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On this episode I am joined by the amazing Vanessa Karel, two-time business founder, entrepreneur and creative producer. Vanessa created the platform Greether, aimed at making travel more accessible, sustainable, and safer for female travellers. 

Greether started when Vanessa found herself in Morocco at the start of the 2020 pandemic feeling isolated and wanting to connect with locals who could show her around and answer questions about life in Morocco. She discovered that there was no technology out there that could help her- so she decided to create it herself!  

As well as yarning about how Greether was created, Vanessa shares how the platform is aimed at both female empowerment and sustainable travel. Greether is used by solo travellers and small groups, as well as by women of all ages. The Greeters tailor the experience to whatever you're interested in, whether it's thrift shopping, checking out museums, or finding the best local spot for coffee. Greether also creates accessible and flexible work opportunities for the Greeters, and aims to support women-led local businesses and services in each location. We also yarn about how travel and where you spend your money is a cultural and political statement- whether you're aware of this or not! 

Some of the ways Vanessa and Greether have been celebrated so far include:

• Vanessa was named one of the top 100 rising Latinx startup founders to watch.
• Greether was selected to enter Expedia's accelerator program for creating more accessible and sustainable tourism.
• Greether was named as one of the top innovative female empowerment sustainable startups by the UN World Tourism Organisation.
• GreetHer featured in PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024.
• Vanessa won the 3rd edition of 'Tourism Promise' by the National Tourism Business Council of Mexico.
• She was also a winner of the second edition of of E-100, an initiative by the Association of Entrepreneurs of Mexico that recognises inspiring entrepreneurs making an impact in Mexico. 

If you're interested in learning more or want to book a Greeter for your next adventure, follow the link here to the Greether website. You can also follow Greether over on Instagram @greet.her to keep up to date on all the awesome work Vanessa is doing!

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If you want to follow my own travel adventures, or just get in touch, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole.

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