Meet Sam Marks And Kelly Schmidt | Co-Founders and Wellness Travel Enthusiasts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Marks And Kelly Schmidt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam Marks and Kelly Schmidt, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting our own business came from a mix of personal experience, passion and a gap we saw in the market. We’ve always believed that travel and wellness don’t have to be at odds- you shouldn’t have to choose between exploring new places and maintaining your health. We wanted to create a company that helps people travel in a way that aligns with their daily lifestyle, whether through itineraries that prioritize low-tox, health-conscious experiences or products that make it easier to feel great while on the go.

Beyond that, we were drawn to the freedom and creativity that comes with entrepreneurship. Most importantly, we wanted to build something that reflects our values. Seeing how many people struggle to maintain their routines when they’re away from home, we knew there was an opportunity to provide real solutions. We understand that five day yoga retreats aren’t for everyone but at the same time, a lot of us have left the nonstop party vibe behind.

Starting Glimmer wasn’t just about filling a gap in the market, it was also about building a brand and community that inspires people to create nourishing memories together. With our background in wellness and having faced our own challenges with staying healthy while traveling, it felt like the natural next step to expand into a business that makes mindful travel more accessible.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our journey to where we are today has been anything but linear. We both left steady roles in recruiting, a field that gave us invaluable experience in understanding people, building relationships, and navigating the challenges of growing a business. While we gained a lot from that world, we always felt drawn to something that aligned more deeply with our passions.

Pivoting from stable careers in recruiting to launching our own business has not been easy. Entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty, steep learning curves and many moments of doubt. But we leaned on each other, our support systems, and the mindset that every challenge is an opportunity to learn. We are embracing being beginners again: whether it’s refining our brand, learning the ins and outs of product development or figuring out how to scale. We also stayed deeply connected to why we think building Glimmer matters: travel is life-changing and feeling healthy enough to do so is a gift.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that clarity comes from action. There’s never a “perfect” time to start and waiting for everything to be figured out only delays progress.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first of all, check out our free Boulder itinerary on www.glimmerplanning.com!!

We like to prioritize balanced travel experiences, so we’d mix in iconic local spots with wellness-focused experiences like yoga, time in nature, and nourishing eats. We love unique stays like the Ramble Hotel in Denver or Hotel Boulderado in Boulder. For activities, Meow Wolf, walking RiNo Arts District, a show at Red Rocks, a day trip to hike in Boulder or Golden all hit the spot. We adore a slow morning spent at a local coffee/breakfast shop like DC/AM Coffee Bar, Leven Deli or Hello Darling and we both are HUGE fans of Black Swan yoga! Canopy Yoga is another very cool spot in the city. For lunch, we love The Corner Beet, Edgewater Market or Wellness Sushi. For dinner, we crave a cozy evening at Tavernetta or Sienna Wine Bar. For a splurge night with your bestie: The Wolf’s Tailor, Sap Sua, Safta or Beckon would be our go-to’s!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To be honest, we inspired each other! As friends who became business partners, we recognized early on that we each brought unique strengths to the table- skills that would be invaluable in building something meaningful. But beyond our individual abilities, what truly inspired us to take this leap together was the trust and mutual respect we shared. We knew that no matter what challenges came our way, we would have each other’s backs, pushing when necessary, offering support when needed and always leading with empathy and care. Our shared vision for Glimmer wasn’t just about business, it was about creating something bigger than ourselves, built on the foundation of our friendship and the belief that we could make a real impact together.

Website: https://www.glimmerplanning.com

Instagram: @go_glimmer

Other: Tiktok: @go_glimmer