Show Notes
In Episode 20 of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Jessica Blotter, the Co-founder and CEO of Kind Traveler on creating the first ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform that allows travelers to give back with every stay.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jessica Blotter is CEO, Co-Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of
Kind Traveler, a journalist, speaker, and advocate for the greater good. The moment she discovered that the love of travel can't be separated from the state of the world on a trip to Belize in 2012, her journey to create Kind Traveler began. Blotter led research and development of the Kind Traveler brand and business model, and now leads the team in offering a meaningful way for purpose-driven travelers to benefit both local and global communities. Travelers 'give' to a local or global charity; as reward for their donation, they 'get' an exclusive rate to book directly with the world’s best hotels and unique properties. 100% of the donations raised on the Kind Traveler platform are given to charity.
Her career began as an earth science and math teacher with UCSD's Pruess School, a unique charter school for low income students who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college, educating 130 students each day. She then spent 10 years as an Associate Publisher and Advertising Director with popular print & digital fashion and lifestyle magazine start-ups including
944 Magazine and
Foam Magazine in San Diego and Los Angeles. Her entrepreneurial journey began as the five-year Principal of LA-based brand consultancy, Publicly Loved, where her clients included luxury real estate moguls like CIM Group and Marriott Hotels.
With a heart for travel, sustainability, social impact, and animal welfare, she has contributed as a journalist to Fast Company, CBS Los Angeles, Hospitality Design, One Green Planet, Green Lodging News, CEO.com, Spa Finder, Examiner, Destination Luxury, Darling Magazine, and the BLLA (Boutique Lodging & Lifestyle Association).
As a speaker, she’s presented on the stages of TEDx and regular contributes as a panelist with various professional hospitality associations and events including the Travel & Adventure Show, Lodging Magazine’s Green Lodging Conference, the Enlightened Entrepreneur Summit, and the Boutique Lodging Association’s annual leadership summit.
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What is Disruptors for GOOD | Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises?
Disruptors for GOOD explores social entrepreneurship and social enterprises around the world who have dedicated their lives to ethical fashion, impact investing, climate change, sustainable travel, and businesses that impact the world in a positive way. The founder of Causeartist, Grant Trahant, does one-on-one interviews with some of the most creative and impactful startups and brands around the world.