from Oregon and now calling Southern California home, Rachel brings a grounded yet adventurous spirit to both her work and her life. As a proud mother of two, she balances entrepreneurship with family life, showing that ambition and heart can go hand in hand. Her passion for travel fuels her curiosity and creativity, giving her fresh perspectives to bring into every project she takes on.
Whether she’s growing partnerships through UpClose Marketing, managing her own properties, exploring new corners of the world, or spending quality time with her kids, Rachel leads with connection, purpose, and a drive to make a meaningful difference.
Rachel and Christine’s friendship was kindled by a shared commitment to women’s empowerment through travel and fair trade, beginning with a simple bracelet (be sure to listen for the full meet-cute!). For both Rachel and Christine, travel became a vehicle for connection—not just with each other but with women everywhere. Rachel shares that their work took them to Bali, Guatemala, and Ecuador, where they saw firsthand how women, “support themselves and really get to see their environment of how they live and how just such a small amount of money goes a long way.”
Fair Trade and Women-Led Initiatives
Experiencing fair trade in action transformed Rachel’s approach to travel and business; Rachel (and Christine!) worked with a fair trade jewelry company called Threads Worldwide, which connects fair trade artisans with larger global markets. She recounts helping women artisans sell jewelry: “What we do in that situation is we’re seeing where the jewelry’s made by the women Fair Trade Artisans, and then we would come back to the United States and we’d sell it to our friends and our family and events, and then the proceeds would go back to those women.” Witnessing this process, she says, put a face to every handcrafted item, and gave meaning to the work: “To see that and visualize it, and put a face and a woman behind it was pretty incredible. I mean, you can’t beat that experience.” The act of purchasing and advocating for fair trade products honors the story the artisans want to tell – to lead in a cycle that uplifts entire communities, fosters agency, and connects people deeply across cultures.
Rachel and Christine visiting a Fair Trade Artisan and her family in Bali
Bridging Business and Travel to Amplify Voices and Create Equitable Opportunities for Women
Rachel’s career waves business, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven work through the vehicle of travel. Her company, Up Close Marketing, puts products directly into the hands of guests who are traveling, with a focus on fair trade, women-owned, and values-aligned brands. As she explains, “I love to support the fair trade. The women owned, just the startups as well as the big ones… but I do like the variety. They are dipping into their marketing budget because when you think about it, they can be sponsoring an event… and you’re dealing with thousands and thousands of people… You’re just giving away samples, but you have no idea what’s happening. This is kind of shifting that, putting it in a vacation rental property.”
The business model is straightforward: brands pay to have their products—ranging from essentials like laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and coffee to innovative lifestyle goods—delivered to vacation rental hosts around the United States. These products are then showcased in the rentals for guests to try during their stay, often accompanied by thoughtful messaging or sample kits designed to fit the spirit of vacation mode and local experiences. The guest can enjoy the product with no expectation or sales pressure, and sometimes there’s a call to action such as a survey or discount code, but the aim is genuine.
There’s also a strong sensory component—guests might be greeted with a new mattress, local coffee, or healthy snacks upon arrival, making the experience more memorable and comfortable. For brands, this approach allows them to reach consumers in a relaxed, receptive environment where guests are more likely to try something new and form a lasting, positive association. It provides deeper engagement than typical trade show or influencer marketing because guests actually experience the product in use, not just hear about it or receive it as swag.
Fostering Cultural Understanding Through Home Exchanges, Learning Language Basics, and Authentic Experiences
Rachel’s philosophy around meaningful travel centers on immersion and open-hearted curiosity. Travel, for her, is about adaptation and learning—not perfection. “My parents took me all over the world. Biggest impact was Australia… They ingrained that in me, which I think just helps you grow as a person to be adaptable and flexible and you just know things aren’t going to be perfect,” she says.
A highlight for Rachel (and one she recommends for others seeking authentic cultural exchanges) is home exchanging, where families can experience a home, a neighborhood, cultural practices, learning about others and how they live. She describes a recent stay in Germany where the family provided local tips and even offered their traditional clothing for Oktoberfest, creating a sense of true belonging that has stuck with Rachel and her family.
Language learning is another pillar of respect. Rachel describes encouraging her children to learn the basics before traveling: “Learn some German, get onto Duolingo. Let’s learn some basics, study.” Christine echoes this, sharing her family’s rule: “You have to learn how to say hello, thank you, goodbye, please… so that they can have a basic level of respect is what I’m trying to instill in them. And then also confidence, the basic level of confidence.”
Rachel rejects the notion of travel as an excuse to recreate “the American Experience International.” Rachel seeks discomfort and difference with intention. “Nothing irks me more than traveling with someone that thinks they’re gonna have the American Experience International,” she shares; “It’s like, why would you have that expectation? Get out of it, be uncomfortable.” Practicing feeling like the outsider becomes a point of empathy and understanding she wants to model for her children.
Throughout their conversation, respect and generosity emerge as cornerstones of mindful travel. Christine describes the importance of not only experiencing local cultures, but doing so with integrity, connection, and relationship-building.
Rachel’s own acts of kindness ripple outward—her family leaves behind clothes, medicine, and supplies for local families at the end of their trip, and have maintained friendships across continents long after returning home. Rachel says, “We just left them with a bunch of the families…even the medicine, like in Guatemala, we took it to a hospital…why travel back home with it? We don’t need it.”
But both women are also mindful of the complexities—recognizing the need to avoid disrupting local dynamics or approaching generosity from a place of saviorism. True connection, they agree, is built on reciprocity, learning, and shared experiences.
Special thanks to our episode sponsor, Casey Hanisko! Through business coaching and consulting, Casey collaborates with women+ and purpose-driven leaders in adventure, outdoor and non-profit industries helping them become great leaders and to build great businesses. Work with Casey by reaching out through her website at caseyhanisko.com – or email her at hello@caseyhanisko.com.
“But my favorite thing to do is home exchange – taking ourselves out of the resorts, the tourist communities. We’re swapping homes, so I’m learning about another family and how they live. You can’t get more immersed than that.”
Soul of Travel Episode 249 At a Glance
In This Episode, Christine and Rachel discuss:
The power of travel to connect women across cultures
How supporting fair trade and women-led initiatives can uplift whole communities
Bridging business and travel to amplify voices and create equitable opportunities for women
Fostering cultural understanding and mindful travel through home exchanges, learning language basics, and authentic experiences
The importance of bringing respect, curiosity, and generosity into travel
Love these soulful conversations and want to expand our reach? Support Soul of Travel on Buy Me a Coffee, subscribe here to Apple Podcasts, and rate and review your favorite episodes.
To discuss advertising or sponsoring an episode, reach out to Christine at souloftravelpodcast@gmail.com.
Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode
Visit Up Close Marketing to learn more!
Connect with Rachel on your favorite social media network: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn.
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal #5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Sustainable Development Goal #8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Sustainable Development Goal #9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Sustainable Development Goal #10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
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Soul of Travel honors the passion and dedication of people making a positive impact in the tourism industry. In each episode, you’ll hear the stories of women who are industry professionals, seasoned travelers, and community leaders. Our expert guests represent social impact organizations, adventure-based community organizations, travel photography and videography, and entrepreneurs who know that travel is an opportunity for personal awareness and a vehicle for global change.
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Soul of Travel Episode 249 Transcript
Key Words: women’s travel, transformational travel, sustainable travel, social entrepreneurship
SOT 249 Rachel Vigil
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Christine: Okay, welcome to Soul of Travel podcast. I am your host, Christine, and today I have a fun episode because I have a friend turned colleague instead of colleague turned friend that's joining me for this conversation. So, um, I'm excited to see, uh, where this goes because we've spent a lot of time together and who knows what could come up.
Um, but I am happy to enjoy, or I'm happy to invite Rachel V. Hill who is the CEO and founder of Up Close Marketing to the podcast. So welcome, Rachel.
Rachel: Thanks for having me. It might sound like it's just two friends chatting because Yeah. I've known you for a little while.
Christine: Yeah, for sure. And not only that, like a lot of the things that we have fun doing [00:03:00] is brainstorming about business because we really met. Through business, business ish, which I was actually, I was thinking about this as I was preparing for our conversation of our, what I call our meet cute, or what kids call meet cutes, or they used to call, and now it's probably lame to say.
Um, but we met, like, I feel like. Daughter was either just born or not yet born. So about 10 years ago. And we were at a mom, I think it was a mom's group. Um, and I was trying to meet people in Temecula 'cause I had just moved to Southern California. And, um, I hate trying to meet new people. Um, I'm totally not a social person, even though I do this podcast.
I prefer to be hiding. Uh, which is probably why podcasting works for me. But anyway, I saw you and I was like, oh, she kind of has a cool vibe. And then I saw a bracelet that [00:04:00] you had on that was made out of these paper beads, or I thought it was, so I approached you and was asking you about them. I had been in Uganda and met with this group of female artisans that were making these really cool paper bead.
Jewelry and I met with this woman that was trying to help them kind of grow that through from an entrepreneurship perspective. And that was way back early in my career, like 20 some years ago when I had this experience. And so then I saw this and I, I geeked out asking you all about this bracelet. Um, which then, you know, you went on to confirm actually was this.
And um, was an organization you were working for at the time called Threads Worldwide, which I then proceeded to join pretty much the next day, I think, um, helping to sell fair trade jewelry and support women all over the world. And um, that definitely was like what forged our friendship and our connection right away.
Rachel: Yeah, it's a good thing. I wore that [00:05:00] bracelet that day.
Christine: Yeah. Yeah. I definitely wouldn't have talked to you because I hate talking to people so.
Rachel: I clearly remember that day. Uh, I, as I get older, I don't remember a lot of things, but I remember that day we, yeah, may have been sipping on a glass of wine and I Yeah. Completely remember that conversation. So
Christine: it, it was great because it led to a lot of adventures and really for me, a lot of, um, you know, it's just one of those very clear stepping stones in my path of looking at how business and travel could support women and support gender equity and how we could elevate and amplify voices of women. Um, so it's fun.
This is like a great full circle moment for us here. Um, I know that you just celebrated your one year anniversary of your company, so
Rachel: it did.
Christine: on that. Um, as we get started, how about I just turn it over to you to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit more about up close [00:06:00] marketing.
Rachel: Yeah, so let's see. My name is Rachel and I have been kind of in the marketing world for, gosh, 20 years now. I feel so old, but yeah, about 20 years. And then everything kind of links back to travel somehow. I studied business administration, but my minor was tourism and I actually studied that over in Sydney, Australia.
Um, so that's really where my passion lies. Um, I've got two kids married to a fire, firefighter husband, um, live in Southern California, and I have been. Kind of dabbling in this, this world to still find my place. I mean, it's so funny that here I am in my late forties and I still like, I'm still trying to figure it out and see what gets me excited every day.
And I, I feel like I finally found that moment where I'm happy. I love my job, I love doing what I'm doing. Um. [00:07:00] What you had mentioned with Threads Worldwide, that was so amazing because we had this moment where we were helping women around the world and it took us to travel. So you and I went to Bali together.
Uh, it was incredible and it just had so much meaning and purpose behind helping these women. It also took me to Guatemala and Ecuador, and so loved that. Um, did that for years and it was such a nice transition because it was in my raising kids baby period time. So I was able to kind of work on the side, but spend a lot of time with kids.
Um, and it's kind of funny, I've never actually had a job working in an office. I've always worked from home or kind of out on the go. Um, so once my kids kind of started getting outta the house and we're going to school, uh, we went into the vacation rental world. So Airbnb, that, that side of things. So we bought a place in Big Bear, California, and it's been [00:08:00] about eight years that we've been managing that, running that as a vacation rental.
And then about, what's it been now, three years, we bought a condo in KeHE Maui. And so that kind of shifted and became. Our world of vacation management, understanding that. And through that process, I came across a company and it was called Free Products for Hosts at the time. Uh, and they were giving away stuff like mattresses and coffee and all these really cool things as a marketing play, which I fell in love instantly because it brought in travel and amenities and free stuff for a host and for the guest.
So I reached out, uh, to the CEO and just told him that he had to hire me. I mean, there was no doubt in my mind like I had to work for this company. Um, after a lot of back and forth, he did bring me on. So that was. About six years ago. So I worked with them for five years and then [00:09:00] last year he shifted and went into the design and furnish and helping hosts just get set up for the first time.
And so I took that side of the business under my own company, up close marketing. So that's kind of how that all TRA transitioned. And it's truly that I work with brands and they want to get their products out in a unique way. And so vacation rentals are a great place because people are relaxed, they're on vacation mode, they wanna try new things.
And so we kinda hit them in that confined environment. And brands love it because it's so unique and host and guests love it because it's some really unique products that you probably would never try or purchase. And now you've opened your mind to it and created this relationship with this brand, um, which is a positive one.
So that's a quick rundown.
Christine: Yeah. Um, I love that. 'cause now come like, thinking back, I remember when you heard about that company and you're like, yeah, I'm gonna reach out to them 'cause I really wanna work for them, which is one of those things that [00:10:00] I admire about you because when, like when something, when you think something's a good idea, you're like so all in and so passionate and inspired by it.
So I, I feel like that call that they must have received, they would've been crazy to say like, no, we're not really interested. They're lucky that they, they um, they said yes 'cause you are like. Whenever I'm stuck and I'm like, I know there's like, I have these four things and I don't know how they go together, or I'm trying to get creative in thinking about how to tell the story.
You're so good at just like, okay, here's five ways I see this working. And I'm like, oh, thank goodness. Like I'm so grateful for people like you that just are able to like shift those things around and, and find the ways things work best. And I love what you're doing because I don't, I mean, I don't think anybody else is really doing this.
It's such a great idea. Unlike you [00:11:00] said like as a short term, in a short term rental property. Um, like as a guest, someone who uses that a lot when you show up and the host has left like a local coffee or this product that I don't know about or maybe I've seen and I've thought about trying but just didn't get around to purchasing.
Um, it's so cool to get this little. Experience within your experience. And then for me, and we'll talk about this later too, if it happens to be like, values aligned and it's fair trade or sustainable or locally sourced, like that adds a lot of value to my experience. And it makes me feel like the guest take, the host took a moment to think of me like as a person and not just the, like Tuesday through Saturday guest at their property that they have to clean up after.
And you know, I, I, I think it really is a small gesture that personalizes the experience. So I think it's, I like, I love the idea [00:12:00] I might be calling you, right? And being like, Hey, I, I need to get in on this. Um.
Rachel: Yeah, buy a vacation rental. Let's go.
Christine: Um, but okay, so let's just start a little bit at the beginning here for our listeners so they can have a better understanding. How does this work? Because it's one of those things that maybe sounds too good to be true. Like if you're listening and you happen to have a property that you, um, put out into the world as a short-term rental and someone's gonna give you free products, we're thinking there's a catch.
And if you're a consumer, you're also thinking, wait, what's in, what's the, what's the loophole? So how does this work?
Rachel: Yeah. And that is my hardest barrier because if I go out and I'm on social media and I'm saying, Hey, we have all this free staff. Nobody believes me. They think it's such a scam. And so it's so difficult because. In today's world, nobody believes that. You just get handouts that it's free. It's yeah, too good to be true.
So I actually utilize my network [00:13:00] a lot and have other hosts talk about me. 'cause it's that the best way to get out there and podcasts. So you can understand why, because I am open book. The way it works is brands pay, it comes from their marketing budget. And um, some of these are emerging brands, which I love.
I love to support the fair trade. The women owned, just the startups as well as the big ones, the p and g, Unilever Craft, I mean. So it's a, a big spread that I have. Um, but I do like the, the variety, but they are dipping into their marketing budget because when you think about it, they can be sponsoring an event.
And I love using Coachella as the example. Everyone knows Coachella. Super expensive to sponsor that event. And you're dealing with thousands and thousands of people, which means so many stamp samples. You're staffing the event, you're putting up this huge booth, and you're just giving away samples, but you have no idea what's happening.
Do they try? Do they like it? Um, what are we getting an ROI from that? [00:14:00] So this is kind of shifting that, taking that budget, but putting it in a vacation rental property. As well as we're expanding into campgrounds and RV rentals. And I love like the unique stays, glamping and domes and tree houses and houseboats.
So pretty much any place on vacation or even like a midterm or corporate stay. So those traveling nurses when they're staying somewhere for three months or um, an executive who needs to go move to LA and be there for a couple months. So it's both of those environments. And so because the brand is paying this, they cover the product, um, they pay for, you know, there's a fee to up close as, and then all the shipping costs.
So that's covered. And then it's the house that becomes really that, um, representative for the brand because what you're doing is setting up a display. So what we do is we send about a three month supply and every booking, you'll put it out with some marketing. [00:15:00] So there's a little marketing sign. Um, we're not.
Wanting you to become that NASCAR of Airbnbs where you walk in, it's like, whoa, I'm getting marketed to. That's not our intent. It's more here's some product communicating with the guest of try it, explore it, enjoy it with one Call to action, which isn't just buy me, it's complete a survey. Let us know what you thought.
Um, and then maybe it ends with like a discount code code because yeah, ideally the brand wants you to buy it, but it's more, let's not push them into sales. It's just that brand awareness and trying it. Um, some of my favorite. Products are like mattresses and sheets. When you think about vacation, you want a good night's sleep.
You want to just really be in vacation mode. And if you happen to be in the market for a new mattress, there's so many selections. There are thousands of dollars, so expensive, but if you're sleeping on one and you had a [00:16:00] great night's sleep, that's an opportunity for a mattress brand to really have that exposure because how many times can you actually sleep on a mattress other than maybe a hotel where you get to try it before you buy it?
Um, so that's some, some of it. And then I'll show you an example. Like also we've done sleep gummies, so, well, this is a, a powder packet, but a lot of just samples that you're gonna put out for your guests and as they explore your property, they're gonna come across something and say, this is so nice. And it's that surprise and delight mentality.
Um, and I know we've all been there. We've walked into a vacation rental where you've probably spent a decent amount of money and you're lucky to get a bottle of water. Like nothing is so just saddening. Then you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're tired, and they've left you. Maybe a coffee pod, maybe not.
Um, like we're trying to shift that. We want it to be just the best day with your amenities included, because it really is becoming [00:17:00] that. Um, as a house you have to stand out. It's competitive. We're competing against hotels and other vacation rental operator operators. So, um, I'm just trying to help get people to stand out and make that guest experience the most elevated as possible, but at no cost to you.
Christine: Yeah. And then for the brands, I mean this, like you were saying. As far as like getting products in the hands of consumers, it's just such a different experience. Like, you know, we all go to trade shows or festivals or things like that, and you get a bag and people are passing stuff to you and you're like, okay, great.
Shoving everything in the bag. And sometimes like, I have found those bags months later and you're like, oh, well I probably would've tried this. I mean, sometimes years later, which is shameful. So
Rachel: it.
Christine: in my office. Yeah. But what, you know, what is, how is that really different? Or, you know, how does that set this opportunity apart for brands [00:18:00] that are doing this?
Like, like you were saying, there's kind of a different energy around how customers are experiencing a product in this environment.
Rachel: Yeah, when you go to events, you go to trade shows, it's kind of take, take, take, take as much as you can. It's like trick or treating for an adult. It's so great you're getting all this stuff, but it all gets cluttered. It all gets put in a bag and it's overwhelming. What happens when you're now in an enclosed space is there's one product in that category.
Like we don't put competing products. So now you've just seen one, one product. It's not overwhelming. Um, even if you were to go like to a trade show or like Coachella as an attendee, you're coming back to your property and you're gonna have a much better interaction with this one product sitting on the counter than your bag of all these other things.
So it's that quality interaction is what we're looking at. Um, and. It's really the trial [00:19:00] because also the, the movement has been in marketing is a lot of influencers. We know TikTok, um, everyone's out there showing the videos and trying it, and you get sold on it, but it's still very expensive. All those ads you're putting on social media with influencers, so costly versus let's just send some product and actually get those consumers to try it, because that's what's missing.
When we are on social media, we're missing that hands on, you know, they call it like cans and hand or Yeah, cans in hands and just getting people to try it, which is the hardest, hardest part.
Christine: Yeah. Um, when you kind of talked about some of the, the products that you love, and I know just from hearing when you were getting to see some experiences or some products recently, like when you find stuff that's really, um, values. Aligned and lifestyle aligned. Those are the ones that seem to do really well, like healthy products, [00:20:00] eco-friendly products.
Um, we're both being drawn to those, but why do you think maybe those products resonate with travelers? Maybe it's a mindset thing, like we're all, we're, we're all changing our lives while we're traveling, so if we want the healthier things, I don't know.
Rachel: Yeah, there's two sides of it. As a host, you have to be very careful about the products you're putting in your property because of liability. I mean, this comes to, like, I used to leave, um, boogie boards in my place in Maui, and that's too much of a liability. If someone were to get hurt, then I provided the device that got them hurt.
So everything from the host side, you have to think about and be super careful. So when it comes to amenities, like that's one thing. It's essential items that we're already providing, which is laundry detergent, dish soap, um, it's shampoo, conditioner, all of those. So there's the, the cheaper versions that you're going that you can go buy at [00:21:00] Costco, but it's not as much eco-friendly or.
Um, the, the healthy side, the natural ingredients. So there's a lot of hosts making that shift, especially with laundry detergent because nothing worse than having a guest say, saying, I slept in your bed and I have a rash, because you probably use some sort of laundry detergent that I'm allergic to. So we do have that shift of a lot of hosts going more of natural eco-friendly.
The other side is local. I mean, when you're traveling you really wanna be immersed and see what's local. That's a little bit harder for us because we do have about 11,000 listings nationwide. So it's hard to be very centered on a region, but we can do it. And so I do love that opportunity when there are certain, like local mom and pop stores and they just wanna grow, but maybe give a taste of something like a coffee shop.
Let's take coffee shop of, okay, yeah, we're very local. Here's a little bit, um, of [00:22:00] ground coffee to get you started, but then lead them to your store. So I think that's fun because now you've incorporated a sample with an experience to drive them to come learn more. Or, um, it could be, I mean, really anything, chocolate, a sample of chocolate, now come visit the tour and see where we manufacture and make the chocolate.
So, uh, yeah, it's, I think a lot are shifting to that.
Christine: Yeah, the liability aspect is really interesting. And being someone who's been a tour operator, I know that liability is like, often, sadly the very first thing we have to think of. But I hadn't thought about that in terms of why eco-friendly would be more attractive to a host or to a guest. And I actually, now that you say that, remember looking at listings recently that said like, we cannot be responsible for any reactions you may have to perfumes or, um, detergents or anything.
Um, you know, from, from our [00:23:00] sheets or cleaning products. Like we, when you think about that, that would be endless. And I guess if you went into a hotel, I don't feel like you would have the same. Uh, kind of litigious night mindset, but for some reason in a, in a vacation rental, because you feel like you're being hosted.
Maybe you feel like they need to take care of you in a different way, but that is really interesting that that's one of the considerations.
Rachel: Yeah. Guests are definitely becoming more demanding with their expectations regardless. They're, we're now getting very much compared to a hotel service as a vacation rental. So if they send a message and a host does not respond within a few minutes, it's negative. I mean, they really do expect, like, snap, we need something.
And if you have to deliver it to my room, I'd like it delivered to my room. Like it, the, the bar is just getting higher and higher, um, because of what Yeah. It's, it's hard to compete with hotels.
Christine: [00:24:00] Yeah. 'cause it's just not the same, it's not the same system, but somehow the same expectations. Follow you from one place to the next. Um, well, something else that we talk about on the podcast, and you kind of mentioned this of, um, influencers and travel. Um, when you're working with brands, like you are becoming an influencer in your own way, right?
You're influencing de decisions, you're influencing what's being sold and bought, how people are thinking about travel. Um, with these product placements, you are like literally putting products in people's hands that are gonna influence where they vote with their dollar on their next purchase. So how do you take that into consideration when you're looking for partnerships?
I know that, like I said, we met doing fair work with fair Trade and that you love to champion businesses. How much of that do you take into consideration when you're forming partnership?
Rachel: Yeah, I mean, I don't really turn anybody [00:25:00] down because somebody is going to want it, so I always leave it up to the host to decide if they want the product or not. So I put it out there. I never automatically send something. So there are some that promote and market themselves as eco-friendly and they're only gonna take products that make sense for them, and then there's others who don't.
I also work with a lot of property management companies, and it's costly to go eco-friendly. So self-managing host. They can do that more than like a big property manager that has, let's say 500 properties. Um, they're looking at the bottom line and um, so, you know, there's a little bit there, but yeah, if there's somebody that says, I'm just getting started and here we have fair trade or, or women owned, like, I'm gonna work with them to do whatever we need to do to help grow their business in a couple ways.
So one is just, yeah, let's find out what is your goal? You're trying to grow in a certain region. Um, increase sales. Do you have a new product or is it more [00:26:00] data and research? Do you wanna know what consumers think? Because if that's the case, I could go all day with that. Like getting data from a guest and a host.
Like, that's fun because we can try out flavors, we can try out, uh, any of your newer products and SKUs just to get a feel. Now, if. As an emerging company, they're usually all about, I need to make money right now. And so what I do in that case is I work more in the long-term stays. So those midterm rentals, because they're people who are going to be grocery shopping.
Not everybody shops on vacation. I mean, you hope you don't have to. Like the last thing I wanna do when I go on vacation is, yeah, let's hit the grocery store and get our food. Um, no, I don't want to do that. It's sometimes we have to, but when you're staying for a couple months, you're definitely going grocery shopping.
So that's an easy driver for me to help those businesses of let's place it, let's say Houston, ton of midterm rentals in Houston. Let's place 'em there. Smaller sample size. 'cause it's one booking not, [00:27:00] um, a three month. Uh, like that would come to about 20 bookings. Um, but it's one booking. And then you can say, now you can find me locally and go buy me here at this retail store, which is nice for driving retail up.
Um, so then I do like, because there's strategies that they don't typically think about. Um, but yeah, hands down, if you're fair trade and like, come, come to me and let's talk. And especially because chocolate, coffee, um, those items, they're already just such key amenities that the hosts like to have. So let them be the advocate.
But then on the marketing, this is where sometimes it's a miss for brands because great, they've sampled it, but do they understand what they're sampling? Do they understand the impact? And so you have a, it's usually like a five by seven, um, space of educate them, tell them what is fair trade. I mean, we know as we were talking too.
[00:28:00] So many women when we were, uh, selling our jewelry. It's, people don't know. Fair trade. Um, so what is it, what is, um, just any benefit of the brand that you wanna get across? You have their attention and talk about it?
Christine: Yeah. I'm gonna pause this just for a second. 'cause all of a sudden I hear like, what sounds like a spaceship landing? Did your AC or something kick on, do you think?
Rachel: Oh, it could be, but oh
Christine: will you hit mute? Will you hit mute for a
Rachel: Here.
Christine: Yeah.
Rachel: Oh, that's so lame. It's like I can't even hear it. It must pick it out. And I even have it on that like, setting of mute, outdoor sound. Darn it. Yeah.
Christine: Um,
Rachel: I can move rooms or I'll just turn it off.
Christine: okay. Would that be okay?
Rachel: Yeah, no, that's fine. But that's so funny 'cause I can't even hear it and hear. Here.[00:29:00]
Good times. Okay. Better.
Christine: Yes, that's definitely what it was,
Rachel: Oh, limo. What time? When did it kick in?
Christine: just in that last section.
Rachel: okay. Well, Carly gets to edit out.
Christine: Okay, so let me get us back in where we were all. Okay, so you're talking a little bit about the storytelling of a product, which I think is great 'cause that's something that I wanted to bring up. So you have kind of a little, almost like a display of where the product is in the, the rentals. Um, one of the things I saw when I was preparing for this interview was like, um, a little bit of a kit.
And I'm wondering how much of this, because I know you love marketing and partnerships and storytelling, like how much you co-create this with brands. For example, [00:30:00] the thing I saw was for Tony's chocolate, which like you've mentioned, I would definitely wanna see in my rental when I arrived, um, it said home is where the chocolate is.
So that was so cute. How, how do you do that? Do you help them get creative in talking to this market because it's probably a very different experience for them, or do they get excited and come up with it, or is a little bit of everything.
Rachel: Yeah. I love when I can brainstorm and think about this because they're used to their normal marketing of, it's just general, let's get out there. But no, you'll have to put yourself in the mindset of a traveler and the guest and put them in vacation mode. So how does it relate to them while on vacation?
And so that messaging does need to be a little bit more tweaked and creative. What's. More of a challenge though, is some of these brands already have marketing agencies, so then it's up to the agency themselves to come up with that marketing. Um, which then I don't have a lot of input. [00:31:00] Um, but more of the smaller ones that are kind of just getting started and have their in-house marketing, then I do, I get to work with them and I, I really do love that because I think they just don't see that side of it, and this is their opportunity.
Christine: Yeah, I, I feel like this is where this could be so exciting and like when we've talked and I'm like, oh, who do I know who might be you? Unique fit. Part of that is this way to take something maybe I already know and help them grow or like envision and tell a different story about their product. Or even for the hosts like, like to help them grow because they have this experience that kind of comes from both sides.
Like you really get to champion these businesses along. But I feel like that creative process in helping brands market to these consumers is actually maybe something that's gonna help them [00:32:00] even in the long run. 'cause like I was saying, so many of us get in a rut with how we think about something and then we land somewhere new and we wanna just take what we know and push it forward and it doesn't really help.
And so when you do something like this in a new way, it might just shift how you think about your brand and your product altogether. Like it just really could open up new doors for brands.
Rachel: Yeah. And also on the host side is we do a lot of our own marketing. So if you have a Instagram, Facebook page just for your property, a lot of it is of here's things to do, here's what I have at my property. But this also creates one more, uh, level of an amenity that you get to market. So most are not expecting to walk in and have a luxury shampoo or even, um, maybe some beauty skincare line.
So as a host, you get to break about it and put it out there as well on your own social media to tice [00:33:00] guests to book at your property. So it really does benefit them as well. Uh, and of course, the brand.
Christine: Yeah, and it's been fun for me watching your business grow and seeing how things are marketing and like on LinkedIn, every once in a while it'll pop up and it'll be like, you know, who did it best? And it has all the different host pictures of them sharing. What they shared with their guests, which for me, again, it's just helpful in thinking about marketing differently, which I, I struggle with.
'cause I, I just am not sure how to talk about things. And so this, like, I'm constantly from multiple angles seeing different ways to think about marketing.
Rachel: Yeah, anytime. Anytime you wanna brainstorm, hop on a call.
Christine: Yeah, luckily I can do that for my listeners. You might just have to follow her on, on LinkedIn so you can see some of that. Um, well, I, I wanted to talk a little bit more about traveling, because that's also while we're, [00:34:00] why, why we are here. Um, I know that you have loved travel, as you mentioned, that was part of your background in your studies and then has just been a huge part of your life and your family's lives with owning the vacation rentals.
You added another layer to that, but I wanted to just hear from you maybe why you think sharing travel with your family is so important or some, a story about how it has really, IM personally impacted your life.
Rachel: Sure. So fun. I could go so many different directions with this. Yeah. So I, with my parents, I traveled a ton. We'd usually do one big trip a year. Sometimes they'd pull me out of school and then it's like the rats of the teachers. But most, I think I have been pretty supportive of, yeah, go travel. You're gonna learn so much more when you're out and about.
So my, yeah, my parents took me. All over the world. Uh, biggest impact was Australia just always been kind of drawn to that area. So [00:35:00] they ingrained that in me, which I think just helps you grow as a person to be adaptable and flexible and you just know things aren't going to be perfect. I mean, I really say it's like the best way to know if you can travel with friends or a spouse.
It's like you are put in these different situations where it's stressful, but it's also fun and you just have to remember, yeah, you're on vacation, life is going to go on. It's okay if it doesn't go perfect. So, um, I think just the mentality of growing up as a kid and then when I was the InBetween, just living my single life and off traveling and, uh, doing life on my own.
I traveled as much as I could, I mean with friends or by myself, um, the study abroad, and then bring it into my own family dynamic. Um, it was, yeah. I guess a good one was we went to Argentina, just my husband and I before kids, and that was such a good test of our [00:36:00] marriage because things did not go well.
And I have learned that I am the one that gets angry faster. He keeps his calm like he really does when things don't go right. Like I can go a little, um, yeah, heated where he always is that one like, okay, I'm gonna work and, and interact with people a little bit differently than sometimes I might. Um, and so we really did have a nice dynamic together and realize, okay, this needs to be part of our family life.
So bring on kids. My daughter, I think she was six months when we took her to Hawaii for the first time. And it's just been growing and I think with them, one thing I, I really try to instill is we're not just staying in resorts, we're getting out, we're gonna see the culture. I want you to learn some of the language.
So actually on um, Thursday we're heading to Germany and I was like, learn some German, get onto lingo. Let's learn some basics study. Um, [00:37:00] yes, go read Diarrhea Van Frank, like go and understand what we're about to see because there's so much history. But my favorite thing to do is home exchange. And I know you know that I do this all the time, but um.
Taking ourselves out of the resorts, the tourist communities, um, even, I mean, Airbnbs will always kind of be my, my next best. But I love home exchange because we're swapping, we're swapping homes. So I'm learning about another family and how they live. We're in their home, in their neighborhood, and utilizing their things.
I mean, it's, it's pretty neat because you're, you can't get more and more than that. So like this family we're, um, staying at their place in Germany, they're not coming to our place. They're going to go camping instead. But they have been helpful of. Hey, you need some leader hose in for your October Fest.
You can wear ours. You need a dole, like wear ours. I mean, they're so [00:38:00] nice and it's this new level of really treatment, but understanding the, the local side. So I love that we did that in Bali. We've done it in Costa Rica, um, pretty much all over. It's how we, we travel and ironically, my son hates to travel.
I don't know what happened there. My daughter loves it and he is like a homebody, so it is kind of torturous to get him out. But I have to get him out of his environment because honestly, he would be that kid that lives in our basement until he is like 50 if we didn't. So I am forcing them to grow and just get talking to people, talk to strangers, um, you know, electronics.
They're so immersed in that that's how they communicate with their friends. Like my son is always gaming. He's like, no, you have to remove that and let's go see the world. And um, yeah, we, we take him outta school and we're gonna continue on as long as we have them. We will, we will take them on [00:39:00] trips.
Christine: Yeah. Oh, poor Bryce. 'cause he's taken a lot of trips. I'm sure any one of my children would be happy to swap places and go with you, and also to not go with me. So that would also be beneficial for them.
Rachel: We'll have, do some family travel together, traveling with friends. I will say like that's kind of a winner when you can have another family and they just have their friends because they do, they get tired of the adult company.
Christine: Yeah. Um, well, I love that idea of how the home exchange enhances the travel experience because, um, I, I think, like you were saying, getting out of the resorts and allowing yourselves to be more immersed in the destination is something, you know, obviously is, uh, very consistent in conversations I have on the podcast about how important that is in really experiencing a place.
And I remember being with my girls in Mexico at some point at a all-inclusive resort that we were there for a friend's, um, [00:40:00] uh, wedding rehearsal or something. And I remember one of my girls looking up and saying, didn't we come to Mexico? Everyone here looks like they're from America. I was like, today we will be getting a taxi and going somewhere else.
But I think it, we just sometimes don't think about that because that is how so many of us grew up traveling. We were taught to travel. That's the safe way to experience a destination or the easy way to experience a destination and or like the epitome of success is that you can afford this all-inclusive resort where you don't have to think about anything.
And like it certainly is easy and definitely was lovely with small kids, but like that was just such a powerful aha that they didn't even know where they were. And if I want travel to be a learning experience, they've gotta get out there and learn. And I love [00:41:00] that you brought up Duolingo as well because you know, for anyone listening and traveling with families, that is such a great way to like.
Get them involved in a way that they're gonna be excited about because yes, it's technology, but then they're learning and then they feel confident as a traveler and they can read some of the signs or they can engage and communicate even if, like our rule is always you have to learn how to say hello, thank you, goodbye please.
And then things, you know, like toilet and you know, beach or whatever, wherever we're going so that they can have a basic level of respect is what I'm trying to, to instill in them. And then also confidence, the basic level of confidence. And we traveled for four months together and it was really funny at the end they're like, do you realize how many different ways you say, you know, bathroom or toilet?
And [00:42:00] they're like, we had no idea. And like, it seems insignificant, but yet that is a like just. That's a really easy way for them to understand the difference of people in different places and the similarities of people in places like, I don't know. I feel like it's such a easy way to engage kids in the travel experience.
Rachel: Yeah, nothing irks me more than traveling with someone that thinks they're gonna have the American Experience International. It's, you know, like you said, you go to a resort and they have like the buffet and it's an American buffet. You've got your cantaloupe and it's like gross. Like this is not why I traveled here.
I want your local food, your fruits, give me something new to experience. And I mean, I've had those. Those people that I've traveled with, and they get annoyed when somebody doesn't speak English and they just expect, um, it to be the same as the United States. But isn't that why you traveled to get away? I mean, why [00:43:00] would you have that expectation get out of it, be uncomfortable?
I mean, I remember one of most, one of my. Definitely most uncomfortable moments traveling was I went to Fiji and I had made friends with, um, like the bartenders and the people that worked there. And so they decided to take me to a local, um, bar, and I went and it was the most uncomfortable because when I was a tourist and I was definitely the whitest one when I walked in, it was almost like that moment where the music stops, like when I walked in.
But I reflect on that. I was like, you know what? This was really good for me going, I was in college in the time and realizing it's not all about me and it put me in this really comfortable situation, but you realize that's how a lot of people feel. And, and that's kind of what I want my kids. I want them to be uncomfortable.
I know vacation's supposed to be all about comfort, but No, it's, it's more than that too. And I'll tell one more story because I love this. [00:44:00] And it was in Bali, um, I think it was before we had met up. Um, but we stayed at a home exchange and it was kind of in a remote area. And we're sitting out there and it's just down pouring and we're seeing these fishermen out on the beach and they're hurrying and they're trying to pull in their net, um, before the big storm comes in.
And so we're kind of watching and my husband's like, let's go help 'em. Why are we just sitting here not doing anything? These are people trying to make a livelihood for themselves, um, while we're on vacation. Like, why are we watching? So we all got up and we're helping pull in the net. It was one of the coolest experiences.
Because as they were pulling it in, they were getting all these fish and things that they didn't want, and shells. So they were throwing 'em on the beach, and my kids were there grabbing 'em, and one was like a seahorse. And so they just tossed the seahorse aside. And my kids were like a seahorse, like, when can you ever hold a seahorse?
And um, so pulling it in, and then they just had this [00:45:00] wad of fish and it was so cool just to see like that's how they were. They're gonna sell it and they're gonna make their money, and we're able to kinda help them and just know that you're also giving, you're giving as well while you're traveling. So,
Christine: Yeah, as soon as you said that, I was like, oh, I'm sure Rich is like, we can't just sit here. We have to go help these people.
Rachel: yeah.
Christine: so I love that. And, um, yeah, I think those are those, those happy accidents. I guess that immerse us in culture is when you kind of. Allow yourself to cross that imaginary threshold that is keeping you safe.
Even sometimes when we think we're being adventurous, we're still kind of keeping ourselves on the other side of that line because it's, it is hard to make yourself be uncomfortable. Like you do have to push yourself. So it's, it, it's interesting how you can kind of continue to be [00:46:00] kind of on the outside looking in, even when you think you're really being fully immersed.
And it takes, I guess, a little bit of practice to make sure that you're crossing over and engaging in a way though that still has respect and integrity. And I, when we went to Bali, that was one of the things I loved. Um. When I landed, I had done some scouting for one of my work trips that I was looking, um, to put together a trip in Bali.
And so I joined you guys a little bit later and your family was leaving as I was arriving. But, um, watching the relationship that your family had built with the hosts and everybody where we were staying, I was like, oh, this makes me so happy. 'cause I knew your kids were having an experience that they wouldn't have had anywhere else.
And that sense of connection and family. 'cause it seemed like we arrived at this giant family and it was [00:47:00] really the people working at the house that we were renting, but they were all like there as if we were there together, and it was so cool.
Rachel: Oh gosh. Yeah. And we still talk to this day, I mean, in, in Bali it, it is a little bit different 'cause yeah, you rent a house and they have someone that cooks and cleans and you really do get treated well, even though you don't always ask for it, it's just there. And so we just made friends and uh, they're, uh, one had a son, his name was risky and so my son became kind of his international pen pal friend for a little bit there.
And then COVID hit, which was a real struggle for the island. And so it was nice because we were able to send them money and just to help kind of get them through some of those tough times. Uh, and yeah, we're still friends to this day.
Christine: Yeah. Uh, when I was traveling in Greece with my girls a couple summers ago, we, it was kind of coming into off season, so we were [00:48:00] staying at a property where we, I think there was maybe one other guest that was there that I never saw, but it was like a lodge and then a. Restaurant and if you turn the corner and walked up the street, it was like their nana's, like their grandmother's bakery.
And then you went a little further up the street, it was somebody else's business and across the street was the family apothecary. It was like all these family businesses and. So when we got there, they had a daughter that was the same age as my youngest daughter, and they immediately started playing.
They had just gotten a kitten. And so my kids were, you know, obsessed with the cat. And at some point I realized that they had been playing together for hours and they never, their daughter spoke no English, and so they. But they became like the best of friends. And we were there for a week, and they would, as soon as they woke up in the morning, run out of our room, go to the restaurant and try to find the little girl.
And if she wasn't there, they would run to the grandma's bakery and she would maybe be [00:49:00] in the basement area, like the prep area playing. And it was kind of that same, like we got integrated into their family experience in some ways. Obviously we were there and we were still a host and we were buying food at the restaurant and things like that.
But, um, then the, the, the granddaughter got her grandfather to bring their donkey so the girls could see the donkey. And then like, when we left, because we were backpacking, and I noticed you did this too, like there were clothes, the girls had already outgrown on the trip, which, how does this happen?
You're like, we just left and now all of a sudden you have shoes that don't fit you, but they gave them to Anna Maria and like they still think about that. Connection. And I just think like that, um, yeah, I, I think that just really changes their worldview when they can understand and have that deep of a connection with people.
Rachel: Yeah, I completely forgot that we did that. We packed clothes that I knew they'd be outgrowing and we left them. We [00:50:00] left 'em with a much of the families. And same with just the basics, like tampons and those kind of things. I mean, we just left it all. And um, I think even the medicine, like in Guatemala, we took it to a hospital and anything that we could do, it's like, why travel back home with it?
We don't need it.
Christine: Yeah. Yeah. I, I think that it's always interesting to kind of think about that and think about how it can best serve people or what actions, and, you know, sometimes you have to think through it because sometimes you can't just. Leave things or give things in a way without disrupting the dynamic of things.
But if you are fostering these relationships, um, well, to just stay in Bali for a second or to go back, let's, let's go back. Um, I wanted to ask, you know, outside of that, personally, if there was any experience that was really powerful for you or a moment or anything you experienced that surprised you?
'cause you're quite a seasoned traveler at that point. Like, just anything that caught you [00:51:00] off guard.
Rachel: Well, Hmm. I mean, definitely there was an injury that happened that I'm still trying to heal from. That one, you got to be a witness of, of that snorkeling accident got beat up pretty bad with a back injury and that surgery is now five years later. I think it's five years happening next month. So, yeah. But that was.
I mean, not fun, but the same time, that was a cool experience to see how they treated that injury and what they did. Um, I was pretty scratched up. Like right now I'm gonna be that one that dies from the coral toxins because it's now in my system. You know, of course you start thinking about all these horrible things.
Um, but we went back to our place and the woman who there that did the cooking that I became friends with, um, she treated it with this paste. Like she went right to work and created, and I think it was out of like turmeric and just their natural land. Instead of running to the [00:52:00] pharmacy, she's like, Nope, I got you covered.
We're gonna make sure there's no infection. And then she painted me with lots of yellow. So that's why I think it was turmeric. Um, and it, I got no infection. I mean, that was. Really cool to see of you just rely on the land and what you have. And it did, I mean, it, it healed me enough to prevent further, um, yeah, infection.
Um, that was fun. And then of course, the. Traveling when we visited the women artisans and seeing, uh, what they're making and the jewelry, it's so beautiful and how they support themselves and really getting to see their environment of how they live and how just such a small amount of money make goes a long way.
So that was nice because what we, we do in that situation is we're seeing where the jewelry's made by the women Fair Trade Artisans, and then we would come back to the United States and we'd sell it to our friends and our family [00:53:00] and events, and then the proceeds would go back to those women. Um, so just seeing when you get a shipment of jewelry and it's in your hands, you have no idea the meaning of where it came from, how it was made.
And so to see that and visualize it, um, and put a face in a woman behind it was pretty incredible. I mean, you, you can't beat that experience. I mean, and, and that's where I saw it in Guatemala and Ecuador and all over the world like that. It's powerful.
Christine: yeah. And then it is great because, you know, you become like an extension of their business, right? And an advocate for their work. It's, it was always really interesting because it didn't, I think it can easy be easy to feel like. You are just like helping them versus supporting them. I don't know if that distinction is clear enough and it's hard to [00:54:00] put into the language, but like we really felt like it wasn't like, I guess what I'm trying to say as a hierarchy would normally be felt where we felt like we had the advantage in the upper hand.
And I think that wasn't the case at all. And it really felt like we know we could support their work by kind of being their sales force in this part of the world in a way that is really unique. And when once we met these women to be able to really, truly tell their stories and like, you know, know how funny they were or like how cute their kiddo was when they were hanging out.
Like it just changes the way that you are. Telling their story or honoring it and it didn't feel like you're just like reading something off a placard, you know, like you're really able to tell that story. So I think that was great. Um, for me and Molly, what was really interesting is [00:55:00] I had dreamed about going there for a long time, like probably many of us have.
And I had this real distinct vision of what it looked like, what I thought tourism was going to be like there. And this was one of my first trips, um, after having my kids, my youngest at the time I think was like barely two. And so I was experiencing that was hard for leaving her and also great for being able to leave them and be myself for a little while.
Um. But I was experiencing, um, kind of the beginning of overt tourism for the first time or some of the, um, backlash of Instagram and Insta-famous places. Bali is definitely a place that has been greatly impacted by that. And I know there was moments, I'm sure now if you're hearing this story, you're remembering because there were certain places where we were, where I was like, my responsible travel DNA is going to come unhinged, [00:56:00] please just like keep me in my corner because I, the, the respectful exchange and honoring place is something that's so important to me.
And, um, I hadn't experienced, like, I hadn't been in the world since Instagram occurred and I hadn't seen what it looked like in practice. And so that was a huge thing for me to be kind of re-inspired about the work I wanted to do. And then also like. Seeing how communities were really impacted by the way the places tourism landed, and then the places that tourism didn't touch and the disparity that that created in a destination.
And then we also were there right after the rainy season. And so where you had your horrible accident, also, I was standing there not wanting to get in the water because I was seeing like toothbrushes washing up and garbage. And, and it was in such stark contrast to this vision of Bali that I had carried.
[00:57:00] And, you know, maybe if we had gone two months earlier, two months later, it would've looked, it would've matched that image. But that's the one I experienced. And so then it was such a catalyst for understanding what climate and what. What an ecological toll we're having on the planet. Like there were all of these things that were happening in the background of my mind besides having a beautiful experience.
Um, so it was really a pivotal time for me in understanding kind of where I thought tourism should go or how I might be able to create impact in the future.
Rachel: Yeah, I remember that I was snorkeling with my kids before you got there and we were literally going through like milk jugs and chip bags and we're like, where's the beautiful Bali that we see in pictures? It was just swimming through trash at at times, and it is, it's tourism really can take a toll and [00:58:00] the disrespect that can happen, and when I saw it in Costa Rica too, just trash lining the streets of people just throwing out and it, it's just, wow, where, where's the respect here?
Christine: Yeah. So I'm, yeah, just something to be conscious of. And I guess those are sometimes the things that become the catalyst for our action when we, when we have those experiences or certainly catalyst for conversation when we're traveling with our kids and, and having that awareness. So, um, well, before we wrap up our conversation, um, I have a few rapid fire questions.
Um, but before we get there. I just wanna ask one more question about up close marketing. Um, I know you're kind of envisioning the, the next, you know, iteration when you're thinking about dream partners, both as hosts and as products. Who are you looking for right now?
Rachel: Yeah, so I really want to get into the outdoor space. I think it's an area that is [00:59:00] untapped and a, you know, a lot of people, summertime, uh, after COVID, like everyone wants to camp and get outside. And so I think if I can have more partnerships in the campgrounds, and again, when you're a guest, you check in, like when we camp, you know, you might get a, a pin or a.
A co, a cozy, but I want something more like, what else can you get when you show up? And it's more of that outdoor type amenity. Um, and then from the brand side, I mean I just, I love any sort of essential item that a host can replace with something better. Um, they're already putting it in their property.
What can we do better as a host? So think of the shampoo and maybe instead of the plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner, like what else could we put in there? And same with water, like we're always leaving bottles of water. Wouldn't it be great if it was more of a filter [01:00:00] system and that you could just reuse maybe some sort of nice, uh, water bottle that's just refillable that stays at the property.
So what can we do as a host and a brand to push that to just be a little bit better?
Christine: Yeah. I love that. Thank you for sharing that. Okay, so we will jump into our Rapid Fire, rapid fire ish questions. Um, the first one is, what are you reading right now?
Rachel: Um, Rick, Steves, Germany, and Austria because we're preparing, um, also downloaded the audio so we can do the city walk tours with the kids, which I love. Um, try. So that's more of like preparation. What I'm trying to finish is untangled. Um, that's my self-help of how to understand my teenage daughter. Um, have you read it?
Christine: I have it on my pile of books I have
Rachel: Yeah. Right. See that's my, I get a chapter about once a month done on that one. Um, and [01:01:00] then to prepare for my trip, I pulled out, like dusted off my Kindle, um, and I went is what is a bestseller in the Thriller and it's something with Frozen River. That one is in my Kindle waiting to be read. So we'll
Christine: Yeah. I love that. I like finding books too that take place in the setting of where you're going, but that are not necessarily like a travel guide or even travel memoir. Like it just kind of gets your energy ready to be where you're going.
Rachel: I need an easy light read with a book. I don't wanna put down, like, that's what I want.
Christine: Yeah. Um, what is always in your suitcase or backpack when you travel?
Rachel: Um, I usually do baby wipes because with kids there's always a mess. There's always something that needs to get cleaned. Um, yeah. Satin probably toothbrush.
Christine: Yeah. Uh, a toothbrush and an extra one for me if you're traveling with me because I never remember my toothbrush
Rachel: Yeah. And I don't share toothbrushes. My family, they try [01:02:00] as like, you're using your finger to brush your teeth. Don't even think you're touching my toothbrush.
Christine: no, I don't share either. Um, to sojo, to me means to travel somewhere with the respect as if you live there. Uh, where is someplace you would still love to sojourn?
Rachel: You gonna like this one? Uh, believes that's where I'm going to spend my 50th because I have just always been curious about it. Um, I'm curious how they take the US dollar, they speak English, but it's not part of the United States. Like I just, and I've seen so many friends like you that post beautiful pictures and I just, I feel like it's another level of, of Costa Rica, but different.
So that's, that's my next big one.
Christine: Well, we'll do some travel planning. When you get back from your next trip,
Rachel: Good. Good.
Christine: um, what is something you eat that immediately connects you to a place you've been?
Rachel: Lemongrass. I [01:03:00] love lemongrass and I think it's pretty much Bali, but there's some other, uh, countries that really use it. So I've started growing it in my garden and it's the one plant that's actually looks good and green and not dead. It is just taking off. So I put it in my bone broth. I put it in where I can lemongrass it does it bring me, it just brings me back to certain dishes and places and experiences.
Christine: Yeah. Uh, who was a person that inspired or encouraged you to set out to travel the world?
Rachel: Um, definitely my parents. I mean, they're the ones that pushed me. I even in, um, I think it was middle school, I did a rotary exchange and I went over to Holland and did a month. Um, so probably more my dad. I think my mom wanted to strangle my dad for encouraging me to do that. She's like, why would you do that?
Why would you take her outta the country? She's so young. So I guess if I had to pick one, it'd be more my dad. 'cause he did, he pushed me and he was always the one that said yes and didn't hold me back.
Christine: Yeah. [01:04:00] Um, if you could share an adventure with one person, fictional or real, alive or past, who would it be?
Rachel: Ooh. Um, this is a good one. I would probably pick my grandpa on my mom's side just because he was not a talker. He is, he is not alive anymore. But, um, he has so many stories to tell and he was one of those generations that just kept it in. Um, throughout the years we were able to, to get more. But he was part of, um, the war.
And if I could take him to all the places he was stationed during the war would be incredible. He actually, um, helped free one of the concentration camps. I would have loved to see it through his eyes, like, show me that journey and where it is. I mean, he fell in love once in, I think it was in France.
Like, show me those places. Tell me what it was like back then.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you. Um, and the last one, um, soul of Travel is a place for celebrating and recognizing women in [01:05:00] the industry that you admire. Uh, who is someone that you might wanna recognize in this space?
Rachel: Oh gosh, this is a hard one. Oh boy. I mean, it's kinda obvious to you. I think you've always inspired me, is just doing this with podcasts and Yeah, it's a tough one.
Christine: Yeah. Thank you. Well, I'm gonna also shout out someone that you introduced me to who is really fun, is Maddie Rifkin, who kind of works, um, in adjacent in both of our spaces. Um, and I interviewed her as well, so I'm grateful for the connection to her 'cause she is incredibly fun to follow everywhere that she is.
But, um, also thank you for recognizing, um, me. I appreciate
Rachel: yeah. Have to.
Christine: It's great to have people in your corner who believe in you, especially when you're trying to do crazy things and sometimes you don't believe in yourself to have the person you can call and they're like, yes, you can keep going forward. So. Um, thank you for [01:06:00] being here and reminiscing on Bali and best of luck in all of your, uh, endeavors as you grow this company That I think is really, really great to see.
Rachel: Thank you so much, and if you're a host, come join. Go to up close marketing.com.
Christine: Yeah, thank you. And I'll share it in the show notes as well.
Rachel: All right, thanks.
You can find me on Facebook at Lotus Sojourns on Facebook, or join the Lotus Sojourns Collective, our FB community, or follow me on Instagram either @lotussojourns or @souloftravelpodcast. Stay up to date by joining the Lotus Sojourns mailing list. I look forward to getting to know you and hopefully hearing your story.