My Favorite Experiences When Working at IfOnly (A Startup Acquired by Mastercard)
Working for a successful startup that was acquired by Mastercard has paved the way for many awesome opportunities. IfOnly was a marketplace for incredible experiences, think of Airbnb experiences, but higher caliber with a higher price point to match. We sold once-in-a-lifetime experiences and were criticized for being the “Make a Wish” for the rich, even though we had a variety of opportunities at all price points. But I’m sure you only want to hear about the more unique, exclusive ones. So, here are a few of my favorite once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Meet the Rolling Stones
I kid you not, I have organized dozens of meet & greets with the Rollings Stones. IfOnly was one of the very few providers that could officially provide the rare opportunity to meet the Rolling Stones on tour. While I think many go into a meet & greet with their favorite celebrity with big expectations, they can sometimes be underwhelmed because a typical meet & greet lasts only 30-90 seconds because the celebrity/artist is typically on a tight show schedule. The opportunity to meet the Rolling Stones is not only a memorable one because it’s, well, the Rolling Stones, but also because they take their time to really connect with their meet & greet guests who have forked over a lump sum of cash (most of which benefits a local charity). Guests must submit a brief bio ahead of the meet & greet which the band reviews ahead of time so they have something to connect with their fans during their precious, limited time.
Private Tour of the Louvre
As everyone knows, the Louvre beholds some of the world’s most important works of art. But as with every historical place, the lines and crowds can be a turnoff. Wouldn’t you rather skip the line and have an up-close-and-personal tour given by the Louvre curators themselves when the museum is closed to the public? This experience offers the rare chance to view works of art including the famous Mona Lise smile while getting an in-depth education from your own personal docent. The experience concludes with lunch and champagne at the restaurant in the Louvre with your personal docent to debrief on the witnessed works of art.
Dine at a Michilean Starred Chef’s Home
Going out to eat is a favorite extracurricular activity for most. I’m one of those people that likes to know which region in Italy the olives that garnish my salad come from or how many years the shaved comté was aged. For me, the dining experience becomes more memorable when I gain insight into all the little details that go into making a thoughtful dish. I never imagined I could get a glimpse of what life is like for a Michelin Starred chef by dining in their actual home. Renowned chefs like Gary Danko and Teague Moriarty (Sons & Daughters) invite you into their home for an unforgettable dining experience. Don’t want to make the trek over to their home? Other renowned chefs like Dana Younkin (Boulevard), Alice Waters (Chez Panisse) and Tyler Florence (not introductory needed) could bring their talented skills and trusty staff and create an unforgettable dining experience in your home. No cleanup required.
Want to hear more about once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are worth the price tag? Email us at info@thebonsoir.com or call (628) 223-3510.