GRAYL Offers Safe Drinking Water On-The-Go

This week in our travel start up series we meet Nancie Weston from our Travel Massive Seattle Chapter, CEO and Founder of GRAYL. Nancie helps to make safe drinking water on the go, anywhere in the world!

What is your brand about?

GRAYL is about safe water for any adventure! GRAYL is committed to providing practical and durable water purification. Our Travel Water Purifier is suitable for international travel and outdoor use worldwide, allowing travelers to take control of their water quality abroad. GRAYL is also a green, eco-friendly way to forgo bottled water that often ends up in landfills in many parts of the world. GRAYL is based in Seattle, WA.

Who is your brand for?

Our brand is for anyone who cares about water quality and water safety for travel and outdoor adventures like hiking and backpacking. The statistics on people who get sick from contaminated food or water while traveling are shocking; up to 10 million people a year according to the CDC. GRAYL is also for people who want to eliminate the cost and waste associated with bottled water. Using GRAYL ensures safe drinking water and reduces your environmental impact. 

Is there a unique story of how it came to be?

In the mid ‘80s I went on a horseback riding trip, and after drinking out of a spring-fed trough that was supposed to be clean I became very ill. Little did I know at the time that this bad water drinking experience would pave the way for GRAYL. I was also concerned about the plastic pollution caused by bottled water and the poor taste and quality of water I encountered while traveling. There had to be a better way than hard to suck-through options or pumps.  I wanted something stylish enough for a business meeting, yet durable enough for the backcountry.

What gap did you find in the travel industry that inspired you to create it?

I found a real lack of water purification options for the traveler that were easy to use and portable while also being effective against threats you could face in developing countries, like viruses.  I couldn’t find anything powerful enough for outdoor sources yet distinguished enough for restaurants and hotels.  Most filtration devices are not effective on viruses, and those that are may be bulky, use chemicals, or use a technology that purifies but doesn’t make the water taste clear and clean.  I also found that some filters and purifiers aren’t effective against chemicals, which can affect quality and taste. These gaps were driving forces behind the design of GRAYL.

What makes your brand awesome or different from other similar ones?

GRAYL’s unique “French Press” method is unique in the market. GRAYL allows you to share, pour and store water (think: brush your teeth anywhere).  GRAYL can filter as well as purify using an advanced adsorptive technology originally made for NASA.  This means that not only do we trap harmful pathogens that can make you sick, but we also filter particulate matter and many heavy metals and industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals, plus flavor and odor, for great tasting water every time.  Our advanced filtration media has a fast flow rate, which means you can purify 16 oz. of water in less than 30 seconds – no pumping, squeezing, sucking or waiting.

How is your brand changing the future of the industry or helping to make travel better?

GRAYL is allowing people to take control of their water quality wherever they go- no more worrying about water while traveling.  GRAYL also empowers people to be eco-friendly in regards to water while traveling.  Our Purifier can be used indoors or outdoors, on virtually any fresh water source in the world.

What are the biggest challenge(s) you would like to see resolved or improved in the travel industry?

It is sad when you think about it, in a UNEP study 70% of all money spent by tourists ends up leaving that country and going to airlines, hotels and other international companies who often have their headquarters in the traveler’s home countries. Supporting sustainability and efforts that support local economies in the places we go to enjoy should be improved in the industry.

Do you have any tips for finding and securing investors or gaining traction in the industry?

Funding is tough- we have done it.  My first advice is to let your passion shine through; it will carry you farther than you think!  Other tips are:

• Get your books straight
• Tighten the pitch: Why is what you do better than what’s already out there? How are you going to get customers? How big is the market and how much can you take? Max exit size? Do you have the team to get it done?

Is your brand doing something cool and innovative this year?

We are working on a new product launching in Spring 2016.  We are also launching our cartridge recycling program as well as an insulated bottle that holds two GRAYL “presses” (32 oz.) of purified water for water storage on the go.

How has travel changed since your company entered the travel industry?

The awareness of plastic waste while traveling is now a bigger concern. Colleges and cities are turning away from single use bottled water and are looking for alternatives. This awareness is spilling over into travel where people are concerned with the waste they leave behind in other countries that do not have a recycling program like we have here in the USA or Europe.

How will the way consumers travel change in the future?

We see the movement towards adventure and immersive travel.  We are looking forward to travel being more accessible to a greater audience, and those travelers being interested in culture immersion.

Is there one thing you do in every city you travel to?

I get up really early, sit outside with a coffee and watch the businesses open their doors and get deliveries. It is quiet and peaceful and is where you see the true heart of a city.

What is the most unique travel experience you had?

A trip last spring to a small pueblo in Mexico was magical. I had my trip all planned out, everyday I had an activity, go scuba diving, surfing, hiking, horseback riding, sailing etc. What did I do? The people of the town were so loving and kind I just sat on the beach and absorbed in all the positive energy. It was an incredible experience, I learned to slow down and listen. I learned so much about other people and in that exchange I learned about myself and how to be a kinder person.

Why do you travel?

To learn, experience and help others in their journey to except and love themselves and others. If we all encouraged each other to love and to do good, imagine what the world could be like!

Follow GRAYL on Travel Massive to receive a 25% discount code.

The Travel Start-Up is a monthly series that profiles unique online travel start-ups in the Travel Massive community around the world. Connect with Nancie and GRAYL on Travel Massive.