Yarns for the Soul
"Yarns" is a common way for New Zealanders to describe having a chat, a conversation. We might say 'I had a great yarn with Nicole the other day!'. For me, a yarn can go in many different directions, often including multiple tangents and side stories. It also involves having deeper discussions and diving into some vulnerability, before coming back up to a lighter level with some sarcasm or dark humour.
Yarns for the Soul was born out of a desire to champion more honest and vulnerable conversation (but also feel like you're sitting on a friend's couch with a cup of tea having a yarn with them- and that friend is me!).
I believe in the magic and power of story-telling, and everyone has stories that deserve to be shared with the world. We are all experts of our own lived experiences, and I hope by sharing these we can foster more curiosity and compassion for others and the world around us.
I yarn with my guests on a range of topics, often delving into subjects that are still considered socially taboo or not spoken about enough. In my mini-yarns, I also share parts of my own stories, and reflect on things that I'm learning while I continue to muddle my way forward and follow my nose!
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If you'd like to get in touch, or follow my journey, you can find me over in Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole. See you there!
Yarns for the Soul
Episode 40- Empowering women through travel: yarns with 'Greether' founder Vanessa
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.
