Startup Cafe: Travel Talk
☕️ Startup Cafe: Travel Talk
In this special Startup Café "Travel Talk" edition, we’re joined by renowned adventure photographer and entrepreneur Laura Grier, who shares the powerful story of how one transformative travel experience became the spark that launched her business Andeana Hats.
Through candid conversation, we’ll dive into how travel has not only shaped her journey but also influenced her creative vision and career path. Along the way, we’ll spotlight inspiring stories of other founders who turned meaningful moments on the road into bold ideas, impactful ventures, and purpose-driven brands.
Whether you're a curious traveler, a budding entrepreneur, or simply someone inspired by the intersection of movement and meaning, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Agenda
8:45 - 9:45 am • Coffee and Socialize
9:45 - 10:30 am • Scheduled Experience
July 23rd, 2025
About: Laura Grier
Laura Grier is an acclaimed adventure travel photographer, photojournalist, and social-impact entrepreneur, often dubbed the “Indiana Jones” of photography. With over two decades behind the lens, she’s captured stories across all seven continents through her brand Beautiful Day Photography and shoots for National Geographic’s catalog of artisans, Novica, documenting vanishing cultural arts. In 2019, Laura co‑founded Andeana Hats, an eco-conscious fashion venture that blends her passions for travel, photography, and women’s empowerment.
Sourcing handmade alpaca‑wool hats and woven intention bands from Quechua women of Peru’s Sacred Valley, Andeana supports artisan income, preserves traditional crafts, and elevates cultural heritage.
Continuing into philanthropy, Laura launched Mayu Mission—a sister nonprofit dedicated to partnering with indigenous artisans across Central and South America to preserve traditional crafts, language, and cultural heritage, while connecting them to global markets through digital entrepreneurship.
🔗 LINKEDIN | 🔗 WEBSITE | 🔗 INSTAGRAM
About: Mike Schibel
Mike Schibel is the founder of Travel With Meaning, a platform dedicated to inspiring meaningful travel through storytelling and connection. A seasoned content creator, Mike has written for Uproxx, Rova, and is regularly featured in the Palisades Post. He has collaborated with premier destinations such as Visit Seattle, the Hawaiian Islands, Los Cabos, and Austria to create impactful campaigns that resonate with travelers.
Mike has been a featured speaker for Royal Caribbean’s guest series and was recognized as an ASAT Entrepreneur Finalist, a TBEX Top Podcast Nominee, and the Travel With Meaning Podcast has been named a Top 25 Travel Podcast by International Hospitality Institute.
About The KINN
The KINN is a membership network, accelerator, and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs, based in Venice, CA. Running tailored inner development and business accelerator programs for startups, providing executive coaching, accountability, and access to a top tier LA-based community of conscious entrepreneurs, creatives, intrapreneurs, and investors. If you're interested in learning more about KINN Membership please visit http://thekinn.co/apply
About Startup Coil
Networking for innovators to connect with like-minded individuals, startups, and entrepreneurs. startupcoil.com
About Nerds of LA
Join Nerds of LA—where LA’s most innovative minds collide! We’re building the ultimate network by connecting with other powerhouse groups in the area, expanding our reach across the city. If you’re ready to link up with founders, VCs, AI visionaries, and innovators shaping the future, this is the group you’ve been looking for.
Pick your platform and join the conversation with LA’s tech community. 🤝 🦾
Highlights from previous special guests
Building Businesses from the Heart with Lavinia Errico, Co-Founder of Equinox
How to Scale Consciously with Ryan Blair
Founder Mental Health Pledge with Brad Baum
Art Show with Denise Di Novi
Operating Incubators with Reuben Vollmer
Malibu Love Affair with Brigitte Londo
Live Through Love with Ruben Rojas
Finding Stillness with Henry Mitchell
Smarter with Science! with Science Stanley and Zen Zachary
The Science of Charisma: The 7 Secrets of Public Speaking with Richard Greene
Unveiling the Human Experience with Paul Vincent
Note: By attending this event, I hereby give my permission to the Horizon House LLC, their Releases, and to the photographer, my free and unlimited consent and permission to publish/broadcast, republish/rebroadcast or exhibit in the furtherance of their work, with or without identification of me by name, any photographs, videos or audios of myself, that have been obtained from my participation in KINN or Horizon Studio activities. I furthermore waive any and all claims for any compensation by reason thereof or for damages for reasons thereof.