Vision to Venture: How 2 Entrepreneurs Created GoWāndr!
We’re mixing things up in this episode with our very first guest conversation. And I couldn’t have asked for better company. Caelyn Phillips and Christopher Bell, the co-founders of GoWāndr, are here to share their story. This isn’t just another travel app they’ve built. It’s something soulful, designed to make exploring the world feel personal again.
Caelyn is one of those rare creatives who can think like a strategist. He’s a multilingual UX designer, researcher, and marketer who moves easily between cultures, fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Over the years, he’s worked across user experience, brand strategy, and digital design, helping startups shape products that actually connect with people.
Christopher comes from a different angle but with the same heart for design. He’s a seasoned UX designer and researcher who’s worked with major companies like Centene Corporation and ADP, always with the goal of creating seamless, human-centered experiences. He’s also my son. Together, they’re a powerhouse with ten years of trust, collaboration, and a knack for blending practical problem-solving with a bit of poetry.
In this conversation, we get into the grit of building GoWāndr, and how it went from a spark of an idea to a tool that organizes every part of a trip, yet still manages to spark curiosity and capture memories. You’ll hear why they pivoted from their original plan, the features that make the app stand out, and the moments along the way that told them they were onto something special.
GoWāndr is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The first month is free with full feature access, and most functions can be explored without logging in.
Episode Highlights:
[02:22] Today we're shifting for the first time from a solo podcast format to one that includes guest leaders. Phillips and Christopher Bell, the co-founders of GoWāndr are here today.
[06:01] Caelyn shows the inspiration for the app and what sparked the idea. Travel has changed his perspective on the world.
[07:25] The app was originally going to be a language learning app. They then decided to shift the idea to make travel more accessible to everyone.
[08:53] For about 15 years, Chris was a professional photographer specializing in fashion creative photoshoots. He was also the editor-in-chief of Aspiring Magazine for about five years. He also worked in podcasts and other creative work before pivoting to UX design.
[09:29] Caelyn and Chris have worked together for about a decade now. They worked in multimedia and produced various documentaries.
[10:41]The importance of knowing when and how to pivot when working in startups.
[11:33] The beauty of having an organic aspect of an idea or product instead of being stuck with this is your baby and I can't change.
[12:04] It's important to adapt to what people need.
[12:44] What makes Stand Out is the organizational aspect. You can do everything in one place. You can collaborate and share links with your travel partner.
[14:30] Users can expect all of the standard booking items plus a dynamic dashboard that has what you need at your fingertips. There's also an echo journal where you can organize everything. The app also has a nostalgic aesthetic.
[15:44] GoWāndr was designed with intention.
[16:39] After using the app, people should walk away more than just a trip. We want them to feel like they reconnected in a sense with themselves, with the curiosity, with the stories they travel, that makes travel meaningful.
[17:03] Every memory has emotional weight. People should feel seen and inspired and a little bit transformed.
[18:16] We discuss the emotional experience of developing the app. We want to build the lasting staying power of these memories.
[19:12] Chris shares his leadership approach to ensure that GoWāndr has staying power. A lot of it is about leaning into their strengths and resourcefulness.
[22:07] The beauty of taking a project and working with it brick by brick.
[23:29] Chris and Caelyn share favorite memories from building GoWāndr.
[26:17] Chris and Caelyn have strengths that complement each other. Whatever they do turns out to be successful.
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