Hello from the East Coast! There are so many life updates I need to give you and don’t worry; they’re coming! But, for now, I want to talk about Grabr because this SF-based startup has been a big part of my life for the past year. Grabr is a new platform that connects shoppers seeking unique or hard-to-find goods around the world (think fresh macarons from Paris or hand-made jewelry from Medellin) with travelers that are heading their way. In short, it’s one person helping another while you shop the globe.

I’ve been on team Grabr since last December but only recently stepped up as their Content Director and to help spread my enthusiasm, I’ve put together 5 reasons why Grabr will transform the way you travel.

1) You get to see the world

I’ll start off with the most obvious perk; you get to travel! Now that I’m heading up content at Grabr, I know for a fact that there are ample grabs waiting to be delivered to key cities—Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Lima to name a few. For many people, myself included, the biggest expense of an international trip is the flight. While much of my travel these days is business related, there was definitely a time in the not so distant past where I simply could not scrounge up the money to purchase a ticket. Part of me wishes that Grabr existed 5+ years ago when I was starting Bohemian Trails. Having that extra revenue stream would have really helped me not only travel, but invest in resources to get my blog off the ground.

2) You have access to gorgeous products

Having lived in Hong Kong late last year, I know first-hand the frustrations of shopping for your favorite products back home. As well connected a city like Hong Kong is, I often had to go to what my friends called “the Amazon of HK” to get basic goods I could have easily ordered from New York. The other thing to remember is that even if a product does ship around the world, you’ll need to pay the shipping, which is sometimes more than the item itself. For my Boho-Chic New York collection, I pulled together some of my favorite local items around the city. Sure, some of these independent designers do ship across the globe, but many don’t and in these instances, Grabr comes to the rescue.

3) You have an instant community

Even as an introvert who has no trouble staying in on a Friday night listening to audio books (yes, I really do this sometimes!) I can’t express the importance of community as a traveler. Whether I’m traveling solo or with my best friend, I always crave connections to my new surroundings, and people are often the best “representatives” of their countries. Although Grabr’s primary focus is to connect shoppers with travelers who can deliver their items, the exchange goes both ways. Many times, shoppers end up being unofficial tour guides to the travelers, offering tips on where to eat the best chocolate in town or how to use the metro. I think of this as a bonus, as I’m always eager to live like the locals.

4) You’re ‘paying it forward’

At first glance, Grabr might just seem like a shopping site but there’s a lot more to the concept that meets the eye. The more I use Grabr and observe user trends, the more I learn about realities of the world. For me, a limited-edition fedora or Korean beauty products are items I’d consider buying. Neither hats nor cosmetics are in any sense a “must.” They are more “wants.” That said, a lot of people are using Grabr to get medicines they can’t get otherwise. Others have ordered what I’d consider basic, everyday items like bedding because it would cost them double in their home country. Sure, Grabr is by no means a charity but it’s nice to know that people are using the platform to enhance their quality of life.

5) You literally get paid to travel

I can’t tell you the number of times people say things like “you are so lucky” to travel the world. On one hand, I know they are right and on the other, I like to think that hard work and the occasional sacrifice has a little to do with it, too. I alluded to this earlier, but running a blog and growing a brand is no easy task, and sometimes I really have to remember why I push myself so hard. It always comes down to my love of travel. In many ways, Grabr is a way to see the world without making it your job. Now is the perfect time to give it a try, especially because there are lots of unclaimed orders, which translates to a good chunk of change in traveler rewards. If I’m lucky to travel, then you should be too!

What’s your dream destination of the moment? Tell me in the comments below!

This post is in collaboration with Grabr, where I serve as Content Director. All opinions are my own. 

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