Perfect shots: KC lifestyle blogger launches Depalo app to guide users to Instagram hot spots
July 2, 2019 | Michaela Kitchen
The perfect Instagram-worthy photo location could be within walking distance right now, said Kansas City-based lifestyle blogger Rebeeca Aneloski.
Rebeeca Aneloski, Depalo
A former Missouri representative on the Miss USA stage, Aneloski launched Depalo in June to help users locate picturesque locations across Kansas City — and eventually the globe, she said.
“I [initially] started a blog to continue connecting with others [after the Miss USA pageant], and it quickly came to my attention that finding awesome spots to take photos is no easy task,” said Aneloski.
Depalo offers GPS directions to colorful and interesting locations from Los Angeles to Miami, New York to Kansas City, as well as providing site-specific tips for capturing the best image.
Click here to download and explore Depalo.
A frequent traveler herself, Aneloski knows the struggles of trying to maintain a social media presence on the go — especially when unfamiliar with the local surroundings, she said. While on a trip to Sedona, Arizona, a couple years ago, she realized the potential for a wayfinding app that could point people to the perfect settings.
“I wanted to find some unique, photo-worthy spots in the area,” she recalled. “I didn’t scout beforehand, the sun was setting, it was a high-traffic season, and I said out loud, ‘I wish there was an app that led me to the exact location of the best photo ops near me at any given moment.’”
Millennials make Instagram opportunities a priority when planning trips, according to a 2018 study by UK-based holiday rental home insurance provider Schofields. Aneloski supports the findings, she said.
“When I travel abroad, I book a hotel in a central location to the photo ops I want to get,” Aneloski said, noting that photo sharing is a top way millennials communicate and share memories.
Businesses featured in or near high-traffic Instagram photo locations also are impacted by Depalo users, she said, referencing the value of organic and paid social media marketing.
“Restaurants are creating an Insta-worthy atmosphere because they know that’s important in today’s market,” Aneloski said. “We’ve seen a great response from local businesses who have been featured on the app.”
Depalo launched in the Apple Store, with plans to expand availability to Google Play, she said. Other next steps include building content, perfecting the in-app user experience, and expanding featured cities to international locales.
“We’re going global in 2020, starting with cities in Asia and Europe,” said Aneloski.
2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Peek inside: Made in KC Marketplace offers a glimpse of its new Plaza store (Photos)
Amid the bustle of traffic and construction in one of Kansas City’s most dominant shopping destinations, the Made in KC Marketplace has quietly been taking shape on the Country Club Plaza. The retailer — which specializes in showcasing wares crafted by local makers — opened the doors of its new location with little fanfare this…
iWerx Gladstone to expand Northland coworking, incubator options in former racquetball club
Two years after launching its sprawling flagship site in North Kansas City, a premiere coworking community is expected to debut iWerx Gladstone in late fall. The two-story, 32,000-square-foot space — originally built as a racquetball club and renovated into a traditional office building in the mid 1980s — will be home to about 80 offices,…
STL exit: Welltodo founder credits firm’s acquisition to early support from KC startup community
With the final deal still in the works Friday, Chris Cardinal said the acquisition of St. Louis-based Welltodo by SensorRX wouldn’t have been possible without the pre-seed rallying of his fellow entrepreneurs in Kansas City. Though the company moved across the state in 2016 to be closer to the co-founder’s in-laws, Cardinal said, the foundation for…
Simplifying access: PayIt teams with KCK Unified Government for enhanced myWyco app
Interacting with state and local government can and should be seamless, said Monica Harrell of PayIt, a KC tech firm that partnered its statewide iKan app with Wyandotte County’s myWyco app to create enhanced access for residents. “It’s a more streamlined experience,” said Harrell, senior client manager for Payit, “Especially because residents are not usually…