We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Rojo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.
Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.
At The Real Bonne Vivante, our passion for travel goes beyond exploration—it’s about leaving a positive impact on the places we visit. I’m Rachel Larkin, the founder of The Real Bonne Vivante, and I believe that responsible travel means more than just seeing the world; it’s about giving back.
Donating a percentage of sales is one way we align our values with action. Supporting environmental and climate initiatives, as well as community-driven philanthropy, is central to our mission. For every destination we cover, we actively seek out local individuals, businesses, or organizations that could benefit from funding, focusing on those who directly impact their communities. This approach allows us to connect with people on the ground, hear their stories, and understand the positive changes they are driving. Through these personal connections, we aim to make a meaningful and lasting difference.
In the past, we’ve directed a portion of our sales to JaguarID, an organization dedicated to the conservation of jaguars and their natural habitats in the Pantanal, as well as Junglekeepers, which works tirelessly to protect and preserve vulnerable areas of the Amazon Rainforest. Junglekeepers focus on safeguarding the forest through patrolling, reforestation, and education, aiming to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from its rich biodiversity. Additionally, we invite our audiences to participate in these efforts and proudly match any donation contributions they make, amplifying the impact of our collective support. Beyond these efforts, we have contributed to grassroots organizations and privately owned farms in developing regions, such as coffee and cocoa farms in South America, with a focus on supporting sustainable tourism and creating enriching experiences that align with our broader commitment to slow and mindful travel.
At a company level, we plant one tree for every product and affiliate product sold through The Real Bonne Vivante, and to date, we have proudly planted thousands of trees. This ongoing effort is a small but meaningful way to give back to the planet while encouraging our community to be more conscious travelers.
Recognizing the impact that travel can have on the environment, we also take responsibility for our own carbon footprint. For every trip, we calculate and offset our travel-related carbon emissions, ensuring that our commitment to sustainability extends beyond words and is reflected in our actions.
Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The Real Bonne Vivante is more than a travel and lifestyle brand—it’s a community for discerning travelers seeking deeper, more meaningful experiences. We specialize in slow travel, sustainable tourism, and immersive storytelling, offering curated travel guides, custom itineraries, and editorial content that celebrates off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Our journey began with a desire to transform the way people see travel. In an age of fast-paced tourism, we noticed that many travelers rush through destinations without ever truly connecting to the culture, people, or environment. We wanted to offer an alternative—a way for travelers to immerse themselves in the essence of a place, moving at a slower pace and engaging more intentionally with their surroundings. While slow travel isn’t a new concept, we believe it’s more relevant than ever, offering travelers a chance to reconnect with the world in a deeper, more enriching way.
At The Real Bonne Vivante, we create experiences that prioritize quality over quantity. From tailored itineraries that reveal hidden local gems to custom content that highlights the stories behind the destinations, we focus on providing our audience with the tools to make travel both enriching and responsible. We cater to clients looking for elevated experiences with a conscience—travelers who care about leaving a positive impact on the places they visit, from respecting cultural heritage to supporting small businesses and eco-friendly practices.
Our commitment to sustainable travel sets us apart. We have a deep respect for the environments and communities we feature, taking time to research and partner with local businesses, guides, and artisans. This ensures our clients have authentic interactions that benefit the communities they explore. Our offerings range from exclusive travel guides to custom trip-planning services. But our true strength lies in the stories we tell—whether through beautifully crafted photography, video content, or written articles. These stories are designed to inspire wanderlust while encouraging a deeper appreciation for the world’s cultures and landscapes.
As the founder, what makes me most proud is the positive impact The Real Bonne Vivante has had on both travelers and the communities we feature. To date, we’ve partnered with several conservation groups and have planted thousands of trees through our product sales. We believe that travel should be more than just seeing new places; it should be about fostering connections, promoting sustainability, and creating memories that last a lifetime. With The Real Bonne Vivante, you’re not just booking a trip or reading a guide; you’re joining a movement that values the art of travel, the importance of sustainability, and the beauty of connecting deeply with the world around us.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Our story began with a shared passion for adventure and exploration. My fiancé, Estiven Rojo, and I met in Miami, Florida, in 2018, and travel quickly became a cornerstone of our relationship. It was something deeply embedded in both of our lives even before we met—something that naturally brought us closer. I had completed my first continuous trip around the world before turning 21, traveling solo across continents and meeting up with friends during various legs of my journey while on summer breaks from college; with the modest amount of money I saved up through working several part-time jobs while I wasn’t in school. Estiven, having immigrated from Medellín, Colombia, at a young age and later studying law in London, had a similar appreciation for exploring new cultures and different walks of life. Travel truly became our shared love language.
As we explored the world together, we found ourselves most drawn to remote destinations—places that had retained their cultural and environmental authenticity, untouched by the pressures of mass tourism. What began as a hobby with a rented camera and a few travel recommendations quickly grew into something much bigger. Our travels became a way to delve deeply into the stories of the places we visited, and we found ourselves fascinated by the people and local traditions that are often overlooked by traditional tourism.
The more we traveled, the more we realized how important it was to us to give back to these places—to support the people who welcomed us so warmly into their communities and shared their world with us. We became passionate about supporting local economies through responsible tourism, from promoting family-run lodges to highlighting the craftsmanship of artisans in small villages. We believed that travel should be a force for good, not just a way to see the world, but to help sustain the cultures and ecosystems that make each destination unique.
This desire to blend our love for travel with a mission of positive impact became the foundation for The Real Bonne Vivante. It’s more than just a platform for sharing beautiful destinations; it’s a community built on the idea that travel can be transformative—both for those who venture out and for the communities they encounter. Today, we continue to travel together, seeking out stories that deserve to be told and places that deserve to be preserved. And while we still cherish those intimate moments exploring new corners of the world as a couple, our greatest joy now comes from knowing that our work is helping others experience the magic of travel in a more meaningful way.
Ultimately, our story is about two people who found each other through a mutual love of adventure and turned that love into a shared mission. Together, we’ve built a business that celebrates the spirit of discovery and the beauty of connection—one journey at a time.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe a combination of authenticity, a commitment to quality, and a deep understanding of what travelers truly value has been key in building our reputation with The Real Bonne Vivante. From the start, we focused on offering more than just travel guides—we aimed to create content that inspires a sense of connection to the places we visit, emphasizing slow, sustainable travel. We always strive to go beyond the typical tourist experience and dig into the local culture, hidden gems, and authentic stories of a destination.
Consistency has also played a significant role. Whether it’s through in-depth guides, thoughtfully curated itineraries, or striking editorial photography, we prioritize providing value in every piece of content we produce. We’ve built trust with our audience by being transparent about our experiences—highlighting both the magic of travel and the challenges that come with it. Additionally, our focus on sustainability and responsible travel has resonated with a growing audience that seeks to explore the world while making a positive impact.
Lastly, forming genuine connections with local communities and collaborating with like-minded brands has helped solidify our place in the market. These partnerships have allowed us to bring our audience unique perspectives and experiences that they might not find elsewhere, positioning The Real Bonne Vivante as a trusted source in the travel space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://therealbonnevivante.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbonnevivante
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealbonnevivante
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-real-bonne-vivante
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealbonnevivante
