If there’s one characteristic that sets exceptional entrepreneurs apart from the rest–it’s grit and the ability to persevere through challenging times. Meet Raquella Raiz: Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Cray–an app designed with the purpose of assisting users in discovering, booking, and sharing outdoor adventures and local travel experiences, all while providing an opportunity for them to monetize their travel content.
From hip-hop dance instructor to startup founder who built and sold a video marketing agency before stepping into the world of tech–Raquella’s unwavering determination fuels her ability to navigate uncharted territories, adapt to rapidly evolving landscapes, and turn obstacles into opportunities. In the face of adversity, she has consistently risen to the occasion, leveraging setbacks as stepping stones to success.
Raquella’s character serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance. Read all about this Fem in STEM’s personal journey and what inspired her to founding the most exciting travel app for Gen Z.
What is Cray and what problem is it aspiring to solve?
A blend between Tripadvisor and TikTok, Cray is a social-selling video app empowering content creators to monetize their short-format travel content by allowing users to explore, book, and share their travel experiences. Founded in June 2021, Cray is a video-centric online travel booking platform for Gen Z that was established with a mission to help content creators monetize their skills and passions around travel by fostering a community to help them reach that goal.
Raquella: “We are currently working tirelessly on the development of our flagship product – a cutting-edge mobile app. Brace yourselves for some exciting news as we gear up to launch it in Miami this July. It’s truly remarkable that even during the app’s construction phase, our early marketing efforts have already paid off with over 160 million views on social media video content. We are also thrilled to share that our subscriber count has exceeded 240,000, and our audience continues to grow steadily. Stay tuned for more updates!”
Raquella, how did you get to founding Cray? Can you give us a glimpse into your background?
“Born in New Jersey, just a bus ride away from New York City – I trained in Hip Hop Dance at Broadway Dance Center. I spent my 20’s teaching Hip Hop while marketing my dance classes with videos on YouTube and Facebook. I started Hip Hop programs for studios that still flourish today all through social media and word of mouth.
Eventually, my love for video marketing stole my heart and I left the dance industry to open a video production agency, Qreative Edge. My passion for beautiful content grew and grew until Qreative Edge was acquired in August 2022 so I could focus fully on Cray.”
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of your work and how do you deal with it?
“Working with my husband can be extremely challenging at times especially when we have conflicting ambitions. We make sure to have constant open dialogue and understand when to yield. We both bring a lot of expertise to the table and respect each others’ ‘domains’.”
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
“By understanding that I can’t do it all. The common misnomer that all ambitious women have faced for centuries is holding us back. We literally can’t do it all so I make sure to surround myself with the right people. The right business partners and team, the right life partner, and the right childcare.”
What keeps you motivated?
“Knowing that no one is going to hand me the life I want. I have to build it.”
What is the most inspiring thing that happened to you?
“When our first viral video hit its first million views on YouTube, there was this ‘A-ha’ moment. It inspired us and showed us the potential we have with Cray.”
Do you have any productivity hacks?
“I lean into my cycle. Knowing when to expect high levels of productivity and when to be kind to myself and not judge my low output.”
Who’s a Fem in STEM that you look up to?
“Inge Lehmann was the seismologist and mathematician who figured out the Earth’s core was actually made of a solid inner core surrounded by a molten outer core.”
What does your typical morning look like? Describe your daily routine.
“I’m not sure ‘typical’ fits into my entrepreneurial vernacular. Every day looks so different and can be in varying locations around the world but here is a semi-normal day that you will find in my schedule at least once or twice a week:
7:00 AM – Wake up and get the kids ready for school
8:00 AM – Workout in gym or surfing session
10:00 AM-6:00 PM – A hybrid of in-person meetings and Zoom sessions
6:00 PM-8:00 PM- Dinner and bedtime with kids
8:00 PM-9:00 PM – Unwind with my husband, Levy
9:00 PM-12:00 AM – Additional calls and work”
Which do you prefer? PC or Mac?
“Mac is a creator’s best friend. I started learning how to edit and produce music on my Mac over 20 years ago and progressed to video editing and have stayed loyal all this time.”
What’s your favorite hobby?
“Basketball is my first love but ever since picking up surfing 3 years ago I can’t get enough.”
Tea or Coffee – which do you prefer?
“Coffee, all day every day.”
What’s your favorite place or country you’ve ever visited?
“Maldives with Peru coming in at a close second.
My work suits me perfectly because I love to travel and fly my drone. My country count currently stands at 21: Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Maldives, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.
But we all need a bucket list: Antarctica, Brazil, Greenland, Indonesia, Space, Morocco.”
On that note, what is your biggest dream? What would you love to create in the world?
“My biggest dream is to help others actualize their dreams. When I was a dance instructor that was to help my students become better dancers. When I built a video agency, it was to help our clients share their missions with the world. And now it is to help content creators monetize their travel content so they can travel full-time.
The Cray Advantage
Cray is a cutting-edge video app that enables you to explore, reserve, and exchange exhilarating outdoor adventures and local travel experiences. With Cray, you can delve into a collection of captivating short videos crafted by fellow users and activity operators.
By utilizing the Cray app, users can effortlessly document their own experiences, allowing other users to seamlessly book those same adventures directly through the app. As a bonus, Cray users receive a commission for every booking made from the content they share.
Experience the convenience of Cray on both mobile and web platforms, as the app leverages advanced machine-learning algorithms to match users with the most inspiring activities that suit their unique personality and circumstances. Read more about Cray in this article by PhocusWire.
Want to learn more about how Cray is disrupting content marketing in travel and giving power back to creators? Check out their website or connect with Raquella Raiz on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquellaraiz/.
Stay up-to-date by following their journey on Instagram and YouTube.
Are you a Fem in STEM and interested in being featured? Send a headshot and two additional pictures you’d like to share on social media, along with your bio and/or a write up to femsinstemmag@gmail.com.
Discover more from Fems in STEM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
