Influencers of the Week: Kenzo and Ben Reeves

Growing up on opposite sides of the world, travel couple Kenzo and Ben Reeves found each other after joining a Facebook group.

Kenzo, who is from Botswana, was in Florida working with the Disney College Program and direct messaged Ben, who is from Jacksonville, on Facebook. A platonic relationship “blossomed” into a romantic one, and their individual passions for travel turned into something they shared. 

“One [Facebook] DM turned into a forever adventure,” the couple said in a statement.

Kenzo and Ben began their travels together to places like St. Augustine and Miami, further expanding their reach to Europe and Africa over the 11 years they’ve been together. They would share travel photos and videos with those close to them, but saw the potential to reach a wider audience, beginning their journey as influencers.

“People were really enjoying our travels and it got to a point where we were just intentional about sharing and providing information and tips. We saw that people were really engaged and were into it,” Kenzo said.

The duo said their content is a blend of luxury, culture, and “down-to-earth adventures,” highlighting hidden gems and bucket list destinations from all over Florida to around the world.

Cruising through the Mediterranean last year for Kenzo’s birthday, they visited one of their favorite locations, somewhere they said would stay with them forever, the Vatican City. Ben had a surprise in store for her that would make this trip a lasting memory for them. Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, Kenzo was looking at the papal suites and upon turning around, she saw Ben down on one knee proposing to her years after they got married.

“It’s still something that will stay with me,” Kenzo said. “It was a very special moment.”

While sharing their own cherished memories on their platforms, they said they love connecting with their audience and want their followers to create their own moments. 

Ben said they noticed a knowledge gap where people are concerned about the safety, transportation, and accommodation, among other things, when it comes to traveling, and they would like to be able to educate their community where they can. 

Expanding their audience onto their YouTube channel and website, the couple said they would like to share details like hacks, itineraries, costs, freebies and more. They are also thinking of doing livestreams where fellow creators and travellers can share their stories and tips, creating a dialogue on their platform.

“It would provide a [space] for them to share their stories, tips, and tricks, with the rest of our audience, so it can be a nice community that is well knit together with us. Instead of it just being our face, and then everyone else talks to each other,” Ben said.

During their trips, they said they have gained more insight into what it is like spending so much time alone together and experiencing their locations to the fullest.

“Especially when you’re traveling as a married couple, because it’s just you two in another country,  you’re really connected at the hip and experiencing and doing everything together,” Ben said. “We each have our own unique perspective, and when we talk about it later on, about our memories, we compare our perspectives, and we help each other see things and in a different way than how we saw them at the time. So her experience would possibly be a little different than mine, and vice versa.”

As a couple, they said they have learned how to navigate different scenarios with each other while traveling.

“It’s easy when you are like best friends, it helps because you’re not always going to get along or agree,” Kenzo said. “I think it takes a lot of patience and understanding each other and maybe accepting certain things. Just trying your best. But then, sometimes there must be discipline.” 

Ben suggests “making deposits and withdrawals,” figuratively speaking. By deposits, he said he meant investing time doing what his partner wants to do, so he will be able to make a withdrawal and do what he wants to do another time.

“If we’re both willing to make those give-and-takes, then the trip will go just fine,” Ben said.

While their travel portfolio is vast, they emphasized how much more of Florida, more specifically Central Florida, they would like to explore and share.

“We live where people vacation,” Kenzo said. “In order to show [our audience] Florida, we have to know Florida and explore Florida ourselves, and tell people where to go and what to do here.”

A few of their favorite Central Florida spots include Timberline Glamping at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve and the Beer Spa in Orlando.

As they continue to grow as a couple and travel influencers, Kenzo and Ben look back at the days when it all started with a Facebook message with gratitude. For now, they said they are excited to continue documenting their travels and sharing with their audience.

“When you travel, you feel recharged,” Kenzo said. “We always feel so refreshed, and both of us always come back feeling good. I think it also brings us closer together.”

Instagram: @kenzoandben

To join in our upcoming editions of “Influencer of the Week,”please reach out to catie.moore@lifestyles.cfl.com