Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Larkin.
Hi Rachel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Rachel Larkin, and I am a published travel writer and the founder of The Real Bonne Vivante. The Real Bonne Vivante is a travel and lifestyle brand that highlights topics on remote destinations, slow travel, and boutique places to stay. Each month, we enable an audience of over 19,000 discerning travelers to reach far-flung locations around the world, offering in-depth travel itineraries, curated travel products, and inspiring editorial photography.
My story began growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, where I found a passion for art, writing, and spending time in nature. I pursued a career in the creative industry, first earning a degree in Product Design at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Since then, I went on to work in New York City and later Miami, producing award-winning work as the Principal Creative Director of a highly respected marketing agency.
I have always been interested in travel from a young age, but for most of my professional life, I used trips to refuel my creativity, reset from stress, and think of new ideas to bring the client’s visions to life. I loved experiencing new cultures, talking to new people, and seeing the world through an entirely different lens. Countless trips inspired most of my work over the years, yet I always understood my vision would ultimately be filtered through whatever brand I was working with.
On one trip, I stumbled across a book about “ikigai,” the Japanese concept that means your “reason for being.” In ikigai, your life purpose should culminate in four things:
What you love.
What you’re good at.
What you can be paid for.
What the world needs.
The last one was the missing puzzle piece for years. How was I giving back, how was I being a better person, and how was I making the world a better place? For me, the answer was empowering others to travel off the beaten path for deeper, intentional, and more fulfilling experiences through slow travel.
So, in my free time, I started a modest blog sharing travel stories, some photography, and a shortlist of actionable recommendations. Four years later, The Real Bonne Vivante has completely evolved into a full-fledged travel and lifestyle brand with tens of thousands of readers each month following along. I also contribute to magazines as a published travel writer on a mission to educate people about places rarely traveled and to elevate voices that are often overshadowed by mass tourism. I’ll put a new spin on a city or region that even seasoned travelers haven’t experienced. That’s where my articles’ topics about slow travel, responsible tourism, and sustainability are central themes.
Regarding giving back, The Real Bonne Vivante proudly plants one tree for every affiliate product sold. We only work with sustainable brands that align with our ethos, and we actively partner with local organizations to give back to communities, wildlife, or environmental causes for each destination we cover.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a successful business isn’t always linear. It certainly never looks as easy as it seems from the outside in. Most, if not all, entrepreneurs can relate to that. Making any dream successful takes courage, fearlessness, and hard-earned grit.
A considerable obstacle I overcame was reconfiguring my schedule and optimizing my time. For a long time, I worked 80-hour work weeks between my full-time job at the agency and growing the brand. It was a grueling and exhausting period that tested my perseverance and work ethic — beginning long before I saw results or notable earnings. Reading the book The 5 am Club was the secret key that unlocked my productivity to step into the next level. We all have the same 24 hours as the most successful people in history. It’s all about how you structure your day to your advantage to make the most impact.
The other challenge I’m continuously working on is flexibility and open-mindedness when traveling. Nowadays, I’ll typically have assignments with magazines on various topics, but also an entirely separate editorial calendar I need to produce for The Real Bonne Vivante for upcoming campaigns. There are days when travel plans don’t work out, core logistics need to change, or someplace I thought would be a great story falls flat. You always need to deliver, but it’s about striking a balance roll with the punches without losing the joy of travel.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Real Bonne Vivante?
The Real Bonne Vivante empowers its readers to travel off the beaten path. Each month, we highlight a new destination around the world through the lens of slow travel, responsible tourism, and sustainable practices. We equip our readers with in-depth getaway guides, recommendations on where to eat, sleep, and play, and ways to give back to those communities.
The Real Bonne Vivante also recently started offering tailor-made travel itineraries. You’ll have access to a turnkey guide of tried-and-true places and our best contacts in those regions built around your travel plans and preferences.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Meditation completely changed my perspective on life and business. It’s a non-negotiable for how I start and end my day. At first, I used it as a tool to deal with stress and burnout, but eventually, over time, I’ve cultivated a space where I can escape to think, dream, and see things from a higher perspective. As a company leader, you must have a close relationship with yourself, your vision, and clarity when making decisions.
I also do not say this enough to the people who have made the most significant impact, but the support of loved ones has made a huge difference. I am very grateful for those who have only believed in me and encouraged me along this journey. I could have never made it this far without all of your advice, support, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therealbonnevivante.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbonnevivante
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealbonnevivante
