Award-winning travel influencer Jeff Jenkins shares his story of growing up in Orlando, Florida, attending Florida A&M University, and embarking on his world travels with his first international trip to Japan. 35 countries later he reflects back on the beginning of his travel journey, and how a life-changing trip to Rwanda inspired him to quit his job and become a full-time travel influencer. Jeff talks about the non-profit he founded to build water wells in Rwanda, and reflects on what has inspired him to continue traveling the world. He then talks about his entrepreneurial journey and founding his brand “Chubby Diaries” to empower plus-size people to travel the world. He explains how plus-size travelers are an underserved niche, and he provides specific tips and hacks for plus-size people to travel the world and life their life to the fullest right now. He also talks about how he monetizes his brand, explain what his primary sources of income are, and describes how he has pivoted during the pandemic and had his best business year yet in 2020. Jeff then shares his “budget travel” hacks and techniques for traveling the world on much less money than most people think is possible. He also talks about co-founding the Black Travel Alliance and explains their mission of holding the travel industry accountable for their lack of diversity. Jeff then shares his tips specifically for Black travelers at the earlier stage of their world travel journey. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
Episode #112: Empowering Plus-Size People to Travel the World and Co-Founding the Black Travel Alliance with Jeff Jenkins
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Jeff Jenkins
Jeff Jenkins is an award-winning content creator, speaker, philanthropist and travel influencer. He is the founder of ChubbyDiaries.com, an online community that encourages and motivates plus-size people to travel the world and live life now. Jeff is also the Chairperson of The Black Travel Alliance, whose mission is to support content creators of color and hold travel brands accountable for their lack of diversity within the travel industry. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Jeff has now traveled to over 35 countries and was awarded the “Best in Travel 2021 Diversity Inclusion Award” by Lonely Planet. Jeff is also the founder of an umbrella non-profit that builds water wells in Rwanda. He has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Travel and Leisure, the New York Times, USA Today and many other publications.
What You'll Learn
- Tips for Plus-Size Travelers to See the World and Live Life to the Fullest
- Tips for Black Travelers at the Early Stage of their World Travel Journey
- “Budget Travel” Hacks for Seeing the World on The Cheap
Links From the Episode
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LOCATION WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
UNIVERSITY JEFF ATTENDED
CHECK OUT THE BLACK TRAVEL ALLIANCE THAT JEFF CO-FOUNDED
#1 BOOK THAT JEFF RECOMMENDS
#1 PERSON WITH WHOM JEFF WANTS TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 GABBY’S TOP 3 DESTINATIONS
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
JEFF’s TOP 5 HIP HOP MC’S OF ALL TIME
CONTACT JEFF
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[2:58]: Growing up in Orlando
[4:26]: Attending Florida A&M University
- Why attending FAMU was lifechanging
- The significance of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Common HBCU Traditions
[7:24]: Jeff’s First International Trip to Japan
- Why Japan is Jeff’s favorite country
- What Jeff loves about Okinawa
[11:25]: Jeff’s Life-Changing Trip to Rwanda
- Jeff’s impression going to his first African country
- Integrating into Rwandan culture and customs
- Founding a water-well-building project in Rwanda
- Serving on an East African Energy Solutions board[13:58]: Jeff’s “Budget Travel” Hacks
- Allowing the best travel deals to determine where you go
- Using credit card points to get free or cheap flights
- Staying in private rooms at hostels[15:54]: Founding “Chubby Diaries” to Empower Plus-Size People to Travel the World
- Deciding to leave his job and become a full time travel blogger
- Selecting the “plus-size travel” niche
- Navigating the challenges specific to plus-size world travelers
- Jeff’s top tips for plus-size travelers
- Jeff’s experience shark-diving in South Africa
[24:44]: Jeff’s Entrepreneurial Transition
- Learning how to build a business
- Becoming a travel influencer and getting corporate sponsorships
- Organizing international trips
[27:20]: Jeff’s Business Pivots During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- How Jeff made 2020 his best business year today
[29:28]: Co-Founding the Black Travel Alliance
- Holding travel brands accountable for their lack of diversity
- Supporting Black content creators
[32:24]: Jeff’s Top Tips for Black Travelers
[33:58]: How Jeff Designs his Lifestyle
- How Jeff chooses where to go and how long to stay
[35:53]: What Travel Means to Jeff
[37:14]: THE LIGHTNING ROUND
- #1 Book Jeff Recommends
- #1 Person with whom Jeff would most like to have dinner
- #1 Piece of advice Jeff would give to his 18-year old self
- Top 3 Favorite Travel Destinations
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations
- Top 5 Hip Hop MCs of All Time
[44:02]: CONTACT AND FOLLOW JEFF
