Chanel and Stevo once led grounded lives in the advertising world, but a bold decision in 2015 changed everything. After seven years of commuting, campaigns, and cubicles, the couple, just the two of them then, took a leap. Inspired by Stefan Sagmeister’s TED Talk on the power of sabbaticals, they embraced the uncertainty of travel. What was meant to be a single year off quickly evolved into an entirely new life.
“I remember the feeling of freedom,” Chanel recalls. “We were young, free, and just needed to fall back in love with creativity and life.” Nine months in, with work steadily pouring in and a newfound spark guiding them, the duo decided their sabbatical could last indefinitely. They got married, then had daughter Elodie, and thus How Far From Home became not just a travel blog, but a growing family brand powered by passion and authenticity.
As Creative Directors turned nomadic storytellers, their background in narrative strategy became the backbone of their evolving platform. “We teach campaigns have multiple pillars,” Stevo explains. “Our personal story, our travels, our family, and as long as we remain constant, the audience resonates.” They apply familiar tactics, cohesive themes, campaign-level planning, series structuring, to their blog and YouTube channel, ensuring each piece of content feels intentional and aligned with their brand identity.
When the pandemic hit, they refused to disappear. Instead, they launched #TravelFromHome, a series designed to rally creativity and hope amidst global restrictions. “We wanted to keep people dreaming,” Chanel says. “So we featured local creators, from a Moroccan chef teaching tajine to a Los Angeles barista’s latte art, with the message: travel is mindset.” Their initiative amplified 132 small businesses and fostered digital solidarity. The campaign wasn’t just a creative pivot, it was a mission to support marginalised communities.
Running a full-time travel brand with a toddler in tow was never going to be easy. “When we figure logistics out, we’ll let you know,” Chanel laughs. Flexibility became their life line. With Elodie’s moods, fleeting schedules, and shifting locations, rigidity quickly gave way to fluidity. “We learned the hard way that survival equals flexibility,” Stevo affirms. That principle underpins everything, from booking accommodations to shooting a campaign or launching a course.
Their most challenging test came during their #TravelFromHome spin-off with Kenya Tourism. Remote collaboration with dozens of influencers, none grown in-person, tested every skill: influencer management, content strategy, execution. “It was 2021 and everything was virtual,” Stevo explains. “We had to manage ideation, strategy, production, all without meeting face to face.” It was a crash course in remote leadership at scale, and by all accounts, a triumph.
Of the many places they’ve explored, one stands out for redefining their approach to travel storytelling: Indonesia. Stunning landscapes, rich culture, and rampant pollution. “Seeing paradise littered with plastic forced us to pivot our content,” Chanel reflects. “We focused on real stories, eco-initiatives, local entrepreneurs, sustainability, not just ‘perfect’ shots.”
But there were other keystones: Germany’s progressive environmental ethic taught them about conscious living, Norway’s sustainable model inspired them to rethink consumer habits, and South Africa’s wildlife reminded them of the ecological footprints our travels leave behind. Each example underscored their belief that travel content must both enchant and educate.
Their travels fuel their offerings beyond social media. Print books, online courses, and travel toolkits now bear intentional design, evolving with trends and platforms. From early Instagram filters to Snapchat, Stories, Reels, TikTok, their tools evolve, but their core message remains unchanged: be authentic, be creative, be thoughtful.
Working with toddler Elodie introduces both complicity and challenge. “She’s our brightest star,” they say. “She can sense the vibe, long travel days or photo shoots, and adapt. We never force her. If something feels off, we pivot.” Sometimes imperfect takes, Elodie crying or sleeping, turn into moments of joy. Breastfeeding, she smileily points out, is eased by their flexible approach. “She leads our schedule,” Chanel says, “and so far, her presence has made everything more real.”
Now ten years into the journey and 830,000 km later, Chanel and Stevo find themselves in a pivotal moment. With support from an agency coach, they’re restructuring their business to better align with their evolving goals, personal, creative, and financial. This summer, spending time in Europe, they’re mapping the next phase: launches, courses, a deeper digital resource library, and more creative partnerships that align with their values. “Things need to change in order to remain happy as Elodie grows,” they’ve realised, and that transition feels like the start of something exciting.
The result is a brand that doesn’t just showcase places, it offers perspective, positivity, and purpose. Chanel and Stevo’s work captures moments, connects cultures, and catalyses community. They strike that delicate balance between polished travel content and honest family stories, sharing the magic of travel without glossing over reality.
Their message resonates across generations: travel is discovery, creativity is process, and growth comes with change. They model that life is not a single path but a wending journey shaped by curiosity, courage, and connection.
As for what lies next, an extended online course, new courses for other travel families, sustainable travel guides, or curated travel kits, nothing is set in stone. But one truth rings clear: every piece of content, campaign, course, or collaboration will be filtered through their guiding values, honesty, creativity, sustainability, and flexibility.
After a decade on the road, Chanel, Stevo, and Elodie stand at a new crossroads. They’re not starting over, they’re continuing consciously. The mile markers change, but the answer remains: travel farther, and tell richer, truer stories.
