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Meet Taige Zhang, the co-founder of Fairytrail, a travel matching and booking app that people use for dating or friendship. Welcome to “Life by Design.” This Discovery Sessions interview series probes inspiring individuals who work online and travel, and people designing their lives around freedom to inspire readers just like you. 

 

 

Where are you from or where do you feel local to?

Taige Zhang: I’m from San Francisco, but I feel like a world citizen. I grew up in five countries and went to 11 different schools, including universities and exchange programs. I feel most at home in North America and Europe, but I consider the world my home.

 

 

 

How did you start as a digital nomad app designer?

TZ: I had a friend at Apple who was building products. He was having the most fun at his job out of anyone I knew. I’d love to build things too, so I looked for an opportunity to get into product management.

 

We launched Fairytrail in late 2019, a few months before Covid, so not the best timing for a travel company. We pivoted to a dating and friendship app for travelers during the pandemic, but now that travel is returning, we are transitioning back to being more of a travel company.

 

Since I moved to the USA for a job, I had been finding it really hard to find someone I want to marry and start a family with. Because I was traveling a lot for work and most dating apps require a location, it was difficult for me to meet for coffee dates. What blew my mind was that many women were willing to fly for a first date. Since I wasn’t around for coffee, we’d do a video call, and then after some talking, they’d fly to meet me, or we’d both fly somewhere. 

 

One of those adventure dates turned into a relationship, and I remember asking why she flew to meet me. She said she liked me, and it sounded fun. Perfect logic.

 

The truth was that those adventure dates were incredibly fun and high quality. 100X better than coffee dates or drinks. So I thought, wouldn’t other people like this? The only issue was safety. Well, it turns out companies like Airbnb, GYG, and Viator have thousands of outdoor group activities, which make it super safe for two strangers to enjoy together. That’s how this business got started. 

 

 

What advice would you give someone looking to start designing apps?

TZ: Talk to people who are already doing what you want to do. Tell people about your goals. Also, I think if you look at successful people, you’ll find a pattern that most of them were willing to work hard or for free to get to their dream. Don’t be afraid of hard work.

 

 

What does a typical day in the life look like for you (if you have one)?

TZ: I have a lot of meetings with designers, engineers, and business folks. I research, prioritize, ideate, and build with my team.

 

 

What’s the biggest challenge of life as the designer of a travel matching app?

TZ: Making sure everyone is aligned, empowered, and motivated.

 

 

What’s the biggest reward of life as the designer of a travel matching app?

TZ: Making dreams a reality. Changing people’s lives for the better.

 

 

How do you measure success?

TZ: Results, happiness, and energy.

 

 

What habits, principles, or ideas have served you the most in your life?

TZ: I think keeping my word to myself and others has been a key to success. Habit of exercise, hard work, and learning. Knowing what’s important. For me, it’s health and relationships. It guides my decisions.

 

 

What do you wish you did differently (in work or life)?

TZ: I am actually super happy with what I’m doing for work and my lifestyle.

 

 

The stage is yours, tell our readers anything.

TZ: Feel free to get in touch with me on Instagram @taigeair or try my digital nomad matching app at http://www.fairytrail.app.