Our guide of the week is John, a concert pianist and investment banker, that provides private concerts in the comfort of his sweet downtown Manhattan loft. His preferred method of communication is through music, so we’ve put together a small compilation of what he played for us!
New York City is so vibrant and diverse, and it’s always awesome to meet someone that’s just as diverse and unique!
Jamie, our CEO, wrote a blog post on the Collaborative Consumption blog!
I started playing soccer when I was eight years old. Today I continue to enjoy the thrill of the great “passing game”. A squad works together to move the ball from one end of the field to the next, one player pops it in the goal, and the victory is everyone’s to share.
The journey of a start-up is similar, particularly when you make sharing your business.
Two years ago when I moved from New York to San Francisco, I was surprised to discover that a pay-it-forward ethos dominates the start-up scene. This is a different concept than pure networking or favor exchanges that prevail in New York. In the Bay Area, everyone from the powerless entrepreneur to the Almighty VC expects to share their specific knowledge and resources with those who lack them, despite the highly competitive climate. This is what powers Bay Area start-ups.
But for collaborative companies such as ours, sharing is more than a custom, it’s our lifeblood.
At Vayable, we joke that we are “powered by Airbnb.” You see, in a sense our first round of funding came from Airbnb, not in the form of loan, but in an enterprise that has been mutually beneficial in moving both our companies forward.
In the first few months of starting Vayable, each member of our team was either renting or hosting on Airbnb, and using the extra cash to pay for basic expenses as we bootstrapped the company. Two of us even moved in with friends and rented out our own apartments full time to vacationers.
TaskRabbit also played a big part. Busy at work building our community and product, we would send TaskRabbits out to clean our apartments, greet guests, and one time, even show a guest how to use the television remote.
For an entrepreneur the commercial benefits of collaboration are clear and quantifiable, while the more subtle benefits of connection, idea sharing and building community are harder to measure but invaluable.
Sometimes on weekends and late nights our community manager, June, and I will work from the Airbnb headquarters, where we share much more than desk space and wifi with their team. Two am conversations turn into community initiatives and product ideas. This model of collaborative conception among our teams is a powerful demonstration of a whole being larger than the sum of its parts.
And when we travel, we take our habit of sharing with us.
In New York, the Vayable team works out of LooseCubes, a start-up that connects people looking to co-work with co-working spaces. LooseCubes not only taps into a market of space-sharing, but also one of knowledge sharing - a benefit we experienced first hand, collaborating with the LooseCubers on marketing and business strategies.
I also enjoy regular collaboration with the founder of Skillshare, another New York marketplace focused on classes and learning. We’re learning from one another and our products and communities are better for it. Michael offers a tour on my site and I offer a class on his.
As the economy forces us away from surplus and toward sharing, entrepreneurs are building businesses around the redistribution of these goods and services. We’re seeing more overlap among collaborative consumers: people who need a place to stay also want something to do, as well as help getting things done. This means that as one of us grows, we all grow. Conversion from Airbnb to Vayable is higher among existing users, as they’re already acclimated to the sharing model and many of them are emphatic about it.
And it’s no coincidence that those who have shared the most knowledge, resources and time with me as a first-time entrepreneur have been the founders of Airbnb,Kickstarter, TaskRabbit. They are not only mentors, but also trusted friends. And as the Airbnb and Vayable communities join together in New York next week, and TaskRabbit and Vayable team up this fall, it’s becoming more clear that the “passing game” at the heart of community-based marketplaces is not only a viable business model, but also a viable way of launching and growing a dream.
Our guide of the week is Frieda, who does wine country bike tours! She is a registered nurse, fitness trainer, and lover of bikes and wine!
Area in the Bay: Santa Rosa, Sonoma Wine Country
What’s your favorite vineyard and why? My favorite vineyard is Pellegrini Family Vineyards because they serve us a big variety of good wines and have great customer service!
What’s the best part of your wine on bikes tour? Biking through beautiful nature trails which include vineyards, running streams, farms, and farm animals.
What are some tips you have for biking while buzzed? You need to eat nutritious snacks during the day and listen to our advice about safety tips while biking. Be sure to relax and enjoy!
by Caryn
Hi, I’m Caryn from A Day in The Life. This post is part of a group of blogs participating in the 20SB Blog-Swap 2011. Be sure to check out June’s post on Life in New York on my site today!
If I have any advice for college students today, it would be to travel and study abroad. It was by far the best thing I did while in undergrad. There will always be classes you need to pass or credits you need to take to graduate but nothing surpasses the once-in-a-lifetime experience of living overseas, taking classes and traveling.
In January ’06, my second semester junior year, I packed my bags and moved to Florence, Italy for five months. I spent my in time taking classes and traveling. I even got credits that counted towards graduation! When classes were over, I traveled solo for a day or two to meet my friend from the states in Barcelona to begin our four-week backpacking exploration. Often times we saw cities by day and slept on overnight trains by night. Together we traveled to 13 countries: Spain, France, and Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, France and back to Italy. I could write pages upon pages about each country I visited but that will be another day.
When In Rome… Warning, cars in Rome are crazy! Do not make eye contact with the driver or you will find yourself in a race for your survival to reach the other side. I saw cars and mopeds driving on sidewalks and speeding through very narrow cobblestone streets. There is even a name for the madness - Roman Roulette. You can’t escape art in Italy, it is everywhere; from the floors, the walls, the cracks in the walls, the ceilings, the fountains, and just about everything, is covered in art and/or sculptures. I can’t even describe the feeling you get when you walk into a vast room with nothing but intricate art and paintings from floor to ceiling. The architecture is like nothing I have ever seen before and everything is so rich with history. Nothing of the kind can compare in America.
Visiting the “Ghost Town”: If you go to Italy, I highly suggest making the trek to see Pompeii. Pompeii is a town near Naples that got buried in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. I remember learning about this in history class, but to see it up close and in person was mind-blowing. People and objects were preserved just as they were at the time of the eruption. It continues to be the #1 most visited archeological site in the world. Pompeii reminds you that life can change in a split second and to enjoy the most out of it while you can.
Adventures in Switzerland: The first time I went to Switzerland I went night-sledding with a 106 fever and tonsillitis. I dunked my face in the snow and powered through it! Night-sledding is a night activity where you sled down a windy mountain playing follow-the-leader, except because it is night, you can only see the glow stick around the neck of the person in front of you. The second time I went to Switzerland, I returned on a mission. I wanted to Skydive! Yes, I jumped out of a plane at 1100 feet! The scariest part of the entire experience was the anticipation during the plane ride up to the jump point. And just like that it was over. The adrenaline kept me going for days and I felt like I had a permanent smile plastered on my face. It was the most natural high you can possibly experience. I have never felt more alive! I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Lessons learned from studying abroad:
1) I had more of a culture shock returning to The States than I did arriving in Italy. In fact, I found myself a bit depressed for a few weeks upon my return. One thing I noticed is that everything in Europe is old, I’m talking centuries old, rich with history and art, while America is so young and modern and everything is new! In the life of history and cities, America is just a toddler. Columbus came to America in 1492 but Pompeii had already been destroyed centuries earlier in 49 AD. Crazy, right? As Americans, we think our technology is advanced, but man, are we wrong. Just look at ancient European cities like Rome and Pompeii. They didn’t have the machinery to build their homes and buildings, only slaves, yet they still stand strong today.
2) In Europe, everything is laid back and runs at a much slower pace. You have to ask for your check when you’re ready to leave a restaurant, they will not bring it to you. Everything is so fast paced in The States. Hurry here, do this, do that, fast food, the hustle bustle, urgent world of needing everything Now! is exhausting. This was really hard to adjust to when I returned.
3) America really is a super-sized country, both in our egos and our food. The thing about the food in Europe is that portion sizes are so much smaller. We have fast food joints on every corner in America. Our food isn’t as fresh and our single portions are enough to feed a family! No wonder we’re on the fast track to eating ourselves to death. It is beyond disgusting. Oh my mouth is salivating just thinking about all the scrumptious fresh food in Italy!
4) Talent and intricate art is everywhere there but nothing of today compares to the talent Michelangelo, Raphael or other Italian artists. In generations to come, what artist will we look back on and study?
5) Transportation in Europe is much easier and cheaper than in The States. I learned that it is possible for me to pack minimally and only live out of a backpack. I quickly learned there is something very freeing and liberating about traveling solo or even with a friend in a foreign country. I learned that I can get around Europe on my own. Knowing I could conquer obstacles and rely on only myself to get around was empowering, satisfying and a very rewarding experience. I learned a lot about myself, increased my confidence and helped me be more independent.
6) Have no regrets! I wanted to going skydiving but my travel buddy did not. We split up and each did our adventure activity that we wanted to do. I also wanted to visit Auschwitz so we took a train, hours out of our way, to make sure we had no regrets.
7) No education can teach you more about cultures and yourself than living abroad. I am a far more cultured and well-rounded person for having these experiences. The world has so much to offer, it is important to get out of your bubble and experience new places and things. Be sure to take these experiences by the horns and don’t be afraid to go for a ride of your life!
The Best Of – little pointers to help you on your way:
The Best Gelato: Gelateria on a street right off of Trevi Fountain called Della Palma Gelato Di Roma, in Rome, Italy.
The Best Pizzeria: Restaurant called Yellow Bar, in Florence, Italy.
The Best Weekly Music Bar: Bar called Be Bop with a Beatles cover band every Tuesday, in Florence, Italy.
The Best Most Authentic Italian Restaurant: (and most delicious) La Giostra, in Florence.
The Best Advice Regarding Travel: Travel is nothing like it is in America. Travel is a breeze in Europe. Use trains and cheap airlines (as low as $10!), however, avoid Ryan Air at all costs. It is okay to be spontaneous and last minute.
The Best Kept Secret Beach Spot: Elba – off the coast of Western Italy.
The best Advice to Backpackers: Enjoy every minute of it! Don’t worry about the calories in the pizza or gelato. Take pictures of everything. While I am all about being financially responsible, remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity – don’t skimp out on the photographer when you go skydiving. You will want those memories preserved, I promise! When backpacking, bring clothes you can mix and match and re-wear. Take advantage of the overnight trains but be sure to sleep with your backpack on you at all times on trains and in hostels and bring a travel bed sheet and quick dry towel for sanitary purposes. Be on the lookout for pick pockets and scammers.
The Best Advice to Students Studying Abroad: Immerse yourself in the culture. Try not to be a tourist - rather live how the natives live. Don’t get caught up in the world of the Internet or missing home. Home will be there when you return. Keep your passport somewhere safe! Enjoy and live in the moment! Don’t put anything off, make sure you do and see everything you can! If you study somewhere that has a foreign language, take that class to learn the language. Challenge yourself out of your comfort zone. And be prepared for experiences and memories that will last a lifetime!
CIAO!
We’re skipping across the country and launching in New York City today! Opening our doors in New York is like coming home. Jamie spent years years acting as an impromptu tour guide for visitors and taking them to awesome places in the city and came up with the idea while working at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Now, less than four months after launching in San Francisco, we’re officially spreading the love (and the cashmonies) amongst everyone living in the big city where the rent is too d*#n high.
We already have some great experiences in New York City, so be sure to check them out! Whether you’re into sketching models as they walk down the runway, tasting craft beers, eating amazing foods in various neighborhoods, touring historic districts, or getting pampered by a concert pianist, we have a little something to tickle everyone’s fancy.
Also, join us in making the Big Apple a bit more bite-sized by sharing your knowledge, passions, and hobbies with others! Our community manager, June, is going to be in the in New York City for the next three weeks, so feel free to email her if you want to meet up and chat about Vayable! We also created a Facebook group here, and everyone is welcome to join and start sharing your stories and happenings.
We are also joining forces with our friends at Airbnb to celebrate our launch on August 23rd. If you want to come, email us here and tell us a little bit about yourself!
by Dheera Venkatraman
It depends on whether you travel to sightsee or explore. I’ve been quite lucky enough to have had an enormous number of travel opportunities at my age. A long time ago I used to be a typical tourist, interested in seeing the great castles and palaces and museums and landscapes of the world. I would flock to the top places on traveller magazines and snap my couple photos and move on like anyone else.
Over time I found myself less interested in all of that. Having travelled so far to some 35+ countries, 200+ cities, I started at some point a couple years ago to feel that I’d seen enough of the world’s superlatives and all the tourist attractions. Museums no longer interested me as much as books and even Wikipedia which contained more information; impressive constructions and monuments were impressive, but I’d already been wowed by enough of them. The tallest this, the grandest that, the smelliest this, the oldest that. Scenic viewpoints gave me photos no different than the thousands and millions already on the web. Castles, palaces, forbidden cities, ruins, they all start to get old. They’re impressive, but you’ve already been impressed by them. I began to feel that there wasn’t much meaning in actually travelling to see things. One would say that it’s “different” to actually see something in person than to read about it. That’s true initially, but it wears away after a while. Sooner or later you’ve seen enough of Michelangelo’s own handiwork that scanned copies online suffice. Sooner or later you’ve seen enough fantastic landscapes that living them through 21-megapixel photos ends up being not all that different.
However, I didn’t lose interest in travelling. Rather, I stopped travelling mainly to see and instead began to travel to discover. That is, to see what others don’t usually see. That doesn’t necessarily mean going out into unexplored territory on Earth — there frankly isn’t much left — but rather to go and try to have a different experience than most. Sometimes that means travelling by uncommon means (say, cycling long distance when most take trains and buses). Sometimes that means travelling at the “wrong time” (travelling [safely] in bad weather to see a place under different conditions). Sometimes that means heading to a major city, looking at a map, crossing off everything mentioned in Lonely Planet and going elsewhere. Sometimes that means getting to otherwise-touristy destinations at the crack of dawn to see a serene sunrise when nobody is there. Sometimes, there really are places to explore that nobody has ever heard of and in some of those places it may actually be safe to wander out and explore. Often, it means interacting more with locals. One should of course also exercise responsible tourism when doing all of this.
Nowadays, I’m also out for photography. I go to places just to explore the art of photographing things. I photograph things that I think people don’t usually photograph. I don’t usually take recommendations on “photogenic places” because those are precisely the places that have been photographed to death by others. I just wander and find things as I go.
This is all of course apart from travelling to see family and friends. That’s entirely another purpose to travelling. And hiking, because it’s good exercise and escape into nature from city life. But my touristic interests are no longer in sightseeing but more in wandering, exploring, photographing. And if possible, understanding people and different ways of life. As long as that remains the case, no, the interest doesn’t stop and I don’t think it ever will.
Dheera is an MIT graduate student in Electrical Engineering and works at the RLE Optical and Quantum Communications Group. His non-academic interests include physics, technology and computer science, hacking up and building electronic gadgets at home, ancient history, culture, linguistics, [vegetarian] food, community service, environmental conservation, philosophy, photography, classical and traditional music, tea, hiking, and travelling (especially by train, bicycle and foot). He currently lives in Beijing.
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Our guide of the week is Kym Ferrari, who takes people along to various marijuana dispensaries in the Bay Area in a limo! Learn about the best spots to medicate, the various health effects of cannabis, and fun stories Kym has to share. We sat down with her to talk about how she got her start with cannabis and fun, quirky facts!
by Ian Edlind
Just one week removed from an ascent of South Lake Tahoe’s Mt. Tallac, my brother and I opted for a less hardcore but infinitely more social (conversation is sparse when you’re gasping for air at 9,700 feet) hiking experience in the City by the Bay. Our guide was Jareau Wade, host of “Getting High in San Francisco” - a three hour ode to the hill-top high points of central San Francisco. It was a sunny, 75-degree Oakland Sunday morning when Jareau texted, “Make sure you dress for wind”. We heeded the warning - when it comes to weather, all bets are off across the bridge.
As we power-walked up Bernal Heights, Jareau, a Business Development lead at an Internet start-up, came clean with his intentions. Vayable uses his company’s payment system; guiding was an opportunity to “test” it from the payee’s stand-point. Working on weekends…this guy deserves a raise!
On this particular morning, San Francisco shared in the East Bay’s sunny fortunes and Bernal Heights Park was poppin’ with joggers, dog walkers, and families taking in the views.
With one peak down, we hopped in his car, traversed Noe Valley and joined the weekend warriors on Twin Peaks. Not content for parking lot views, we skipped over to the twins, North Summit and South Summit. A three hundred sixty degree panorama awaited: San Francisco, the Bay, Golden Gate, and a even a tiny sliver of ocean (cloudless days only), all within our sights. Sufficiently mesmerized, we lingered on the summit as the wind whipped by us like a Lincecum fastball.
Back at sea level (and now approaching lunch time), Jareau treated my brother and I to milkshakes at Super Duper in the Castro. I’ll take the organic chocolate/strawberry flavor, please! Consider it the cherry on top of a rock-solid morning.
Ian Edlind is a newcomer to the San Francisco Bay Area scene after a five-year stint in the Nation’s Capital. Now living in Berkeley, Ian fills his free time with local novelties, both large and small, including funky NorCal wineries, East Bay hill-scrambles, and winter-time outdoor pool swims (a bona fide “pinch me” moment for a Philadelphia native). Partial to outdoor adventure, Ian has parlayed his passion into a writing gig with Weekend Sherpa, a Bay Area outdoors newsletter. Because only in the name of journalistic integrity, would any sane person riverboard the South Fork American River.
