Local StoriesJune 25, 2024

Hidden Gems: Meet Marie DeCosse of NOMAD Travel Groups

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie DeCosse.

Marie DeCosse

Hi Marie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The inspiration for NOMAD Travel Groups came from my “nomadic” childhood. I spent my younger years living in Madagascar, Bangladesh and traveling to various off-the-cuff destinations (e.g., Senegal, Thailand, Morocco, Egypt, Indonesia). My mother is Senegalese, from a country rooted in communalistic ideals, and my father is American, from a country rooted in individualistic ideals. I was raised with a beautiful blend of both. My family is proud, strong, taking inspiration from noble patriarchs on both sides (i.e., Moustapha Guirassy, a well-respected businessman and spokesperson for the government of Senegal, and Edward J. Flynn, a leading Democratic politician of the mid-twentieth century). I grew up with a fiery rage to prove myself but with the want to do it for my family, my community, and with a passion to create something that would help people.

I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that involved travel so I studied accounting, obtained my CPA license, and started working in international tax. Little did I know, international tax consulting seldom involves travel. I quickly realized I was stuck. When COVID hit and remote work became the norm, I became reinvigorated and inspired by this new way of life. I was no longer constrained by lengthy commutes and desk chains; I could serve my clients while traveling freely. Yet, something still felt off. I didn’t feel like I was fulfilling my purpose in life. So, I did what I always do when I come to a crossroads, I booked a trip with some friends. On the beaches of Saboga, Panama, my friends and I discussed friendship, community, travel, freedom. Why do we work so hard to only enjoy experiences like this once or twice a year? What was stopping us, like most young professionals, was cost. How do we travel often when the cost of travel continues to rise?

I created NOMAD to empower a new generation of workers, those who wish to intertwine their careers with their love of exploration. Our inclusive (i.e., not members-only) platform, introduces a community-oriented approach to home exchange that is unlike anything the market has seen before. We provide members of our Travel Groups with a shared calendar, group messaging features, background checks, and optional add-on insurance coverage. These features ensure safety and encourage relationship and trust building. We believe these three crucial elements lead to successful home swaps.

I’ve “found myself” through travel ever since I was a kid. I want to give people the gift of doing so as well while also taking the time to understand others. I believe that when you step into someone’s home you understand them better. Doesn’t mean you have to agree, but you do establish respect. If we all took the time to understand people more the world would be a better place. And why not do it at an affordable cost?

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving back to the U.S. from Bangladesh was very difficult for me. My family was going through some challenges, and I had developed severe social anxiety. I had left a close-knit group of friends halfway across the world to enter a public school in Fairfax, Virginia, where cliques reigned strong. I found my community through tennis, playing at a high level with kids from various ethnic backgrounds. The diversity of my tennis group was akin to that of the international schools I had come from, and I felt more at home.

I went to the University of Pittsburgh on a merit scholarship and, to make the most of it, I packed in the requisite 150 credits to qualify for CPA licensure in four years of schooling. I took summer classes, 18 credits a semester, secured two minors (i.e., French and African Studies) and earned a Certificate in International Business. My goal was to find a job that enabled me to travel as soon as possible. After graduation I began the grueling task of studying for the CPA exam, trying to fit in as many exams as I could before starting full-time as an international tax specialist with a public accounting firm. Once that feat was over and I could finally come up for air, COVID hit.

The one good thing that came out of the pandemic was the transition to remote work. I was able to travel often without compromising my duties to my clients. But, as I mentioned previously, something still felt off – thus began the NOMAD journey.

You go through a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges when founding a company. From concept development, research, building a team, fundraising, marketing, securing capital, there are learning curves at every turn. By overcoming these hurdles, you shape the company into the best version of itself. As a CEO, you have to understand every aspect of your business and you must recognize when, and to what scale, you should build the right team with the right set of skills – especially when you’re between the pre-seed and seed stage, as we are, and operating on a budget. I welcome these challenges; you must face them in order to grow.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
NOMAD Travel Groups is a service that introduces a unique community-oriented approach to home exchange. We bridge the gap between traditional home exchange and archaic timesharing models. We offer curated Travel Groups for professionals seeking quality, safety, community, and a seamless transition from one destination to another. Our service is tailored to the modern remote worker – those who yearn to explore without the burden of heavy accommodation costs. It is a service that aligns with the aspirations of those who wish to intertwine their careers with their love for adventure.

The process at NOMAD is straightforward yet thorough: customers register by listing their property and outlining their Travel Group preferences. Following a comprehensive Stripe-enabled background check, customers can then select appealing listings. We thoughtfully group customers with similar property and location interests as well as compatible listing restrictions (e.g., number of beds, baths, pets, guests). Consent is required from all group members before finalizing the group arrangement. Subsequently, each member commits to making their home available for an agreed upon number of days relevant to the group’s time frame and size. For instance, a member in a six-month group of three would offer their home for at least 30 non-consecutive days during that span. While in the Travel Group, group members are encouraged to engage in stays at each other’s homes, build relationships, share tips for travel, provide additional availability, and enjoy the freedom provided by secure and affordable accommodation.

Our Travel Groups offer enhanced security through our partnerships with Stripe Identity and Know Your Guest via background check screenings and insurance coverage offerings, and encourage relationship and trust building through member profiles, group messaging, and shared calendar features. We listened to feedback from customers of other home exchange platforms who highlighted the difficulty of coordinating travel plans, the subjective membership selection processes, the costly annual fees, and the inability to connect with those who were exchanging into their homes. We are the only home exchange platform on the market that offers this unique group matchmaking mechanism. Our MVP, launching in the summer of 2024, will feature our three-person, six-month, Travel Group plan and will offer stays as low as $250 for one-week. As we scale, we will offer numerous Travel Group options. We have pre-launched on social media and are rapidly building a waitlist of pre-registrants. We encourage those interested to pre-register for early access and exclusive discounts and to follow us on Instagram and TikTok @wetravelnomad.

At NOMAD, we believe in making travel accessible and tailored to each individual, ensuring that life and work not only coexist but complement each other perfectly. We’re devoted to providing an experience that is both affordable and finely tuned to the needs of a new generation of workers.

What matters most to you? Why?
I believe in the power of travel to build community and encourage self-growth by stepping out of your comfort zone. I want to encourage others to travel and to do so affordably through a secure mechanism. It is why I founded NOMAD. By building our NOMAD community we hope to share the beauty of frequent and equitable travel with the world.

Pricing:

Small fee per travel group assignment
Per day fee on stays with optional add-on guest damage protection insurance coverage through Know Your Guest for Hosts
$250 / week, $350 / 2 weeks, $700 / 4 weeks

Contact Info:

Image Credits
NOMAD Photographer: Ella Galaty NOMAD Graphic Designer: Elliott Maxwell Roby

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