Black-owned travel products to help you fly smarter
and a little bit about my upcoming trip to Oaxaca
TL;DR
Sneak peek into my upcoming trip to Oaxaca, Mexico
Black woman-owned travel businesses
Calling all WOC owned beauty brands (it’s your time to shine!)
Tomorrow I’m dropping 2 more questionnaires in the newsletter
Sneak peek into my upcoming trip to Oaxaca, Mexico
I literally just got back from California for my Food & Wine article (which my editors loved and should be officially dropping shortly yay!) and I’m already heading back to the airport to write about mezcal in Oaxaca. I’ll be there for a little over a week visiting different agave farms and tasting obscene amounts of locally made mezcal and learning about the history of this spirit. Honestly, I’m amazed that this is my job…like…it sounds less and less real every day. While I’ll be near Oaxaca City, I’ve heard that the city center is pretty much all Americans and Europeans so all the locals have been forced to move to the outskirts of town so that’s where I’ll be staying with a colleague. They’re born and raised in Oaxaca and they’ve opened their family home to me for the time I’m there (I’m def paying them for my time because they’re so sweet) and they have an Airbnb that they’re open to me sharing after I return but more on that later.
As a travel writer, I thought it was only appropriate for me to share a few Black woman owned travel businesses so let’s dive in!
Black woman-owned travel businesses
Youmie Jean Francois Founder/Ceo of Flex-N-Fly
What is your business about, as it relates to travel?
Flex-N-Fly is a travel wellness company that provides stretching, yoga, and relaxation classes to traveler's before they board their flights in airports. Our desire is to take care of traveler's mental health who suffer from anxiety. We also sell minimalist travel products. Our best-selling anti-theft minimalist travel belt bag was chosen as Forbes top 14 sling bag.
How did you start your business? What's the story behind it?
I started Flex-N-Fly because of my love of travel. I noticed that many people had anxiety at the airport and there wasn't a wellness option for those that travel. I wanted to be the solution. In 2018, I started my process and this year we’re opening at 2 different airports.
What's your favorite travel hack that you can share with the HTA readers?
Always dry-brush your body before you get on a flight. It increases circulation and detoxifies your body.
Where can we find you? Website? Socials? Etc.
theflexbags.com | @flexnflyofficial on IG | @flexnfly on Tiktok
DISCOUNTS:
We have an affiliated program that people can sign up to and make money on sharing our products.
Kenya Adams, Inventor & CEO
What is your business about, as it relates to travel?
PantyBuddy has all the essentials needed to use public restrooms. The PantyBuddy is a wristlet that comes with an emergency supply of toilet paper, toilet seat covers, hand sanitizing wipes, and a panty-protecting strap. The strap allows panties/pants to be pulled away from the toilet seat as you squat or sit, so women can rest a little easier the next time they venture into an unclean stall. Regardless of the restroom conditions, you are always prepared with the PantyBuddy. PantyBuddy is the perfect travel companion for using airport restrooms and airplane lavatories, and is a travel must-have for all women.
How did you start your business? What's the story behind it?
My name is Kenya Adams and I am the inventor of the PantyBuddy. I am so excited to introduce you to my idea that was born out of pure necessity. I don't typically consider myself to be a germaphobe, but whenever I use a public restroom I become completely obsessed with avoiding germs. I do not want to make any contact with the toilet or anything else in there. I want to get in and get out as safely as possible, but I often find that I am struggling to do so when faced with some restroom conditions.
Over the years, I have often wished I had an extra hand to help me in the restroom. After a few months of unsuccessfully searching for a solution, I decided to create the solution. And that's how the idea of PantyBuddy was born!
What's your favorite travel hack that you can share with the HTA readers?
Whether traveling internationally or domestically, I always book early morning direct flights. Flying the first thing in the morning, and flying direct, always saves me the extra hassle of missing a connecting flight, experiencing delays, etc. I also carry my PantyBuddy on all flights because using the small, airplane lavatories can be tricky.
Where can we find you? Website? Socials? Etc.
@pantybuddy on all social media sites
DISCOUNTS
Free Shipping when you enter code PBSHIPFREE at checkout
Calling all WOC owned beauty brands (it’s your time to shine!)
Monday on instagram I opened up submissions for beauty brands owned by women of color to be featured this month in my newsletter! While this newsletter will always be a place that highlights the achievements of Black women, I want to also create space for other marginalized women who are trying their best but need a little help reaching new audiences. The questionnaire should only take about 5-ish minutes to fill out (or longer, depending on how much you want to add). So which that being said, if you are a:
Woman of color who
Owns a small business in the beauty industry (makeup, skincare, nails, fragrances, etc.)
➡️ Fill out this form ⬅️
Tomorrow I’m dropping 2 more questionnaires in the newsletter
One is for jewelry and accessory makers
Another is for clothing designers
I’ll share those links on the free newsletter next week (if there’s any room left)
lil bonus
To close, here are two TikToks that made me smile this week:
First is starring my husband, Hasan Minhaj
Next is a big sister teaching her little brother life skills
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
- Shayna