Vayable Pop-Up HQ: Live

Jamie | The City as our Muse New York is nothing like Paris;...

Tue, 12 Nov 2025 23:47:00 -0800

Jamie | The City as our Muse

New York is nothing like Paris; it is nothing like London; and it is not Spokane multiplied by sixty, or Detroit multiplied by four. It is by all odds the loftiest of cities. It even managed to reach the highest point in the sky at the lowest moment of the depression. - EB White

Vayable first found a home in New York two years ago when a small community began sprouting up among some foodies, artists and city enthusiasts who began offering experiences on our platform. We followed these intrepid early insiders to the city to meet with as many of them as we could. We hosted a late summer party at the rooftop of the Delancey with our friends at Airbnb and shared lunches, shopping trips and walks in the park with the people we met. Within a few short weeks, New York surpassed San Francisco in bookings and number of insiders, and to this day, it continues to hold its position as the top U.S. destination on Vayable, which should come as no surprise.

New York has not only been an incubator for the development of our product and business, but it’s also been an incubator of sorts for my own personal and professional development. I spent my twenties in New York and in many ways have come to think of it as a second hometown.

As we move into our third home as a Pop-up headquarters, we’ve learned to appreciate a new and important role the city has taken on in our business, that of the muse–inspiring and empowering creativity and growth in our vision, product and team. San Francisco personifies the power of the network: we benefit daily from the people around us building new products, businesses and chasing lofty dreams. Vayable was born into it in a sense (I never moved to San Francisco to start a company, but rather happened to be there and benefit from it when I did) and it inspires us to be better and never limit our imagination. Paris challenged us to look beyond money and toward connection as a primary motivator for community and our platform. It lifted the veil from parts of our business that had been broken and covered by the niceties and blind enthusiasm that are distinctly San Franciscan.

And now, New York.

The night before we all departed to launch our Pop-up headquarters in New York City,I sent the following email to our team reminding them of important info like our office location, schedule, contacts, and right below our goals, I included the following:

Just for fun I added some of my favorite essays, should you elect to read them.

Cities and Ambition by Paul Graham

http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html

Goodbye to All That by Joan Didion

http://theramblingqueen.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

Here is New York by EB White

http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/shorts/white.html

A note on these essays: They’re meaningful and relevant to our Pop-Up HQ for several reasons. The first one was emailed to me by my best friend back in 2007 and was the first time I was exposed to Paul Graham. I knew nothing about YCombinator, but the essay left a strong impact on me. Since then I read it several times a year. PG now tells me that the center of gravity for consumer technology companies has shifted from Silicon Valley to San Francisco. I feel this frames the ideology and practical application behind the Vayable Pop-Up HQ concept. The Didion piece is my favorite essay of all time. It not only communicates my own story of 7 years in NYC (and that of many, many others) but it is an exhibit of the evolution of consciousness and how one’s perception of a place is informed most profoundly by what takes place inside oneself. This clearly has implications on our business and how we frame and deliver meaningful experiences and human connections. Lastly, Here is New York is probably the most famous essay, and yet I only discovered it when I was in London in June in a conversation with a Londoner about our shared fondness for New York. It’s supposedly the most quoted essay about New York.

Each of these capture a central theme about a city’s power to inform, move and change people, and of course, the mutual effect people have on cities. If we think of Vayable as a kind of “global city” that we’re collectively (with travelers, insiders and our team) erecting, we should be thinking of the impact it will have on everyone who inhabits it, as we have the power to have a transformative, lasting influence on people the way New York City has.

Building a community and product from around travel makes the city more than a classroom, but our muse, and we have a lot to learn from those who have come before us and experienced her creative force and inspiration.

10 Things Paris Does Better than San Francisco

Sun, 06 Oct 2025 22:10:00 -0700

10. Demonstrations

9. Flea markets

8. Door codes

7. Vertical gardens

6. Cafe gourmand

5. Hipster hangouts

4. Car sharing

3. Procrastination (“Vite fait bien fait”)

2. Health care

1. Community

Jamie | Day 21: The City of Light It is no accident that...

Sun, 06 Oct 2025 14:23:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 21: The City of Light

It is no accident that propels people like us to Paris. Paris simply an artificial stage, a revolving stage that permits the spectator to glimpse all phases of the conflict. Of itself Paris initiates no dramas They are begun elsewhere. Paris is simply an obstetrical instrument that tears the living embryo from the womb and puts it in the incubator. -Henry Miller

Nathalie | Day 20: London's Calling Today was a day of...

Fri, 04 Oct 2025 18:39:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 20: London's Calling

Today was a day of relaxation in London. Why? Things change.

Originally we had an ambitious plan. We were going to pop around from country to country and replicate the user acquisition we’d piloted over the weeks in Paris into a single, condensed 48-hour process. Shortly after arriving in Paris, however, we realized that while this adventure would have been an enormous amount of fun, the cost of flying to different countries wasn’t worth the user acquisition possible in such a quick period. Paris worked because we were there for a good chunk of time–we were there to have follow up calls and coffees and get togethers. We met with people and then met them again. The underlying logic, of course, is pretty simple: building community takes time and attention.

So instead of rushing through and making half-hearted attempts to grow our London community, we decided to focus on Paris entirely. So our stop over in London became and actual break after a long haul in Paris.

Who did you meet?

The fly babe in the photo above!

Jamie | Day 19: Lessons from the streets of Paris …the whole of...

Fri, 04 Oct 2025 14:42:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 19: Lessons from the streets of Paris

…the whole of Paris is a vast university of Art, Literature and Music…it is worth anyone’s while to dally here for years. Paris is a seminar, a post-graduate course in Everything. -James Thurber

After many rich conversations about emerging collaborative businesses, open data in government and community, the idea of openness seems to resurface constantly, but I was surprised at how often the idea came up on today’s Vayable experience through the Latin Quarter.

The theme of secrecy versus transparency shows itself constantly here. Parisians love secrets. Parties are only as cool as they are secret. Who you’re seeing or what you’re doing for the weekend is treated with secrecy. The air of mystery seems to be a critical part of Parisian culture that keeps its authenticity in tact. And yet, the secrets kept here seem to be only as valuable as their ability to be discovered.

As the misfit group of about 12 of us (French, Germans, Belgians and me) walked through Notre Dame and into the over-trodden streets of the left bank, I began to cringe in reflex to being that American tourist. We crossed the Seine and stopped right in front of the famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, where more tourists were taking photos than thumbed through books.

“Why is Shakespeare and Company important?” Cristián asked us.

“Because it’s where the tourists go,” I responded.

“Why do the tourists go here?” he asked. I had no idea. No one did. I realized that I’d developed this huge aversion to a place without knowing why.

As it turns out, the store is still family-operated and has been from the beginning. It has a rich history of providing a home to writers in exchange for working in the shop and reading books. Its walls, lined with English-language books, have provided a home for literary expats in Paris for generations. I began to feel my mind opening up.

A few blocks away we stopped at Rue Dante, where Dante had come to recite poetry in Latin, because it was the universal language among academics of its time, it became the namesake of the neighborhood and tells its rich history of education and cross-cultural exchange. The day continued like this – learning the stories of world-famous sites as we passed through them.

I realized that getting off the beaten path isn’t about departing a physical space, but a state of mind. Being open to discovering something new and allow a sight or a story to change how you see the rest of the world is what getting off the beaten path is all about. It’s ultimately about being open to discovering secrets.

Who did you meet?

I went on an amazing Vayable experience learning about the history of the Latin Quarter with Cristián. He used to be a tour guide and his knowledge of the Latin Quarter coupled with his passion for the history of Paris and his charisma made him one of the best tour guides I’d ever met. He is busy now with other projects, but he says he leads these special tours once in a while in someone’s honor, and I was humbled and fortunate to learn that he’d done this for me. Several people showed up, including Annisia, the co-founder of Djump and her friend Judith, who is currently doing her residency. I also met a bunch of very friendly people (and future Paris Insiders!) on a rooftop in Montmartre.

What interaction stood out most and why?
Learning about the history of the Latin Quarter and the history of higher education in Paris was by far one of the most meaningful and inspiring ways to spend an afternoon. It was magical how Cristian weaved together this narrative in such an animated and engaging way. I truly felt like I was living history.

What was the biggest challenge?
Figuring out how to tie up this experience with a bow when I feel like it’s only just beginning.

What new ideas did you have?
There are so many amazing connections and friendships that emerge from Vayable experiences – it would be so great to find more ways to keep the connection even after the experience takes place.

What did you discover about yourself?
I forgot how much I love learning and learning about learning. It’s so humbling to remember constantly how little we actually know and how much more we can always expand our minds.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?
Vayable is so much more than a product and a community, it’s an approach to life and discovery. It’s beyond a commitment, but an undying need to shift perspective for the sake of learning more about oneself and about life.

How’s the team doing?
The team has all departed and I think eager to return home after this adventure.

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life."

Thu, 03 Oct 2025 22:14:00 -0700

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Nathalie | Day 18: Shared space and thoughts We had our last big...

Wed, 02 Oct 2025 18:18:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 18: Shared space and thoughts

We had our last big day in the Mutinerie office before the team hopped on planes to start the long trek home. Michelle and I worked on follow up for user acquisition and enjoyed the last moments in our temporary work home. The day was broken up, randomly, when an old friend from Hanoi saw on Facebook that I was in Paris. He messaged me and, a while later, showed up at the office to grab a drink. Since we last hung out he has married and had a baby. I had switched jobs, continents, and romance. There was a lot to catch up on.

Later in the evening, we joined a community event at Mutinerie. The managers had asked us to give a presentation of Vayable to their community at a periodic event they hold called “Aperopitch.” The crowds of Mutinerie workers unplugged from their headphones and emerged from behind the sea of MacBooks to face the stage. There were some funny videos and presentations from new members of the community to talk about their projects. In a co-working space full of individual people working on individual projects, it was actually a pretty lovely opportunity to check in and learn about each other’s endeavors.

We were asked to get up and give a short presentation of Vayable and, in particular, our work in Paris. My only regret is that we hadn’t done something like that at the beginning of our stay (rather than just slip into the mix quietly) because it opened up a lot of conversation.

Who did you meet?

I met my old friend Nico! We reminisced about the good old days in Hanoi. And somehow it came up that he doesn’t drink alcohol. What a shock! That disproves my theory that I can only be friends with drinkers.

What interaction stood out most and why?

After the presentation at Mutinerie we went along to the upper side of Canal St. Martin above the Jaures train station. There was a lovely little restaurant alongside the water. We were starving, but they were not serving food anymore, so Michelle and Gabriel went across to get McDonald’s (for shame!). The waiter scolded us–but I wasn’t sure if it was because we brought in outside food or if it was because it was McDonald’s. Probably both.

What was the biggest challenge?

Ugh. Public speaking again!

What new ideas did you have?

I hate to say it, but Chicken McNuggets are delicious.

What did you discover about yourself?

I did my part of the presentation in French instead of English and found, miraculously, that I have less stage fright when I’m speaking in a different language. I have no idea why that is.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

Talking at Mutinerie made me realize that there are so different many elements of our community, which extends far beyond our users.

How’s the team doing?

Tired, but happy. As per usual.

Jamie | Day 17: Redefining Community One gets a good look at...

Wed, 02 Oct 2025 14:38:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 17: Redefining Community

One gets a good look at one’s country from this perspective, and one learns to see one’s nation with double eyes, to feel what we have got and what we have not got. I’ve learned more about America in one month in Paris than I could in one year in New York. Looking at this country makes all the unimportant phases of the American problem fade somewhat and render the true problem more vivid. -Richard Wright

Our community event was last night and it was a very rewarding, moving experience. It made me think a lot about community and the differences between community here in Paris and back at home. The idea is the same and yet the practice is so different. Taking time to spend quality time with others has been an overarching theme during my time here, and I see how that is truly the foundation for real community-building and sustenance. Otherwise it’s forced. What we tend to call “community” in the Bay Area, particularly in tech, sadly isn’t truly community at all. It’s become a catchphrase, a euphemism for “users” or a network. But community in the truest sense isn’t that at all – it’s the bonding and binding that takes place when meaningful interaction and sharing occurs. It’s what I found in Paris and what I realize has been lacking in San Francisco.

Who did you meet?

I met the Airbnb Paris team, a bunch of new people at Mutinerie and some people who work for the national government on open data. Also, walking home from work with Antonin, we ran into Robin Chase riding a velib along the canal.

What interaction stood out most and why?

I did a fireside chat at the Airbnb Paris office. I was so moved by the team, their enthusiasm and how the culture is so much like HQ.

What was the biggest challenge?

Finding time for everything we wanted to do.

What new ideas did you have?

Thinking about the community we’ve built here, and the personal and professional relationships I developed without ever expecting to really made me realize that we truly do have our counterparts in all parts of the world. I am particularly impressed by how strong the cultural alliances are in many ways between Northern California and France.

What did you discover about yourself?

I didn’t realize how much I would be building a community and life here.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

There’s really a shift in industry that’s occurring right now and it crosses political, geographical and social boundaries. It’s truly a swelling movement that’s merging the public and private sectors like never before. I’m very excited that we’re a part of this.

Nathalie | Day 16: Demo Day in the 19eme Today was the...

Mon, 30 Sep 2025 16:56:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 16: Demo Day in the 19eme

Today was the culmination of our stay in Paris. We brought a bit of Y Combinator culture to Paris by hosting a Demo Day at our co-working space, Mutinerie. We invited our existing Insiders, our potential Insiders, and members of the Vayable community in Paris. The goal was to showcase how being in Paris has impacted our product and business–and also to get the community involved in shaping the direction we’re headed. We ended the night with a panel discussion and Q&A with Frederic Mazzella (Founder/CEO of BlaBlaCar), Julien Muller (Holidog) and Jamie, moderated by Arthur De Grave of OuiShare.

Whenever I host parties I feel like a nervous kid. Is there enough food? Will anyone show up? After all the snacks and drinks were beautifully set up (merci Michelle et Magalie!), I sat there wondering if we’d have to eat all the Pim’s cookies ourselves. Besides the other invites I had invited about 40 people, but hadn’t asked for RSVPs. Mercifully, Seth cracked open a bottle of red. And mercifully, as soon as 7 o’clock struck, the guests started streaming in.

All in all, it was a night of warm spirits and bodies (40-odd people packed into a ventilation-less cave basement!). But hopefully the photos below look ‘glowing’ instead of sweaty.

Who did you meet?

I saw nearly everyone that had interviewed to be an Insider–as well as many of our existing Insiders. It was a nice bookend to the trip because it really felt familiar. This time we weren’t meeting each other for the first time–we were reconnecting.

What interaction stood out most and why?

I loved Seth’s presentation of the wireframes for potential profiles we’ll use on the site. Everyone there got to vote on which one they’d like to see. It was a fun example of both business and user sides creating something together, which rarely happens. And Seth made it really interactive and fun.

What was the biggest challenge?

Probably the public speaking. I have never loved talking in front of groups of more than 10 or so–even if it’s people I know well and even if I know exactly what I’m talking about. I’m much better at it than I was in the past (I nearly puked once presenting a paper at UC Berkeley), but I still get butterflies. Martin, one of our soon-to-be Insiders, told me to imagine everyone naked. I’m not sure if that helped.

What new ideas did you have?

It sounds cheesy, but I really do like everyone I’ve met here. It’s lovely to be able to go to a new city and feel like I could just keep my bags unpacked and set up shop here. With everyone we’ve met–from the photographers to artists to entrepreneurs–I feel like I have a group of interesting people and friends already made.

What did you discover about yourself?

When I public speak I completely blank out. I have only vague recollections of what I said. I just hope I didn’t say “like” a lot.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

Our community will absolutely ravage a table of snacks. It was completely destroyed!

How’s the team doing?

We were all happy–but the night was really complete when Eskil put on a monkey mask. I don’t know where that came from, but once the monkey mask gets pulled out, you know it’s been a successful event.

Jamie | Day 15: Enriching each other with our...

Mon, 30 Sep 2025 14:35:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 15: Enriching each other with our differences

Mettons en commun ce que nous avons de meilleur et enrichissons-nous de nos mutuelles differences. —Paul Valéry

Let us embrace the very best of what we share and enrich one another with our mutual differences. —Paul Valéry

Tonight I enjoyed a collaborative dinner at Aribnb with other founders of Sharing Economy startups. Olivier, the Airbnb Regional Manager for Western Europe kindly hosted us in their Paris office. It was an evening of new encounters and one familiar face: Antonin, the founder of Ouishare. After several hours drifted by with pizza and conversation, we made our way outside and each of us headed home.

At the end of the evening, as Antonin and I readied to part ways on the metro platform at République, he turned to me and said, “Maybe we met two years too early.” I didn’t know what he meant, at least not immediately. As we faced one another, listening to the swish of the metro doors open and close by our side, my memory began to play back the scenes in my mind that would explain what Antonin meant.

Our first encounter was two years ago in Paris, almost to the day, after a friend of mine introduced us over email. Antonin suggested we meet at a barbecue in a courtyard of a stunning building that houses a foundation created by Eugénie Napoleon the wife of Napoleon III. I didn’t think much about the significance of our setting at the time, other than that it was beautiful and a perfect entrée to my visit. Now, looking back, all the details of that first meeting are like poetry; the Napoleonic backdrop, the potluck and even the odd darkness of the night have all taken on a new meaning with time. Reflecting from where we are today, that mid-September evening may as well have been another lifetime.

Vayable was only a few months old and the term ‘Sharing Economy’ hadn’t yet been uttered by anyone beyond a few people we personally knew. Even Airbnb was just beginning to get real traction abroad. At the time, you could count on one hand the people discussing the idea of a peer economy publicly, and 24-year-old Antonin was one of them. His make-shift soapbox of a blog, a Facebook group with an ever-changing name, and small community events were modest, but his mission was not. So it turned out, we had that in common.

I was bootstrapping the business on my own and had just recently raised a very small amount of angel funding that allowed me to do things like host our website, allocate a small stipend to myself and a couple employees, and throw small community meet-ups. A conference was flying me to Milan to speak, so I took the opportunity to make a stop in Paris to visit a tiny, but promising Vayable community that had seemed to sprout up out of nowhere. Today it’s our biggest destination.

Antonin and I spent the evening alternating between speaking English and Spanish, with brief exemptions for French, when I had the vocabulary. The topic of conversation centered almost exclusively on travel, cultural exchange and why the sharing economy is inevitable. He spoke about the transformative experience he had living as an insider in South America, and I spoke of the same I believed everyone could have worldwide. I don’t think I realized that I was already achieving what I’d set out to do that night in that Napoleonic garden.

Over the next few days a very small, modest community began to cohere in Paris as Antonin, an innate connector, introduced me to people he knew would be excited about Vayable. Together, we brought them into the fold of the seedling that was Vayable’s Paris community. We had about 12 insiders in Paris. We wanted to double that, and we did. But looking back now on who is still using our platform, who is not, and why, I realize that it’s not actually the quantity of insiders that made the impact and spurred our growth— it was the quality. The true metrics of our business are engagement, empathy and openness — one insider who possess these traits is more valuable 100 people who do not.

Antonin had become my insider, not only to Paris, but to a core piece of my own business. And I, coming from halfway around the globe, had become his. Talking with Antonin was like taking a crash course French culture. He was always running late and he loved to criticize the U.S.. He introduced me to music festivals in Neuilly, home-cooked meals in the 13em, and to local reporters — everything I’d want to get out of the city in my three-day visit there. To Antonin, criticism is good, money is bad, enjoying life is more important than following a schedule, and process is overrated because the things that matter will get done, eventually, somehow. I contended that criticism is only as good as its application, money is what makes the world go ‘round (whether we like it or not), schedules allow us to enjoy more life and process is necessary to yield the best results (which we should measure!) quickly. We never resolved our conversations, but rather punctuated them with “you’re so French” or “you’re so American” to mark the end of a round of light sparring. We were opposites; we saw in the other an embodiment of the parts of our entrepreneurial selves that we most feared.

In many other ways, we also were each others foreign counterparts. We were equally as obsessed with the future. Despite our cultural clashes, we both rejected the idea that barriers could stop people from connecting. And when we placed side-by-side the images of a better world that each of our minds had painted, they were identical.

Over the same two years, Vayable’s group of 12 Insiders in Paris in 2011 has grown to 120 engaged, passionate members. Globally we’ve grown from 150 to more than 5,000 insiders. We’ve built a team of some of Silicon Valley’s top talent and found investors to help us become a viable business. At the heart of our business are the relationships we’ve built with our Insiders, and no coffee or apéro with them is ever too long. We’ve opened up our product for debate and critique by our community and I’ve learned to embrace the often brutally honest feedback here as a gift. What else is more valuable? I’m less afraid of being transparent and sharing the whole story, even the “bad” parts. Because here, it’s not bad, it’s valued.

Meanwhile, Antonin’s mini soapbox has grown into a global movement that has captured the hearts of thousands of members and the attention of industry executives, government officials and the media. He’s worked without funding and leveraged his own passion and that of the people around him, but discovered, this is not fully sustainable. Antonin’s rigid schedule is now packed with speaking engagements and meetings, which are part of a new business plan (turns even movements need money).

As the overhead clock ticked past 23h in the République metro station, we stood opposite another in a rare silence. Why were each unable, or perhaps unwilling, to assimilate our mutual lessons two years ago when we met? We were so quick to embrace our similarities and so quick to reject our differences. As time has passed and wounds we’ve suffered along our respective journeys have scabbed, it is hard to imagine now that the wisdom we so easily and naïvely gave away to one another had gone lost in translation. But connections take time to build, a truth that’s easy to forget in the era of Facebook. The disappointment we experienced by seeing our ideas bounce off one another other like teflon was merely a result of our own impatience.

The slow transference that eventually took place between Antonin and I over the past couple years cuts to the heart of what our communities are seeking to build: a more inclusive and collaborative world that is open to change. And we’re far from alone. The movement toward this new economy is motivated by economic, environmental and social factors. It’s driven by changing regulations, changing governments and a changing idea of what it is to live a good life. But at its core, it’s driven by people from different places, backgrounds and ideas coming together over a shared value, a collective change of heart: the need to build a culture that puts experience and human collaboration at its center. This will take time, but it’s inevitable.

Standing in the metro station that night with Antonin marked the first of countless conversations we’ve shared over the last two years, in which neither of us referred to the other as “so French” or “so American.” We’re not so much anymore. Instead, before Antonin transferred to his next metro and I departed the station, we found a new way to punctuate the end of our conversation: with an embrace.

Who did you meet?
It’s been a great week filled with great people. I met with Christophe to shoot an interview about Vayable for an online course he’s teaching. I met with Alexandre, the former founder of a startup that used to be a competitor of ours in Paris. I attended a Sharing Economy dinner hosted by Antonin (Ouishare) and Olivier (Airbnb), where I met other local founders in the Peer Economy space, including Marion (Zilok), Paulin (Drivy) and Geoffroy (Pret d’union).

What was the biggest challenge?
I caught a bad cold that’s been going around Paris, so I had to work from home and was lower in energy than normal.

What new ideas did you have?
When I think back on our wins and losses as a business, the wins seem to almost always come from doing less with more intention. I think it can’t be a bad way to live life either. When I think about most successful entrepreneurs, this seems to be a common thread. I know that the last two years of building Vayable have certainly required this of me. It’s a good reminder to continue to apply it more granularly as you master each level of this practice.

What did you discover about yourself?
I think perhaps there’s more to gain by slowing down. The idea that speed = more = better is something I take for granted that’s quite prevalent in our culture back home. It’s not really the case here.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?
Transparency and openness with your community is truly an underrated strength for a business. In the U.S., our low tolerance for criticism and unhappiness has the insidious effect of incentivizing us to bury the truth, because it’s not always pretty. Or to tell half-truths, which can also be harmful. While I wholeheartedly believe that organizations and businesses must craft their narratives in order to build a vision and grow, it’s also essential to provide raw data and information for users or members to craft their own narratives. Transparency both necessitates as well as mandates dialogue with your users. The beautiful consequence is the opportunity to build something even greater and more sustainable and beloved product from the sum of the praises and critiques you receive by sharing with your community.

How’s the team doing?

Everyone is excited for our Community Demo Day tomorrow. In a sense, it’s the culmination of everything we’re doing. I think we’re all exhausted as well. It’s been nonstop activity for everyone while here and the stimulation of the city alone is enough to wear you out!

Nathalie | Day 14 Today was Sunday so I took a break from work...

Sat, 28 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 14

Today was Sunday so I took a break from work and went on a long stroll with Isaak. We walked all the way from our apartment in the 9eme, down the canal, through the remnants of a farmer’s market, across the bridge, through Jardin des Plantes, and to a hole in the wall cafe near Cardinal Lemoine. We also passed by some killer flea markets with beautiful antiques that reminded me of my grandmother’s 102 years’ worth of collections.

Earlier this week we also went on one of the most amazing Vayable experiences by one of our new insiders, Guillaume, who offers a really incredible food tour in Paris. His passion and deep-seated knowledge really shined through in the experience and reminded us all how much talent there is out there and how important it is for us to experience this kind of Insider knowledge and not just set off on our own, assuming we can know a city from a book. (We highly recommend Guillaume’s experience!)

Who did you meet?

For most of the day I just noodled around with Isaak. It was much needed downtime.

What interaction stood out most and why?

Later in the evening we met up with a couple that was preparing for their wedding later this week and another couple that was on their honeymoon. So we popped a bottle. Why not? Life is short.

What was the biggest challenge?

Getting my order in at L’Avant Comptoir. It’s so crowded in there!

What new ideas did you have?

Long hair + bowls of olive oils on high tables = an oily mess.

What did you discover about yourself?

I should wear a ponytail or a bun when I eat. Normally in Vietnam I get at least one grain of rice somewhere in my hair. But in Paris it’s olive oil! At least it’s good for your hair, I’ve heard.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

I must admit that today I didn’t learn anything new. It was Sunday! So I tried to let my mind rest a bit from Vayable business. That doesn’t always work, of course, because everyone’s first question is about what I’m doing here in Paris.

How’s the team doing?

I think some people are actually feeling a little lonely. Sometimes you feel the loneliest in big cities where you are constantly surrounded by people. Paris in particular might make our team feel alone because of language barriers–or maybe because it’s such a romantic place that, if you don’t have someone next to you, you really feel that absence.

"Paris isn’t a city, it’s a world."

Sat, 28 Sep 2025 14:56:00 -0700

“Paris isn’t a city, it’s a world.”

- King Francois I

Jamie | Day 13: The danger of Paris The chief danger about...

Sat, 28 Sep 2025 14:35:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 13:

The danger of Paris

The chief danger about Paris is that it is such a strong stimulant. –T.S. Eliot

I haven’t yet shared what it’s like to be responsible for all of this, for bringing 7 people away from their creature comforts, daily routines, family and all the stabilities and resources at home into something entirely unknown. In order for the pop-up headquarters to be possible, we’ve all required of one another to create pop-up lives here. We’re not a large corporation sending employees to Paris on a perk trip. We’re a startup that is relying on everyone’s scrappiness, individual contributions, flexibility and open-mindedness to make this possible. I think about this nonstop. I think about how precious time is for a startup – every tick of the clock is an opportunity to be seized. Is this the best way for us to spend our time? I could answer this before with an emphatic “YES!” because it was still theoretical. Now we’re here, in the homestretch of our experience, and I don’t think the yardsticks I was using to measure our success here was necessarily the right ones. Seizing the moment is not about doing as much as humanly possible, but making each moment as meaningful as possible. This is how we’re learning. These are our wins–when we are able to extract meaning and gain value from the moments we create. I must admit, there has not been a moment when I am not worried about the wellbeing of everyone on our team, of our community and of the health of our business. It’s a constant state of preoccupation, no matter how rapidly we’re growing or how many snags we run into – it’s always on my mind. Right now, it’s “was this a success?” I don’t think we will fully know until we return home.

Who did you meet?
I met Christophe, Romain (a friend of Christophe), several members of the OuiShare community (I can’t recall all their names), Mariel, who is an old friend from high school, and her adorable(!!) daughter Noemie and husband, Thibault. I also met several members of the sandbox community: Cristian, Joana, Timur, Nettra and Audrey.

What interaction stood out most and why?
So many this time. The evening I spent catching up with Mariel, discussing cultural differences with her and Thibault, and gawking at their beautiful and sweet daughter was a definite highlight. Also incredibly meaningful was wandering the Parisian streets with Romain, who grew up just outside of Paris. It was one of those rare, poetic days that I worry could could dilute in meaning by trying to shape a narrative of it here.

What was the biggest challenge?
Feeling lonely. I’ve never had so much concentrated social interaction with such amazing, inspiring people in my life, and yet, what comes with it is a sense of loneliness that is hard to put into words.

What new ideas did you have?
If we want to live in a world that blends work and play, then we need to be open to reconstructing how we think about monetization. Currency, after all, is just a vehicle to sharing.

Also, Paris is a feast for the eyes and a famine for the pocketbook.

What did you discover about yourself?
One of the most important things to me in life is a good conversation.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?
When we talk about a city, we’re really talking about it’s people. The beauty of Paris – the lights, the architecture, the Seine, and the scent of fresh bread—these are all human expression and signs of life, which is what makes them so magical. The Paris (or New York or Barcelona or Hong Kong) you visit is constructed from the interactions you share with the people, and the expressions of its people. Whether we’re communing with those of the past or the present, the red thread is that together with our presence, as the visitor, we are mutually enriching one another. This is the beauty of travel and of cultural exchange which makes the world such a beautiful place to live in.
How’s the team doing?
I think people are doing well overall. I think we’re getting tired and worn down, and without our usual support systems, it’s tough to know what to grasp on to. Perhaps a bottle of wine.

Nathalie | Day 12: Today the craziest thing happened. Michelle...

Thu, 26 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 12:

Today the craziest thing happened. Michelle and I were out for our morning jog before heading into a day of interviews and meetings. Near a park entrance, we saw a man with three little pugs. One of them perked its ears and trotted toward us, wagging its tail. When we squatted to pet it, the owner suddenly screamed. “Don’t you touch them!!”

Startled, I looked up. “What’s the matter? Your dog came over to say hello to us. Does it bite?”

The man softened. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I thought you two were gypsies trying to steal my dog.”

He explained himself, apologized profusely, and began making nervous small talk (“Oh, you haven’t heard of gypsies stealing dogs and selling them in Belgium? …And where are you from? …Aren’t pugs great dogs?”). All the while my heart was still beating fast. And though she could pick out words like “Belgium” and “chien,” poor Michelle had no clue why this stranger had screamed at us. The three pugs wrestled each other and crawled into our laps for a couple of awkward minutes. Then I finally stood up and told him I’d translate for Michelle his mistake. “Please tell her I’m sorry,” he said. I said I would.

Who did you meet?

Well… to be honest I met a racist dude who assumed that two brown-skinned girls jogging were gypsies trying to rob him.

What interaction stood out most and why?

The pug story obviously stood out. But to lighten things up, later today I was on the Metro headed to a meeting and I saw a little boy with plastic glasses singing softly to himself in English. He sang a “1-2-3” song the entire way from Chatelet to Republique.

What was the biggest challenge?

Finding time to eat. I skipped breakfast and then was hungry all day as we zipped around to different meetings.

What new ideas did you have?

I’m not sure why I wrote the story about the dude with the pugs. I could have written about the picnic we had under the sparkling Eiffel Tower or the champagne we popped beside Canal St. Martin. In the end, I guess I wrote about a rude encounter with a racist guy on the street because it’s so often that travelers share their glorious adventures and jealousy photos. Maybe it’s healthy to share a bit about the irritating stuff we go through as well. At least it feels more honest.

Why do so many people have this urge to make their lives (and especially their travels) seem better than reality? Even though we all know we are shaped by bad experiences as well as good, even though we know that both frequently happen, we narrate our lives so positively that–to me at least–it often seems borderline fake. I’m not sure if this is a particularly American phenomenon or if it’s something bigger than that. But this sort of autobiographical optimism has definitely taken a new life with the increase of online communication: blogs, emails, profile posts on social networks. Why post so many blurry selfies where you look better than in person? Why send out photos of an infinity pool and hot babes instead of ones where you’re rained on and sweaty?

I’m not necessarily pointing fingers–I do this too, to a certain extent. I’m just confused why our tendency to glorify our lives online–to write and post only the beautiful things about us–is so prevalent. Would it be more honest if our online lives more accurately reflected our realities?

Or would it just be more depressing?

What did you discover about yourself?

After all those deep thoughts, I realize I might be a hater.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

Everyone I’ve met with is extremely eager to learn more about connecting to travelers through online platforms. I think the common thread is that the people I’ve targeted understand first hand how enriching it is to experience a place through the people you meet there. Again, the draw is the human connection, not the money.

How’s the team doing?

Good. Happy. Fatter.

Jamie | Day 11: The French are Rubbing Off on Us A walk about...

Thu, 26 Sep 2025 02:58:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 11:

The French are Rubbing Off on Us

A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life. ― Thomas Jefferson

A couple months ago we welcomed esteemed community guru, Douglas Atkin, over to our office in San Francisco for lunch and a fireside chat about community. Douglas is famously (or infamously, depending on who you ask) known for his provocative metaphors. Communities start with “bum sniffing,” or the testing-the-waters-to-see-if-you’re-like-me stage. Then, the goal is to rub members together and make them sticky. Communities are people who bind together like glue around shared values and similarities they perceive in one another.

Regardless of taste in humor, however, most seem to listen to Douglas because his ideas work, and I’m starting to see this happen here. Our Insiders are joining in on each other’s experiences, sharing drinks, conversation and connecting both online and offline. And our members are not the only ones rubbing together and getting sticky: we are too. We all seemed to assimilate certain fashions of the French rather quickly. It’s nice to know we’re such an open-minded and flexible bunch. We’ve taken to the quart d’heure vaudois (the French rule of being 15 minutes late), like des poissons dans l’eau. We’re increasingly replacing emails with face-to-face meetings, as those good in business here do. Meals are sacred and take on a life of their own, meaning no fire in the world could tear us away from enjoying company and cuisine for as long as they’re meant to last (perhaps one hour, perhaps five). Using our smartphones in the presence of others is just plain rude. And emails? If you have more than one idea or more than several sentences in an email, it may go unanswered. Perhaps try Facebook messenger, or better yet, come find us at Mutinerie or suggest we meet for coffee. I’ve even noticed our team meetings have slowly evolved from brisk, action-oriented reports, to less structured discourse focused more on ideas and discovery than on an immediately obvious result. It’s tough to say whether this experiment in Parisian living will create long-term benefits or harm, but it’s clear that right now, there’s no turning back and we’re becoming a part of this community. This all is at once both incredible and terrifying for me. The French are rubbing off on us.

Who did you meet?

I went on the Do the Louvre in an Hour experience with Uriel and had a lovely dinner with Christophe and Guillaume at my flat.

What interaction stood out most and why?

Tonight I made dinner for two new friends: Guillaume (the guy in the top hat, founder of Djump) and Christophe (founder of Uinfoshare and a true connector). After dinner, Guillaume, Christophe and I retired to the living room for some cheese and another glass (or three) of wine.I had been telling them how I really want to improve my French. I remembered that my college French lessons classes were actually all on YouTube because we learned through the “immersive” learning program, French In Action, which aired on PBS (American public television), so I decided to find a few of the episodes and show it to Christophe and Guillaume.

I always joked about how comical this program was — in fact, it was a running joke with my roommate, Josh, and I during university that all I knew how to say in French was “Moi? Je ne vais pas a la fac!” (“Me? I’m not going to school!) or “il a un complexe parce que ses parents sont divorcés” (“He has a complex because his parents are divorced).

Turns out, this was even more ridiculous to my French and Belgian friends than I could have imagined. Not only is the series dated, but it leans heavily on ridiculous stereotypes of the French that suddenly made the light bulb go off for all of us. “This captures and explains so many of our cultural misunderstandings!” Christophe said. The series was created by a Frenchman who taught at Yale, so I always thought of it as “authentic” French. But Christophe and Guillaume didn’t care that the creator was French — they saw this as clearly American. t was produced out of Yale and aired on American Public Television. Nothing about this was authentic other than (possibly) some of the 1970s slang.

What was the biggest challenge?

Trying to figure out how to translate Celsius into Fahrenheit when baking a frittata and fish! I nearly burned dinner because apparently I had it at like 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

What new ideas did you have?

Perfecting the Insider experience on our platform is so important to delivering travelers the best experience. Nothing can replace these conversations we’re having with them and I want to make sure we keep this up even after we return home.

What did you discover about yourself?

The dining room table is my favorite place to work, wherever in the world I am.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

Travelers, Insiders, guides …everyone on our platform are truly peers, and it’s so representative of the world we’re living in, the way the economy is shifting and a new framework for thinking about services and transaction. Together we’re paving the way for a whole new way to relating to commerce.

How’s the team doing?

I think everyone has really found their groove. It’s also interesting to notice the different kinds of work environment each of us need varies by time of day or week, project and function we serve in the company. This has never been more apparent than now. Everyone seems to be having fun, going out in the evenings and discovering the city, working hard meeting Insiders, fixing bugs, and bringing the community’s ideas to life. It’s truly amazing to be a part of this.

NATHALIE | Day 10: Dream of Things That Have Never Been Last...

Wed, 25 Sep 2025 14:25:00 -0700

NATHALIE | Day 10:

Dream of Things That Have Never Been

Last year my sister, an artist, made a beautiful print that read:

Dream of Things That Have Never Been
But Someday Will Be

I was reading a lot of French philosophy at the time (Bourdieu!), so this message resonated with me. How do things emerge out of nothing and eventually become perceived as normal and everyday–both in the physical world and in our minds?

This sounds like a strange and abstract question, but really I think this is at the core of Vayable’s project here in Paris. We’re trying to build a community and business around something that, until now, has never existed before: a platform that connects travelers to insiders around the world. Not professional tour guides or operators, but regular people who have interesting insight into the place they call home.

The possibility of really nailing this, of making this kind of travel the norm, is exciting. Knowing what it’s like to explore with friends around the world, I can envision how lives will change when the masses move beyond regular travel channels. It sounds cheesy, but I think people will begin to see each other and foreign places in a deeper, richer way. At least that’s what I hope.

Who did you meet?

More potential Insiders. I had meetings all day back to back. Lots and lots of coffee–though by the end of the day I was ready for an aperitif.

What interaction stood out most and why?

For dinner Isaak and I met a group of his friends from Hanoi who were all, randomly, passing through Paris. I can’t get over how small a world it is. All lines lead back to Vietnam, even from way over here at a wine-infused dinner on Parisian cobblestones.

What was the biggest challenge?

When I met Maiu, a lovely Vietnamese-Czech girl interested in becoming an Insider, we couldn’t figure out what language to speak! We kept jumping from English to French to Vietnamese because we were so excited to meet a fellow Vietnamese. Even though she thought I was Latin at first, I think.

What new ideas did you have?

I thought a lot about how daunting it was, at the beginning, to wrap my mind around how to actually go about growing the Insider community. It’s hard to figure out strategy beforehand, at times. I have a lot of friends that get paralyzed, in a way, when they are trying something new. For better or for worse, I do my best to strategize, then just jump in and execute (adjusting my strategy along the way of course). You don’t know how to do something, but somehow your naivety grants you the courage to just jump in and try. And, in trying, you learn how.

What did you discover about yourself?

I do not like Andouillette. Pas du tout.

What ‘s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

The people who are drawn to becoming Insiders are not in it solely for the money. While it’s great to have an extra income source, most of the people eager to meet me are interested in living a life outside of traditional work structures. They want to have flexible hours so that they can pursue other passions. And they want to meet and connect with people. Half the draw, I might say, is connecting to a network of other Insiders around the world. They can share Parisian secrets and then, wherever they travel, know that they’ll have access to Insiders who have a comparable insight.

How’s the team doing?

Happy and, possibly by now, a bit fatter from all this cheese. We can’t help it. It’s not fair.

Jamie | Day 9: Past and Present There is but one Paris and...

Tue, 24 Sep 2025 12:55:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 9:

Past and Present

There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even – the French air clears up the brain and does good – a world of good. -Vincent van Gogh

I’m feeling more at home in Paris than I do back in San Francisco. That happened fast. I no longer mistake random French passers-by for my friends back at home but now see actual friends out on the street or meet up with them in the evenings after work. My days and nights are filled with rich interactions with Insiders, team members and others in the startup community. Even the moments of quiet I snag from time to time are rewarded by the view of Parisian rooftops outside my living room window, the scents of fresh bread as I pass by the corner boulangerie and most notably, the insights that surface when the chaos around me calms and I have a chance to assimilate the activities and conversations of the day in a new way, because I’m in a new place.

As a child, every relationship in my life was introduced by my family. Now, every relationship I have here is created and sustained by Vayable.To experience the fading of the line between work and play in my own life from a place known to draw one of the starkest lines between the two brings me a sense of promise and encouragement about the future of the economy and the future of global cities such as Paris.

I’m so privileged to have this opportunity to do what I truly believe is my life’s calling and to create a space where new relationships and more meaningful experiences in an age-old destination can thrive.

As I walk home at the golden hour to meet Gabe at our apartment, I think back upon other moments of my life in which I walked through the streets at this same golden hour on my way home. The memories string together like vignettes in a half-written book.

Some of my earliest memories are walking home alone as an 11-year-old in junior high, smelling the strong scent of roasting coffee while toting my blue Jansport backpack, relieved to retreat home at the end of an uninspiring day of algebra problems and Spanish oral presentations. Years later I would walk home from classes in Madrid, walking past cafes and bars where old men would sit outside with a beer and cigarette, stealing an hour of freedom before returning home to their families. Ten years ago, on the other side of Paris, I would walk home from the metro École Militaire after a long days work at a nonprofit where I assisted the president of France’s largest NGO in developing an online hunger alert system. Like the men in the streets of Madrid, I’ve always thought of this golden hour, between work and home life, as sacred moments that were mine alone, to reflect, meander and celebrate the “in-between” work and play, or public duties (school/work) and private duties (family/home).

Now, ten years later, back in the meandering streets of Paris, going home now feels different. It does not give me a sense of retreat, but rather instills in me a strong velocity of forward movement. I’m going home to meet Gabe to welcome him to our home for the next 10 days and then hop on the metro to join the rest of our team at an Insider’s home for some tapas and apéro. In my life, the line between work and play is diminishing, the way the golden hour spills into the late hours of a warm summer night in Paris.

Who did you meet?

I met Leonor and Thomas, two amazing hosts we met at an EatWith dinner.

What interaction stood out most and why?

Speaking with Leonor about living in Barcelona, why she hosts meals and discussing the balance between the idealistic (meeting new people, cultural exchange, a more equal economy) and the pragmatic (making a living in the economic reality we live in).

What was the biggest challenge?

Saying no. There was so much I wanted to do and see and people I wanted to meet today, and I just simply didn’t have the time to do it all.

What new ideas did you have?

I believe collaboration is the future of travel – everything about my experience here reinforces that. I want to ask the community what it thinks, so I decided to create a panel at our Community Demo Day event next week where we present our work to them and ask them that question. Really excited for it.

What did you discover about yourself?

When there’s good conversation, it’s impossible for me to feel tired.

What ‘s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

The word “SIMPLIFY” keeps appearing in my thoughts as if it’s a love song I have stuck in my head. This is the challenge for us right now – our product and team has a lot of benefit from simplification, and there’s nowhere like Paris to really drive home that need. :-)

How’s the team doing?

We’re all back together again, and it feels really amazing. I think everyone is discovering so much about our product and about themselves and the team, and it’s incredibly inspiring to see how much each person has really taken ownership of their own experience and is making the most of our time here. Carpe diem.

Nathalie | Day 8 I went to Belleville to meet Julien, a...

Mon, 23 Sep 2025 14:39:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 8

I went to Belleville to meet Julien, a potential Insider. Like most of our Insiders he’s an entrepreneur–spending most of his time these days as a ghostwriter and walking tour guide for university students. “I’m an artist,” he laughed. “What can I say?”

We were sitting outside of a little cafe before taking a mini tour of his neighborhood in the 19th arrondissement. Julien explained how this was area, once the outskirts of Paris, has a colorful history. It was both the site of old cinema studios and a great wine destination (Parisians used to head there on the weekends to avoid the import tax on all wines that were brought into the city proper)–with all the vices that accompany gratuitous drinking you can imagine. Now the working-class neighborhood is being gentrified.

Who did you meet?

So many potential Insiders! I met Michael from Uganda, Julien from Bellevile, Benoit from the south of France, and Nicolas from Paris.

What interaction stood out most and why?

When the waitress didn’t pay attention to us at the cafe, Julien jumped up and did a crazy dance in the doorway. “Oh!” I said. “So thaaat’s how you get the waiter’s attention in Paris.” I had been wondering about that. It does take a while sometimes to get the wait staff’s attention in restaurants.

“What was that dance for?” the waitress asked, popping her head around the corner.

“It was to tell you that we’re here and that we miss you,” Julien said.

She laughed and took our orders.

What was the biggest challenge?

To be honest, it’s been hard to balance all of the work that I normally do (operations, finances, payments). I go out to recruit and meet Insiders all day (which is lovely!), but then have to catch up on everything else at night.

What new ideas did you have?

I thought about Marx, randomly. Julien was telling me about the history of the commune and the revolution–and we got to talking about Marx’s “The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon.” My new idea is that it would be amazing to read that article here in Paris. Maybe for all the nerds out there I’ll make a literary itinerary based on reading literature in the places where it’s most relevant.

What did you discover about yourself?

I can walk 12 miles and not notice.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

The community goes in both directions. I can see all these potential Insiders being travelers just as I can see them being Insiders. That’s what’s great. The value isn’t just the payment you get–but the community of Insiders you get access to when you pack your bags and go.

How’s the team doing?

We’re (almost) finally together! Eskil arrived this afternoon.

Jamie | Day 7: On Innovation and Lonliness The problem with...

Sun, 22 Sep 2025 14:45:00 -0700

Jamie | Day 7:

On Innovation and Lonliness

The problem with the French is that they don’t have a word for entrepreneur. -George W. Bush

I met Guillaume outside of a bar where one of the co-founders of OuiShare, Benjamin, was a spinning a party. When our mutual friend, Arthur, introduced us, Guillaume wouldn’t crack a smile or a warm hello, he just seemed skeptical and answered my question with a matter-of-fact monotone that signaled to me he had no interest in my bullshit smalltalk. But as our conversation progressed into more complex topics, such as his motivations for building a new makers space in Paris and the economics of the collective, a smile lifted on his face and his voice became more animated. I discovered that he’s Sephardic, so we bonded over our heritage (I’m Ashkenazi). He is pouring his heart and soul into creating something out of nothing (a Makers Space) because he believes in living a meaningful life and that this endeavor is a vehicle to get him there. I could relate.

We started talking about community and loneliness. This seems to be a common theme here in Paris – this (yes, another) tension between solitude and collaboration. And when I think about it further, loneliness seems to be the impetus for so many innovators I meet, regardless of where they’re from, as the products and organizations they build so often seem to be an antidote to their loneliness And the irony – or perhaps, poetry– in it all, is that the communities we build with so much passion and fervor, have the power to bring much meaning and satisfaction and even company into our lives, but fundamentally do very little to change our inevitable condition of being alone. At one point, interrupting a “seven-minute-silence,” Guillaume said the following:

The more lonely you are
The more you know about yourself
The more truthful you are
The more people believe you
The more you sell your book.

Hearing these words come out of the mouth of the founder of Paris’ newest maker space not only made me laugh, but it made me feel less alone. How silly to think that any individual’s condition alone can impact our destiny. It’s ultimately up to the community, or the market.

Who did you meet?

I met Julien, the founder of Holidog. We chatted sharing and the future of travel over a Perrier and coke. I spent the evening before with Arthur, Diana and Christopher at a bar where Benjamin from Ouishare was spinning.

What interaction stood out most and why?

The conversation I had with Guillaume left an imprint on my mind.

What was the biggest challenge?

Staying in. I am staying in a beautiful apartment and had a lot of work that required me to be on my computer. It was a cold and dark Sunday, so actually a good day to stay cozy inside.

What new ideas did you have?

Maybe one day I’ll move back here and host Vayable experiences as an Insider.

What did you discover about yourself?

I don’t take enough time to read books and I would like to.

What ‘s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

Everyday the opportunity seems to get greater.

How’s the team doing?

I think everyone got their party on this weekend, so good!

Nathalie | Day 6: Secrets on Parisian Rooftops We spent the...

Sat, 21 Sep 2025 14:40:00 -0700

Nathalie | Day 6:

Secrets on Parisian Rooftops

We spent the afternoon on Sarah’s custom shopping tour. I have to admit: I am not a shopper. I can tell if something is nicely made, but really don’t recognize most fancy brand names. I still wanted to go on this experience with Sarah, though, because she is one of our most important Insiders–and we wanted to pick her brain about how working with Vayable has been for her.

We met at Cafe Pure, where we started our adventure with a noisette (espresso with a drop of milk) and a celebrity sighting (Ines de la Fressange, a former supermodel who just published a book on the fashion industry).

That's Ines de la Fressange behind Sarah!

For the rest of the day, Michelle was blissfully in her element–eyeing the newest designs by Isabelle Marant and Vanessa Bruno. I picked up what I could and learned the term for window shopping: lèche-vitrine (or literally “licking the window). I did a lot of that.

Who did you meet?

Sarah, one of our top Insiders not only in Paris, but also in the world.

What interaction stood out most and why?

I loved where we ended up at the end of the day. Talk about Insider knowledge!

Sarah led us to this out of the way street in the 20eme, where we stopped at the entrance of a regular-looking residential building. There were no signs. We walked in, got in an elevator, and took it to the very top to a stunning rooftop bar. It was probably the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in Paris so far. So many beautiful Parisian chimneys, Montmartre in the background, and lovely chairs nestled around potted garden plants. It was the opening night of the rooftop bar and restaurant–which was so new and secret that it doesn’t even have a name yet. In between sips of rosé, we tried to take a surreptitious photo here and there.

What was the biggest challenge?

Finding the secret rooftop!

What new ideas did you have?

Remember when we first arrived and I wrote about meeting that handsome American waiter? Small world! At dinner we realized that my boyfriend Isaak is friends with him–years ago they lived together in Paris for a week. Our new idea is to show up with Isaak at the restaurant and surprise the waiter.

What did you discover about yourself?

Well, to be honest I still don’t like shopping very much. I love walking around and exploring Paris, but being in stores tires me out. I always end up sitting on those little couches with the husbands holding their wives’ shopping bags.

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

The challenge is that we’re building a business based on Insider knowledge, which is something that is extremely hard to commodify. The experience we had with Sarah at all her favorite shops and then the secret rooftop–how can we put a price on that? There’s something deeper there than just a financial exchange. If Sarah hadn’t liked us, for example, then would she have brought us to such special places? Maybe we would have just ended up at a run of the mill brasserie instead.

How’s the team doing?

I think everyone’s still happy and excited about the discovery part of our journey, but eager to reconnect to the rest of our team who arrive on Monday and Tuesday. Then we can finally be a whole family again!