All posts by Drew Meyers

Drew Meyers is the co-founder of Horizon & Oh Hey World. He worked for Zillow from September of 2005 to January of 2010 on the marketing team managing Zillow’s API program and various online partnerships. Founder of Geek Estate Blog, a multi-author blog focused on real estate technology for real estate professionals, and myKRO.org, a blog devoted to exploring the world of microfinance. As passionate as you get about travel.

Oh Hey World Updates

Oh Hey World is In Limited BETA

March 14, 2013 Drew Meyers Leave a comment

OHWicon We’ve been building Oh Hey World since August, and I’ve been working on the concept since last February. As any tech entrepreneur knows, that process has been a whirlwind full of ups and downs, and a bit of a scramble at the end to push version one of the product over the finish line.

Now that we’re in a public beta, I wanted to give a further details regarding exactly what features are included in version one….

We’re offering travelers four primary features to help get the most out of your network:

1. The easiest way to share your safe arrival with those who care

Our platform updates your location on Facebook, Twitter, and sends a text or email to your parents, significant other, or close friends. Heck, for those using WordPress.org, it even updates your travel blog via our WordPress plugin. Want to check-in, but not broadcast your location to the world (or anyone)? We offer “private check-ins” which allow you use all our features — without anyone knowing where you are.

2. One view with the current location of everyone you care about

You care where close friends and family are, all the time. You care where some people are – friends, loose travel connections, and business contacts – some of the time. If they are traveling nearby to the city you live in or you are both traveling to the same city at the same time, you want to know. We bring all those people into one central location.

3. A discovery engine for those who share passions and experiences

For those who share passions such as microfinance, travel experiences such as Mount Kilimanjaro, or are involved with the same non profits (Kiva) – you’d go a bit out of your way to meet, particularly in a foreign country where you’re looking for a friendly face. For instance, you can browse all the travel bloggers on the site and see those who match that tag nearby on your post check-in screen. Any passion or experience where you’d go a little bit out of your way to have a coffee, drinks or meal – is one that should be listed on your profile.

4. Traveler lists

At a high level, we want to help you spend your in person time with people who matter. Our goal is to give you as much flexibility as possible when organizing your connections around geography or interest. Add your contacts to lists to better track where your various types of contacts currently are. If you’re like me, you have contacts spread out over various industries – and want to know where they are at different times, in different scenarios. I shouldn’t have to sort through all my contacts just to find the locations of those interested in microfinance.

Summary

In its current form, Oh Hey World is the easiest way to share your safe arrival with friends and family. That said, it’s focus on connecting with friendly faces nearby makes it most useful to the budget backpacker and long term round the world traveler segments — or anyone who travels frequently with social intent. That said, the current product is step one in our larger vision to turn the moment you arrive in a new destination from the current mess it is today to a seamless experience driven from the palm of your hand.

TRY OH HEY WORLD NOW (100 registrations)

For those already using the site – what current features are useful to you? Which ones are useless? We of course have a couple ideas of our own, but we really want to know what features you want to see next — so let us know via our feedback form. As unlikely as it is you find a bug, tell us that too.

Happy traveling!

Drew Meyers

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Oh Hey World Updates

Welcome Shannon O’Donnell to Oh Hey World

March 3, 2013 Drew Meyers 3 Comments

shannon_odonnell_rtw_travel I’d like to formally welcome Shannon O’Donnell to the Oh Hey World team in a full time capacity as our Director of Community and Giving (she started as one of our advisors). She’ll be managing our community and giving efforts – both of which you’ll hear more about in the months to come – as we push our yet-to-be released product to a broader public audience (to get in ahead of the crowd, sign up for our BETA list). I’ll leave it to her to explain more details in another blog post.

Formally an actress and web-nerd, she left in 2008 to travel solo, volunteer, and hunt down delicious vegetarian eats all over the world. Shannon and I met in Chiang Mai early last year while she was traversing Southeast Asia with her 11-year-old niece for 7 months (& home schooling Anna along the way) and I was trying to figure out the next step in my life. From the moment I met her, I knew she was a “good egg” (a saying I picked up from her friend Jodi while in Chiang Mai). Her passion for giving back to others is obvious — the fact that she is a published author of the Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook and created GrassrootsVolunteering.org on her own time is proof. I just read a post yesterday by Venture Capitalist Chris Dixon titled “What the smartest people do on the weekend is what everyone else will do during the week in ten years” — and I’m excited that smart people like Shannon are spending their weekends making this world a better place rather than figuring out further ways to waste time in the time suck economy.

Everything I do in life has to be about more than money, and starting a business is no different – we’re instilling social good into Oh Hey World from the beginning. The people who share my core values are the ones I focus on surrounding myself with in both life and business (and I’m grateful Shannon is now in both of those categories for me).

We’re beyond excited to have Shannon’s extensive travel experience to tap into and to have such an experienced traveler helping us ensure we are building the exact right product for travelers!

Drew Meyers

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Oh Hey World Updates

Announcing the Oh Hey World Advisors

February 26, 2013 Drew Meyers 2 Comments

Over the course of 5 years working with the amazing team at Zillow, it’s no surprise I learned a thing or two about building companies. My most important realization was that people are ultimately what build successful businesses. Particularly as a first time founder, one thing is certain — a great group of trusted advisors and mentors to tap into for guidance and serve as a sounding board increases the chance of success exponentially. I’ve been fortunate enough to have an incredibly talented support network to tap into over the past year as I built Oh Hey World, discussions I have each and every day remind me of that. Although I’ve gotten tons of advice from a huge range of people, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight our official advisors, who have a wealth of experience in a broad range of industries and have helped tremendously get us to where Oh Hey World is today.

Spencer Rascoff

spencer-rascoff

Co-founder of HotWire and CEO of Zillow.

Connection: Three of the four and a half years I worked at Zillow (2007 until my departure in 2010) were spent in the marketing department, which was run by Spencer at the time. When I think about successful executives I’ve interacted with, there is no one better. He works harder than anyone I know and is as good with strategy as anyone I know – which are both big factors in his success as a co-founder of HotWire and an early executive with a now-billion dollar company.

Seann Birkelund

Early stage venture investor, advisor, and entrepreneur. Co-founder at Education.com, led business development and corporate finance. Tech investor at Azure Capital.

Connection: Seann and I struck the initial Education.com-Zillow partnership in 2008 and have remained close ever since. Seann brings a wealth of experience to the table, particularly in the finance and operations side of things, that includes a venture capital background with Azure Capital. Seann has given me a wealth of invaluable feedback over the past several months.

Andrew Mattie

Andrew is a senior software engineer at Diverse Solutions (owned by Zillow) by day and is a pirate by night. He’s passionate about Jesus Christ, his wife and family, and building deliciously usable web applications.

Connection: Andrew was the first developer to integrate the Zillow API into an IDX product and went on to build the Local Market Explorer WordPress plugin, a project I managed. His company, Diverse Solutions, went on to get acquired by Zillow a couple years after I left. We’ve remained extremely close friends ever since, spent a lot of time together in Southern California while I worked at Virtual Results, and share a common desire for building fantastic applications that solve real large problems. Whenever I get in a pinch technically, Andrew is the first person I turn to.

Ian Ord

Having worked in the IT sector of the travel industry for the better half of a decade with Gap Adventures, and with over 15 years international travel experience, taking the next step to live and work abroad was a simple decision for Ian.

Having been born and raised in Canada, being exposed to multiculturalism was inherent in his upbringing. Bangkok, the hub of South East Asia, and one of the most culturally diverse parts of the world in a concentrated area, seemed like a natural fit.

An explorer since birth, Ian has now spent the better half of his life travelling. Spanning all 7 continents, and leaving no stone unturned, he continues to pursue discover new cultures, festivals, foods and all the other riches the world has to offer.

Connection: Ian and I met while we were both living in Chiang Mai in early 2012. As I began getting to know him, there was virtually not a single place in the world he hadn’t visited. A chunk of that experience was his time with G Adventures, but with 16 years under his belt, he’s clearly obsessed with travel and understands the pain points of life on the road. He blogs at Where Sidewalks End.

Shannon O’Donnell

Shannon, a storyteller and knowledge-seeker captivated by the world. Formally an actress and web-nerd, she left in 2008 to travel solo, volunteer, and hunt down delicious vegetarian eats all over the world. Then in 2011, returned home, picked up her 11-year-old niece and spent 7 months exploring Asia and homeschooling from the road. She geeks-out on learning new facts and sharing with others the intriguing tidbits and travel stories gleaned from life on the road. She blogs at A Little Adift and is a published author of the Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook.

Connection: Like Ian, Shannon and I also met in Chiang Mai early in 2012 while we were both living there. Her passion for giving back to others was obvious from the first moment I met her, and we’re beyond excited to have her travel experience to tap into. Shannon started as an advisor, but she’ll be joining the team in a near full time capacity soon.

Jerry Ostradicky

Jerry is the Manager of Advertising Operations for Zillow.com and Co-Founder of myKRO.org.

Connection: Jerry and I have been best friends since 2005 when we lived on the same floor at University of Washington. We both share a passion for microfinance and co-founded myKRO.org together five years ago. Like me, he’s hooked on travel. He’s one of the people I can tell anything in the world too — and know he’ll give me his honest opinions even if it’s not what I want to hear.

They are all listed on our About page.

Drew Meyers

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Oh Hey World Updates

Month of Microfinance and Oh Hey World

February 24, 2013 Drew Meyers 3 Comments

We’re pleased to announce our partnership with Month of Microfinance to provide the technology platform to help microfinance advocates all over the world find other microfinance advocates nearby.

To help us achieve our goal of bringing microfinance advocates together in person:

Sign up for the beta
Add “microfinance” as an interest on your profile
Take a look at other microfinance advocates here.

What exactly is Month of Microfinance?

WHAT: Month of Educational, Awareness and Fundraising events for Client-Centered Microfinance

WHEN: April 1 – April 30, 2013

WHERE: Everywhere

WHY: We are a low-budget (correct that, no-budget) grassroots movement of student organizations with a passion for microfinance and an intense commitment to learning.

HOW: Take 3 Steps

Learn about Client-Centered Microfinance

Act in support of Client-Centered Microfinance

Grow the Client-Centered Microfinance Movement

The goal is to organize the world’s microfinance community into real life communities. If that sounds ambitious, you’re right. It is. Finding others passionate about microfinance in cities all across the globe has been a personal pain point for me over the past 3 years traveling, so it’s safe to say I’ve beyond excited to have an imminent solution to this problem. Once Oh Hey World is live (read: before April), you’ll be able to sign up for an account, tag your profile as “microfinance”, check-in to your current location – and see others passionate about microfinance close by.

To help us achieve our goal of bringing microfinance advocates together in person:

Sign up for the beta
Add “microfinance” as an interest on your profile
Check in to your current city
Take a look at other microfinance advocates here.

More to come…

Drew Meyers

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Inspiration

Most Desired Destinations, Part 2

February 14, 2013 Drew Meyers Leave a comment

Eastern coast of Ghana

I thought I’d continue the theme of most desired travel destinations I started. Over the last couple weeks, I asked seasoned travelers the following question:

What destination (country or city) is at the top of your list of most desired places to visit, and why?

The goal was to get beyond the established locations like London, Paris, Rome, Bangkok, etc. Below are some additional responses…

Dani Blanchette – Going Nomadic

There’s a ton of places, but one place I really, really want to go is Indonesia. I want to see komodo dragons, have Sumatran coffee (my favourite kind) in Sumatra, and go see archaeological remains in Java. I also want to see a real volcano.

Shannon O’Donnell – A Little Adrift (Oh Hey World advisor)

Africa is at the top of my list—and I know that’s a broad answer, but I’ve been to so many countries and yet I haven’t made it anywhere in Africa. If I had to narrow it down though, I would start my journey with several months of volunteering in Kenya.

Jessie Speilvogel – Split Aces Media

Thailand because if Thai food is this good in the states… I can only imagine what it’s like when I try the real deal! Also, I’ve got a bucket list to attend to, and Thailand, Singapore, Laos, and Cambodia are all waiting to be crossed off.

Val Dawson – This Way to Paradise

I most want to go and discover Brazil. The Brazilian people always seem so happy and full of life. I don’t want to just go to the touristy spots either, as I have met many locals who have told me about some of the hidden spots such as Porto Segura. I also can’t wait to try Brazilian food, as this is a type of cuisine that I’m am not yet familiar with.

NaEun Park – Nanana Travels

My most desired place to go is India. It’s been a country I’ve always wanted to go to but held myself back for a long time. I grew up in Southeast Asia since I was 7 years old and always wondered what it ‘feels’ like to step into the region for the first time. I don’t really remember anything apart from the fact that it was hot and I didn’t get to experience too much of a ‘culture shock.’ I think India will be one of those places where I’ll get to experience it but I also wanted to make sure I was mentally prepared and be open to whatever I experience there – basically, letting go of all expectations. I think I’m ready for whatever India will show me and I’m looking forward to visiting it very soon!

What destination is at the top of your list?

Drew Meyers

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Travel Thoughts

What is the Most Important Thing Travel has Taught You?

February 11, 2013 Drew Meyers Leave a comment

For an interview I recently did, I was asked “What is the Most Important Thing Travel has Taught You?”

My response is as follows…

That we live a very privileged life — and we need to be grateful for that, take advantage of the opportunities presented to us, and leave this world a better place than when we entered it. I have grown to love the quote that I first heard from Will Smith, “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, you’re wasting your time”

What has travel taught you?

Drew Meyers

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Inspiration

Most Desired Destinations to Visit – from Seasoned Travelers

February 9, 2013 Drew Meyers 5 Comments

When it comes to desired destinations for travelers, you likely know the drill. Paris, Rome, New York, London, Bangkok, etc. But what about destinations a bit off the beaten path? The best way to figure out those locations are by asking a range of extremely seasoned travelers who have already visited the most popular spots.

Santorini

Carnival in Saint John’s USVI

Over the last couple weeks, I asked several seasoned travelers the following question:

What destination (country or city) is at the top of your list of most desired places to visit, and why?

Below are their responses….

Ian Ord – Where Sidewalks End (Oh Hey World advisor)

I’d have to say Myanmar is on the top of my travel radar at the moment. It’s started getting a lot of heavy tourist traffic in recent years, and I’d like to visit it while it’s tourism is still in it’s infancy.

Nick Loper – ShoeSniper

Way too many! If I had to pick just one, I would probably go with Thailand in general and Chiang Mai specifically. Everyone I know who’s gone raves about it and seems to be especially popular among like-minded Internet entrepreneurs.

Leslie Forman – LeslieForman.com

I’d love to visit Cuba. I’m fascinated by the politics and mixed economy of the place, and I think that it’s a country that will change dramatically in the next ten years or so. I want to stay in family-run guesthouses and ride in impeccably-maintained 50s-era cars. I’d like to sip mojitos and chat with everyone.

Alana Morgan – Paper Planes

I never seem to have a solid reason for wanting to visit a place. For me it’s less about specific sites, cities and activities and more about a feeling that I get for a place and can’t explain. I would love to go to Morocco or Turkey. I don’t know much about either but for some reason have always been drawn to the art, architecture and mystery those places hold for me.

Barret Caldwell – Bearly Home

Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island are at the top of my list right now….I’m determined to make it up there come April or May as it warms up…I want to see whales/lighthouses/eat seafood/and get lost on a whirlwind drive around the coast of Canada’s Maritimes.

As for me? I constantly go back and forth between South Africa and China. My best friend will tell you I’ve been talking about China since senior year of college. The economic activity over there is mind-blowing (at least from afar), and I want to see the next world superpower from the inside before the country is totally commercialized. My interest in South Africa has been a combination of the sheer natural beauty of Capetown – people I’ve talked to say it’s the most beautiful city in the world, gaining a better understanding Apartheid (& movies like Invictus), and the fact that my old boss at Zillow, David Gibbons, now lives there. If I had to pick one, I’d go with South Africa.

What destination is at the top of your list? Are you already planning the trip?

Drew Meyers

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Oh Hey World Updates

The Easiest Way to Update Your Current Location on Your Travel Blog

February 6, 2013 Drew Meyers Leave a comment

If you’re like me, you have a “currently in” module on your travel blog. Maybe your location is listed on your about page or maybe it’s listed on your sidebar or footer (or both). If you’re like me, you also probably still update that current location manually via html or widget text every time you change locations. If you’re like me, you forget — resulting in the current location often being out-of-date/wrong on your site.

Now, there’s an easier way for those of you with WordPress blogs. The Oh Hey World WordPress Plugin.

One click (or email or text) and you’re all set — without touching a line of code or messing with your widget settings.

Below are two examples of the plugin in use…

Example Widget

Seen on http://hmshenning.com/

Example shortcode

Seen on http://alittleadrift.com

I’m looking for 10 beta testers for our new WordPress plugin to make sure we catch all the bugs and make the product as valuable and easy to use as possible. If you want access to the plugin ahead of public release (& are willing to provide a bit of feedback), shoot me an email at drew at ohheyworld or leave a comment.

Drew Meyers

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Videos

Who Wants to go Paragliding?

February 3, 2013 Drew Meyers Leave a comment

I’m already sold on skydiving and bungee jumping.

Yea, I think I can be sold on paragliding after watching that video — as long as the learning process doesn’t involve going by myself the first few times.

[via GoBackpacking]

Drew Meyers

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Videos

312 Days and 108,371 Miles in 3 Minutes

January 31, 2013 Drew Meyers 2 Comments

I met a lot of travelers while living in Chiang Mai early last year, among them Gerard and Kieu (@GQTripping) — we had beers at Freedom Bar with Dave Dean and Lauren. Gerard and Kieu just put out a video summarizing their year on the travel trail…

Countries: Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Thailand, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, USA, Peru, Bolivia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary

The greatest part of the video? The quote at the end…

To follow their adventure, follow them at GQtrippin.com.

Drew Meyers

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Exploring the Wild Blue Yonder