Adapt and evolve, that is one of the secrets to the success of Jeremy Jauncey – CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations, an award-winning strategic, creative, and content studio that focuses on travel.
Perhaps best known as a social media influencer and travel photographer, Jauncey’s success in turning Beautiful Destinations into a universally-acclaimed innovative travel brand is no stroke of chance.
Growing up between the United Kingdom and New York in the United States, the Scottish-Colombian first fancied himself a career as a professional athlete, but ended up entering the start-up world after graduating from University, co-founding a few different tech businesses including the gorgeous travel-porn Instagram channel Beautiful Destinations.
Hugely successful, the company has partnered with various tourism boards, and hotel chains including Marriott and Hilton, and has expanded its social media presence to cover Beautiful Cuisines, Beautiful Hotels, Beautiful Matter, and Beautiful Apparel, among others.
Apart from his work with Beautiful Destinations, Jauncey is also a global ambassador for wellness company Technogym, and recently took part in the exclusive Technogym Retreat event in Dubai, where he caught up with Esquire Middle East…
ESQ: Did the Beautiful Destinations story begin with intention, or did you realise along the way what it could become?
Jeremy Jauncey: I think all good companies begin with a bit of vision and an equal part luck. Beautiful Destinations was very much this, as it began life as an Instagram account without a business plan or idea of what it could become. Social media was in its early days but we rode the wave of smartphones and accessible travel, building great relationships and clients around the world. The turning point for me was our first client Burj Al Arab, the first time I came to Dubai, and the support I received from the region for what we were trying to build.
How have you had to transform yourself as a person from the start of that journey?
I grew up on a farm in Scotland, went to a remote school and had very little context of the rest of the world when I was young. It was only when I left home, moved to New Zealand to play rugby and flew through Singapore that I truly understood how little I knew or had experienced. Traveling opened my eyes to so many amazing people, cultures and experiences but if I hadn’t pushed myself to explore then I would not be anywhere near the person I am today.
Technogym’s mission and social cause is “Let’s move for a better world”. What does that mean to you?
When I was young I wanted to be a professional rugby player. I played for Scotland at school and moved to New Zealand to be amongst the best. Although I had a career-ending injury the discipline and focus I learnt through sport has stayed with me my whole life and the idea of moving my body every day is incredibly important to me. The physical, mental and emotional benefits of being healthy and active are undeniable and the wider lifestyle we are trying to encourage at Technogym just has so many fantastic, life-changing benefits.