This week Nicola and Di chat with entrepreneur and visionary, Mennan Yelkenci. Mennan was awarded the 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is the founder of Booked.ai, the world's first IATA-accredited AI travel agent. Mennan swapped a career in corporate ASX roles for the world of startups, and we loved hearing his story and the exciting projects he’s working on. 

In this episode, we chat to Mennan about the path that led him here. From consulting on renewable energy projects (and helping international developers communicate with Aussie farmers), to building Apify to solve his own frustrations with outsourced tech development, and finally launching Booked.ai, an IATA-accredited AI travel agent, to help plan and book your next trip. Mennan is an amazing example of someone who spots a problem and builds the solution.

We get into exactly how Booked.ai works, the built-in duty-of-care safeguards that check destination safety before you fly, right through to the reassurance that real human travel agents are still there on the back end when something needs a personal touch. Mennan is clear that Booked.ai isn't here to replace human travel agents, but to offer an alternative for the times you just want it sorted, fast and to disrupt the online booking space. 

We also talk about our love of travel, Mennan’s Turkish heritage and his incredible tips for a Turkey itinerary (Istanbul, Alaçatı, Bodrum and Cappadocia are all must-dos), and what makes him tick as a new dad and a serial entrepreneur.

We had such a great time with Mennan. His energy, ambition and vision for the future of travel are infectious. We hope you love this episode as much as we did!

This episode is proudly supported by Montgomery Investment Management, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or investor@montinvest.com

Follow Mennan on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/mennannn/

Follow Booked AI on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/booked.ai/

Find out more about Booked AI and use it here - https://booked.ai/

Follow Booked AI on LinkedIn here - au.linkedin.com/company/booked-ai

Follow Mennan on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mennan-yelkenci/

Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/ 

Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f

Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts

 

This week Nicola and Di chat with entrepreneur and visionary, Mennan Yelkenci. Mennan was awarded the 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is the founder of&nbsp;<a href="http://booked.ai">Booked.ai</a>, the world's first IATA-accredited AI travel agent. Mennan swapped a career in corporate ASX roles for the world of startups, and we loved hearing his story and the exciting projects he&rsquo;s working on.&nbsp;
In this episode, we chat to Mennan about the path that led him here. From consulting on renewable energy projects (and helping international developers communicate with Aussie farmers), to building Apify to solve his own frustrations with outsourced tech development, and finally launching <a href="http://booked.ai">Booked.ai</a>, an IATA-accredited AI travel agent, to help plan and book your next trip. Mennan is an amazing example of someone who spots a problem and builds the solution.
We get into exactly how Booked.ai works, the built-in duty-of-care safeguards that check destination safety before you fly, right through to the reassurance that real human travel agents are still there on the back end when something needs a personal touch. Mennan is clear that Booked.ai isn't here to replace human travel agents, but to offer an alternative for the times you just want it sorted, fast and to disrupt the online booking space.&nbsp;
We also talk about our love of travel, Mennan&rsquo;s Turkish heritage and his incredible tips for a Turkey itinerary (Istanbul, Ala&ccedil;atı, Bodrum and Cappadocia are all must-dos), and what makes him tick as a new dad and a serial entrepreneur.
We had such a great time with Mennan. His energy, ambition and vision for the future of travel are infectious. We hope you love this episode as much as we did!
This episode is proudly supported by <a href="https://investwith.montinvest.com/otbf">Montgomery Investment Management</a>, trusted experts helping you build and protect your financial future. For further information, please contact David Buckland, Chief Executive Officer or Rhodri Taylor, Account Manager on (02) 8046 5000 or <a href="mailto:investor@montinvest.com">investor@montinvest.com</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mennannn/">Follow Mennan on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/mennannn/</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/booked.ai/">Follow Booked AI on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/booked.ai/</a>
<a href="https://booked.ai/">Find out more about Booked AI and use it here - https://booked.ai/</a>
<a href="http://au.linkedin.com/company/booked-ai">Follow Booked AI on LinkedIn here - au.linkedin.com/company/booked-ai</a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mennan-yelkenci/">Follow Mennan on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mennan-yelkenci/</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/">Follow Nicola and Di on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/overthebackfencepodcast/&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f">Find out more about the India trip, access the itinerary and book your place here - https://wetu.com/ItineraryOutputs/Discovery/78191347-4d64-4c52-acfd-5422d92ec90f</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts">Watch Over The Back Fence on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/@Overthebackfencepodcast/podcasts</a>
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Di Edwards and Nicola Dale have been best friends for close to four decades & they actually share a ‘back fence’ in Sydney! 
They share a love of life, a passion for people, and have discovered a simple conversation over the back fence, can change a life and give a sense of belonging . 

“We’re not neuroscientists, psychologists, doctors or monks - we just love people - and know with age comes wisdom."

Di Edwards and Nicola Dale have been best friends for close to four decades &amp; they actually share a ‘back fence’ in Sydney!  They share a love of life, a passion for people, and have discovered a simple conversation over the back fence, can change a life and give a sense of belonging . 
“We’re not neuroscientists, psychologists, doctors or monks - we just love people - and know with age comes wisdom."

Over the Back Fence

Over the back fence is a podcast by two incredible women in their 50’s and 60’s - for women.

Di and Nicola have an infectious energy that is bound to light you up. It’s a podcast which values community, connection and lifting each other up. 

Here, Di and Nicola will delve in to the highs and lows they’ve experienced in life… From starting a family, experiencing marriage breakdowns, to embracing new beginnings. They’ll discuss the lessons they’re still learning, and interview people with inspiring stories to tell. 

Di and Nicola will invite guests on OTBF from all over the globe. From close friends, entrepreneurs, comedians, councillors to motivators and life coaches - to unlock their wisdom and have a laugh along the way.

Over the back fence is a podcast by two incredible women in their 50’s and 60’s - for women.
Di and Nicola have an infectious energy that is bound to light you up. It’s a podcast which values community, connection and lifting each other up. 
Here, Di and Nicola will delve in to the highs and lows they’ve experienced in life… From starting a family, experiencing marriage breakdowns, to embracing new beginnings. They’ll discuss the lessons they’re still learning, and interview people with inspiring stories to tell. 
Di and Nicola will invite guests on OTBF from all over the globe. From close friends, entrepreneurs, comedians, councillors to motivators and life coaches - to unlock their wisdom and have a laugh along the way.