According to recent independent research, 79% of travelers experience information overload, spending hours planning their trips–often resorting to advice from friends, family, or social media. Meanwhile, travel influencers receive complimentary experiences, leaving them with meager earnings and limited cash flow. Alternatively, the trip planner friends within their social circles often find themselves unrewarded for their hard work–a common challenge that has overtaken the travel planning industry.
Enter Globe Thrivers, a next-generation travel app and membership platform that is on a mission to revolutionize the trip planning process through incentivizing engagement and travel loyalty, while empowering members to convert their passion and local insights into tangible rewards.
Establishing a win-win-win opportunity, the company offers members a one-stop-shop for curated travel inspiration, seamlessly integrated with AI-powered tools for trip organization and planning–all while enabling them to earn tangible monetary rewards for their contributions.
Driven by a fervent love for exploration and a passion for travel and tech, Globe Thrivers’ Shir Ibgui always had a passion for sharing her experiences online, but felt the challenges of researching and planning. In 2022, she decided to merge her passion for travel and tech to founding Globe Thrivers—a solution aimed at bridging this very gap.
From leading business development and partnership efforts at AI startups for 6 years and developing a large interest in consumer behavior, digital innovation, eCommerce, and artificial intelligence, Shir has taken the industry by storm with Globe Thrivers.
Where Your Passion for Travel Earns Rewards
At its core, Globe Thrivers values the commitment and expertise of dedicated travel planners. By harnessing the power of human behavior, the platform incentivizes users for their insights and curated content – fostering a sense of community while igniting higher engagement among its members. The company’s target audience, “problem travelers” between the ages of 18 and 35 who take five or more trips a year and spend a minimum of $5,000 on travel annually, are facing a wide range of challenges when it comes to the trip planning experience.
Serving as a centralized hub where curated travel inspiration seamlessly merges with AI-powered trip planning tools, Globe Thrivers offers members the opportunity to access meticulously curated insights and also earn tangible monetary rewards for their contributions—setting a new standard for travel planning platforms. This unique approach empowers users to convert their passion and local insights into real rewards, ensuring that their efforts are acknowledged and valued.
Shir, what is one of the biggest challenges for travel planners that Globe Thrivers aims to address?
“There’s too much information to sift through, too many fake experiences, and it’s hard to connect with locals who share their interests. Plus, the trip planning process is excessively time-consuming, the available planning and scheduling tools are often subpar, and those who invest substantial effort in planning frequently find themselves undervalued, whether it’s by friends, family, or even fellow travel creators.
Now, more than ever, these travelers are all about crafting unforgettable adventures. They want to dive into different cultures, and they won’t settle for anything less than top quality, convenience, and personalized or upgraded experiences. So, we’re here to cater to their needs and win their loyalty with an engagement-based and membership business model.”
What would you say is an industry shortcoming?
“We are building Globe Thrivers today because the current travel landscape is uniquely poised for innovation. The convergence of advanced AI technology, the rising importance of community and ownership, and the evolution of loyalty programs has created a timely opportunity. With AI-powered personalization, travelers can access tailored itineraries and recommendations. In a society that values user-generated content and peer recommendations, community sharing is paramount, fostering trust and authenticity in travel choices allowing us to leverage that data with AI technology.
Furthermore, Globe Thrivers introduces a loyalty program that aligns incentives with users’ sharing habits, recognizing their contributions, and enhancing their rewarding experiences. In a rapidly evolving travel industry, Globe Thrivers leverages this convergence to offer travelers a more personalized, engaging, and efficient trip-planning and sharing experience, making this the perfect time for its development.”
How is your company different from others in the industry?
“Globe Thrivers differentiates itself by merging the strengths of both platforms and introducing a unique loyalty program that incentivizes engagement—a challenge faced by industry competitors. We are also leveraging AI to streamline the content creation and list building process—a one-stop shop from inspiration, planning, to booking.”
If you were to describe your daily routine – how does a typical day on the job look like as Founder & CEO at Globe Thrivers?
“A typical day in my role as the founder of a tech company is a dynamic mix of activities that revolve around overseeing various aspects of the business and working towards our goals. I often work remotely, which provides me with the flexibility to manage my time effectively.
Here’s an overview of what my daily routine typically looks like:
Morning Planning: I usually start my day by reviewing my schedule and prioritizing tasks. This involves checking emails and messages to stay updated on any urgent matters. This is short because mornings are crazy since half our team is in Israel and I need to meet with them first thing with the time difference.
Internal Team Meetings: I have regular meetings with my internal team, which include the engineering/product, marketing, and growth teams. We discuss ongoing projects, address any issues, and brainstorm ideas for product development.
Marketing Strategy: I engage in conversations with our Head of Marketing to discuss our marketing strategies and campaigns. We analyze performance metrics, brainstorm creative approaches, and ensure our marketing efforts align with our business objectives.
Investor Relations: Part of my role involves prospecting and pitching to potential investors. I may have meetings or calls with prospective investors to present our company’s vision, financials, and growth plans.
Lunch: Sometimes, I have too many meetings so I eat during a meeting, but I’m trying to block off half an hour for lunch.
Advisor Meetings: I meet with our advisors to seek guidance, share updates on company progress, and benefit from their expertise. These meetings serve as valuable checkpoints for the company’s direction.
Brand Partner Onboarding: If we’re onboarding new brand partners, I oversee this process, ensuring they understand our company’s values, goals, and their role within our ecosystem.
Strategic Planning & Administrative Tasks: I handle administrative tasks such as budgeting, resource allocation, and monitoring the company’s financial health. This ensures that our operations run smoothly and efficiently. I do this at the end of my day once all my meetings are done.
Networking: I’M ALWAYS DOING THIS. Building and nurturing relationships in the tech industry is vital. I make time for networking events, industry conferences, and meetings with other professionals to expand our network and explore potential collaborations.
My role as the founder of a tech company is multifaceted and demands a blend of leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on involvement. Adaptability and the ability to wear multiple hats are essential as I guide the company towards its goals while navigating the challenges and opportunities in the tech industry.”
Can you give us a glimpse into your background? How did you get to founding Globe Thrivers?
“I began my career in 2015 with an exciting internship at a travel-tech startup in Paris while I was in college. Inspired by this experience, I ventured into the world of entrepreneurship and launched my own travel and lifestyle blog, where I collaborated with various brands.
Subsequently, I transitioned into a full-time role in the tech industry, relocating from Miami to Tel Aviv. Throughout my journey, I have consistently received requests for recommendations, which continue to pour in even today. Over the past 6 years, I have been working at B2B AI SaaS startups in Israel primarily focusing on business development, partnerships, and sales.
Motivated by a desire to combine my passions for technology and travel, I made the decision to found Globe Thrivers. This venture aims to address a significant problem I have observed: the lack of a unified platform for travelers to save their inspiration, create lists, and collaborate with fellow adventurers all while being incentivized to help one another seamlessly plan their trips.”
What is the most challenging aspect of your work and how do you overcome it?
“I would say time management. I’m being pulled in a million different directions between product, marketing, finances, legal, GTM, sales, pitching to investors. I live by my calendar to keep me organized and accountable. I also started blocking off time for some quiet thinking and working time to brainstorm and answer emails.”
With everything you do and manage, how do you maintain a work-life balance?
“I work at least 60-70 hours a week but try to stay at 60. Being a solo founder and starting a tech company is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but it’s empowering and I’m learning so much every day. Thankfully, I have my husband who forces me to disconnect and we organize dinners with each other or friends and make sure to maintain a social life.”
What keeps you motivated? What inspires you most?
“The incredible journey of resilience and determination that has shaped my family’s history is what keeps me motivated and inspires me the most. My grandparents were forced to leave Morocco due to the scourge of antisemitism, and they embarked on a courageous journey to Israel when it became a country. Their unwavering spirit and tenacity in the face of adversity are a constant source of inspiration for me. This legacy of determination continued with my parents, who immigrated to America for better opportunities. As first-generation immigrants, they instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and the belief that with dedication, one can overcome any obstacle.
As a female founder, I draw strength from the unique challenges I’ve faced along my entrepreneurial journey. Being a first-generation American and a woman in the tech industry has taught me to thrive in a world where diversity and inclusivity are increasingly vital. My inspiration comes from the opportunity to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and make a meaningful impact on the tech landscape.”
What is your biggest dream and what would you love to create in the world?
“Build an app that truly helps travelers worldwide save their travel inspiration and plan their trips!”
What productivity hacks do you have to recommend?
“Find a comfortable spot and make a nice drink. I like hot tea first thing in the morning.”
The Future of Travel
As the travel industry continues to evolve, Globe Thrivers stands at the forefront, leading the charge in revolutionizing how travel is planned, experienced, and rewarded. By addressing the pain points of contemporary travelers and rewarding their contributions, Globe Thrivers is shaping the future of travel–offering a seamless, engaging, and rewarding journey for travel planners.
In a world where travel is both a passion and a lifestyle, Globe Thrivers emerges not only as an app, but as a beacon for a community that cherishes the beauty of exploration while being rewarded for their expertise and contributions.
Welcome to the future of travel—where user engagement meets tangible rewards and a place where every journey is a testament to the thrill of discovery. Join the Globe Thrivers community and start your seamless travel planning experience today!
Want to learn more about the Globe Thrivers app and membership platform? Connect with Shir Ibgui on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiribgui/ or visit the company’s website.
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