Travel Content Creator – Zee Travel

From Engineer to Travel Creator: How Zineb Baaout Built a Full-Time Career Sharing Her Adventures

When you scroll through Instagram and see stunning mountain views, crystal lakes, and cinematic drone shots, it’s easy to assume that travel creators spend all their time on vacation. But for Zineb Baaout, better known as @zee.travel, the journey to becoming a full-time content creator was anything but simple.

Originally from Morocco and now based in Utah, Zineb turned her love for exploration into a thriving business. She partners with tourism boards, outdoor brands, and hotels to produce engaging travel content for her growing community of more than 150,000 followers across platforms.

In this episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, host Brittni Schroeder sits down with Zineb to talk about how she transitioned from an engineering career to full-time travel content creation, the tools that help her stay consistent, and what she’s learned about building a brand online.

How It All Started

Zineb’s story begins in Morocco, where she was born and raised. In 2019, she moved to the United States to pursue her master’s degree in engineering at Mississippi State University. After graduating, she began working in the engineering field in Mississippi—a stable and well-paying job that checked all the traditional boxes of success. Yet, even with financial security, Zineb felt a sense of dissatisfaction.

She recalls feeling like she didn’t have enough time to enjoy the life her career afforded her. With just ten vacation days a year, she realized that the lifestyle she wanted—one filled with travel, freedom, and creativity—wasn’t possible in her current path.

During this time, she began sharing travel photos on Instagram simply as a creative outlet. It started as a hobby, a way to document her experiences and connect with others who loved exploring. But what began as a casual pastime soon turned into something much bigger.

A visit to Salt Lake City and Park City changed everything. Zineb was captivated by Utah’s mountains, national parks, and the endless opportunities for adventure. The landscape and lifestyle resonated deeply with her, and soon after, she made the move to Utah.

That’s when things started to shift. “When I moved to Utah, that’s when I started taking content seriously,” she explains. She began posting regularly, creating weekend itineraries, exploring new trails, and sharing travel tips. Her content resonated with others who also worked full-time but dreamed of adventure, showing them that travel didn’t have to mean quitting your job—it just required creativity and planning.

Tools of the Trade

At first glance, Zineb’s content looks like it could be produced by a professional media team. The shots are cinematic, the editing is seamless, and the storytelling feels effortless. But behind the scenes, her setup is refreshingly simple.

“I mostly just use my iPhone,” she shares. “I bought a 360 camera recently for things like ziplining, but otherwise I don’t carry a lot. I like to travel light, especially when hiking.”

Her approach proves an important point for aspiring creators: it’s not about having the most expensive gear, it’s about having a clear vision and consistent practice. Zineb’s content works because it’s authentic, visually compelling, and tells a story that inspires people to get outside and explore.

That focus on simplicity also helps her maintain her creative energy. Traveling light allows her to stay present in the moment, which comes through in her content. She isn’t weighed down by heavy equipment or complicated production logistics—she’s focused on capturing experiences that feel real.

Turning Content Into a Business

As Zineb’s following grew, opportunities began to appear. Like many new creators, her first collaborations weren’t paid. She reached out to local businesses and brands she genuinely loved, offering to share content in exchange for experiences or products.

“In the beginning, I reached out to businesses I wanted to post about,” she says. “Most of the time, it was just an exchange. Later, I started reaching out to destinations and cities, and those were usually paid.”

Her first paid partnership came from Visit Ogden, a Utah-based tourism organization. That campaign became a turning point. “That was my first monetized campaign,” she recalls. “I had around 14,000 followers at the time, and I’m still so grateful they gave me that opportunity.”

From there, her career gained momentum. She began building relationships with tourism boards, hotels, and outdoor brands. Each collaboration helped her refine her business strategy and strengthen her portfolio.

Today, Zineb’s income primarily comes from brand partnerships and destination campaigns. Her audience has grown beyond 54,000 followers on Instagram alone, with additional reach on TikTok and Facebook. Her community trusts her recommendations because they’re rooted in genuine experience, not just sponsored content.

When it comes to brand partnerships, she’s learned that proactive outreach often leads to the best results. “My highest-paid collaborations have come from my own outreach,” she explains. “When I see a brand that’s a perfect fit, I pitch them directly. That gives me better leverage because I already know it’s a great match.”

That intentional approach allows her to work with brands that align with her values—companies focused on sustainability, outdoor adventure, and authentic travel experiences.

Consistency Is the Secret

Ask any creator what their biggest challenge is, and most will say consistency. It’s easy to stay motivated when engagement is high and growth is visible. It’s harder to keep going when views drop or the algorithm shifts.

For Zineb, consistency has been the foundation of everything. “You just have to start and stay consistent,” she says. “Have a real goal from the beginning—know why you’re doing it. Otherwise, you’ll burn out. There will be ups and downs with views, but you have to push through.”

Host Brittni Schroeder echoes that message. As an entrepreneur and business coach, she’s seen how consistency can transform not just social media growth, but business success as a whole. “You can’t get frustrated with the algorithm,” she says. “It’s constantly changing, but what really matters is showing up.”

That mindset has guided both women in their careers. Zineb didn’t become a full-time creator overnight—it was years of steady posting, learning, and refining her craft. She didn’t wait for the perfect opportunity or equipment; she started with what she had and stayed committed to improving.

Her growth is a reminder that success online isn’t about viral moments. It’s about trust, value, and showing up when it feels like no one’s watching.

Challenges

While Zineb’s job looks idyllic on Instagram, she’s honest about the challenges that come with being a creator. One of her biggest frustrations is the lack of recognition for creators as professionals.

“A lot of businesses don’t see us as professionals,” she explains. “They’ll say, ‘We’ll give you food or a free stay,’ but they don’t realize this is our job. It’s not a hobby—it’s work.”

Behind every beautiful photo or travel video is hours of research, shooting, editing, negotiating contracts, and managing client relationships. Zineb emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and valuing your time. Saying no to unpaid work that doesn’t serve your long-term goals is crucial to building a sustainable business.

Despite those challenges, Zineb’s love for creating content and exploring new places hasn’t faded. She often brings friends along on collaborations, turning work trips into shared adventures. “It’s so fun to experience these trips together and see new places with people I love,” she says. Those moments remind her why she started in the first place.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Looking back, Zineb’s journey has taught her that success doesn’t come from following a single formula—it comes from following curiosity and trusting your instincts. She didn’t set out to become a travel influencer; she simply followed what excited her and learned along the way.

She encourages aspiring creators to do the same. Start before you feel ready, stay consistent, and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. What makes your story unique is what will resonate most with your audience.

“I went to school for engineering, but my phone opened up a whole new world for me,” she says. “It’s crazy where life can take you when you just start.”

Her story is a powerful example of how creative passion, combined with persistence and strategy, can open unexpected doors.

Connect with Zineb

To follow more of Zineb’s adventures and see her latest travel guides, you can find her on Instagram at @zee.travel.