Gen Z travel and lifestyle entrepreneur Gabby Beckford shares how a solo-trip to Iceland at 17-years old inspired her ongoing travel adventures ever since. She takes us through her study abroad experience in Dubai, her trips to Sri Lanka, Turkey, Kenya and how it all led to her to leaving her 9-5 job and founding “Packs Light” and “Young Travelers Network” as resources for Gen Z travelers. She shares her entrepreneurial transition, how she built up a side-hustle while working at her full time job, and then made the leap. Gabby then talks about solo-female travel and offers her #1 tip for women travelers. She then discusses minimalist packing, specifically for women, and shares tips on how to travel the world with carry-on luggage only while still looking stylish. Gabby also talks about being a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance, and discusses the importance of amplifying Black travel narratives. She also talks about how to bring “Black Lives Matter” into your travels by seeking out Black history and culture on your travels, patronizing Black-owned businesses, and she gives tips on how white people can be better allies to Black travelers around the world. She then talks about her company, how she selected the name “Packs Light”, and the value that her website content, young travel community, and funded travel opportunities offer to Gen Z travelers in particular. She also talks about her marketing services and how she works with brands and businesses. Finally, Gabby talks about her COVID-19 pivots and adjustments she has made for her business to thrive during the pandemic. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
Hosted by Matt Bowles
100: Empowering Gen Z to See the World and Bringing “Black Lives Matter” Into Your Travels with Gabby Beckford
Episode #100: Empowering Gen Z to See the World and Bringing “Black Lives Matter” Into Your Travels with Gabby Beckford
Hosted by Matt Bowles
100: Empowering Gen Z to See the World and Bringing “Black Lives Matter” Into Your Travels with Gabby Beckford
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Gabby Beckford
Gabby Beckford is a Gen Z travel and lifestyle entrepreneur. She is a marketing strategist, content creator, TEDx speaker and the founder of “Packs Light” – an all-inclusive travel resource to empower young people to seek risk, seize opportunity, and see the world. She shares travel tips as well as opportunities for her 365Membership group to travel countries like Russia and Azerbaijan—completely funded. Gabby has tens of thousands of followers on social media and provides inspiration, entertainment, positivity, and empowerment, particularly to Generation Z. Her “Young Travelers Network” Facebook group has nearly 1,000 young travelers age 16 to 26-years-old who share their travel stories, plan in-person meet-ups, and connect with other global young travelers. Gabby’s mission is to empower other young people to see the world now by changing what they see as “possible” with money, opportunity, and ability. Gabby is also a founding member of the Black Travel Alliance and is committed to amplifying Black narratives in the travel space Gabby took her first solo trip at age 17 to Iceland and never truly came home. During college, she won more than $70,000 in scholarships which helped her study in Dubai for a year and then continue to travel the world. She has spent time in over 30 countries, given a TEDx talk on Delusional Confidence, and been featured in publications such as Good Morning America, The New York Times, Travel+Leisure, Essence, and Business Insider.
What You'll Learn
- How Gen Z Travelers can see the world, have it funded, and build community
- How to bring “Black Lives Matter” into your world travels
- How women can travel the world with carry-on luggage only and still be stylish
Links From the Episode
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LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
WINE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
WATCH GABBY’S TEDx TALK
READ GABBY’S BLOG POST
CHECK OUT THE BLACK TRAVEL ALLIANCE
#1 BOOK THAT GABBY RECOMMENDS
OTHER BOOK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
GABBY’S FAVORITE WINE
1 PERSON GABBY WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 GABBY’S BUCKET DESTINATIONS
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CONTACT GABBY
Time Stamped Show Notes
[3:47] Gabby’s Upbringing and Passion for Travel
[4:44] Solo-Traveling to Iceland at 17-Years Old
- Gabby’s Experience in Iceland
- Inspiring a Lifetime of Travel
[6:58] Studying Abroad for a Year in College
- Matt’s year abroad in Ireland
- Gabby’s year abroad in Dubai
- What Gabby loves about Dubai
- What Matt loves about Dubai
[10:43] Driving to the Airport for a Trip to an Unknown Destination
[11:49] Gabby’s Entrepreneurial Transition
- Planning her exit from her 9-5 job
- Building up her business for 2 years before quitting her job
[15:15] Gabby’s TEDx Talk on “Delusional Confidence
- What “Delusional Confidence” and how it relates to Gabby’s achievements
[17:11] How Gabby Rolls when she Travels
- Being excited to try new things to challenge her and help her grow as a person
[18:28 ] Gabby’s Shares Some of Her Travel Experiences
- Abu Dhabi
- Sri Lanka
- Turkey
- Kenya
[21:59] Gabby’s Tips on Solo-Female World Travel
- Connecting with Travel Groups and Local People on Social Media Before Trips
- Gabby’s #1 piece of advice for solo travelers
[23:21] Minimalist Packing Tips for Women
- Traveling the World with Carry-On Luggage
- Base Colors and Lots of Accessories
[25:11] Co-Founding the Black Travel Alliance
- Creating the BTA after the murder of George Floyd
- Amplifying Black Travel Voices and Holding the Travel Industry Accountable
[26:27] Bringing Black Lives Matter into Your Travel
- How white travelers can be better allies to Black travelers
- Devote time and money to places that value diversity and inclusivity
- Pro-actively seek out Black history in each travel location
- Be kind to Black travelers
- Speak up against racism when it’s all white people in the room
- Patronize Black businesses
- Identify yourself as a safe and supportive ally whenever possible
[34:50] Founding “PacksLight”
- The meaning of the name “PacksLight”
- Gabby’s Website, Blog Tips and Travel Opportunities
- Gabby’s “Young Travelers” Facebook Group
- Brand and Marketing Services
[41:56] Gabby’s COVID-19 Business Adjustments
[45:52] The Lightning Round
- #1 Book Gabby Recommends
- #1 Travel Hack
- Gabby’s Favorite Wine
- #1 Person with whom Gabby would like to have dinner
- Top 3 Favorite Travel Destinations
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations
[50:25] Contact Gabby
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