From Breaking News to Breaking Ground: Barbara Booth Is Redefining Travel Wellness

When Barbara Booth saw a gap in the travel industry—a lack of wellness-forward products designed with both sustainability and style—she didn’t wait for someone else to solve it. Along with co-founder Cornelia Quinn, they created Go-Be, a sleek line of reusable tray covers that are now redefining how people think about wellness on the move.

The idea was born out of a shared frustration with the lack of hygienic, elegant options for travelers—particularly for those with autoimmune issues or life-threatening allergies. What started as a simple solution became a mission.

“We wanted to design something meaningful without adding to the noise of single-use travel products that clutter the planet and do little to actually support wellness,” says Booth.

A Journalist’s Eye, an Entrepreneur’s Vision

Booth’s path to leadership wasn’t born in boardrooms. It was forged through years as an award-winning investigative journalist, where she learned to ask the hard questions, uncover unseen patterns, and tell stories that mattered.

Today she blends that same clarity and tenacity into Go-Be.

“I don’t believe in waiting for the right time,” Booth says. “You build something meaningful when you’re bold enough to start—even before the path is clear. Go-Be tray covers are a completely new product category that hasn’t really been done before. We’re not just introducing a new product, we’re promoting a new mindset around travel—one that values reusability, thoughtfulness, and the impact of small choices. And it’s a challenge we seem to be winning.” 

Go-Be’s tray covers are now sold on Amazon and in select retail channels and have been hailed as a game changer by frequent travelers and wellness experts alike. The brand has also been touted “a media darling,” earning attention from TODAY, Travel Weekly, and Luxury Travel Magazine, as well as CNBC, CBS and FOX News, and it continues to build momentum as a smart, elevated solution for people who want more comfort, cleanliness, and control in their travel experience.

Quinn, the company’s chief creative officer, is the visionary behind the designs and adds that functionality is just one part of the equation. “We wanted to create something that feels personal and special—something that feels like an extension of your own style. Many people who travel are stepping out of their comfort zone. Great design brings the sense of an elevated experience.”

A Brand Sparked by Compassion

The idea for Go-Be came from Quinn, whose son has autoimmune issues. For him traveling wasn’t just tiring, it was risky. Airplane tray tables, rarely cleaned between flights, could harbor germs and bacteria that posed a real threat to his health.

But it was Booth who recognized the opportunity to turn Quinn’s personal concerns into a broader movement, drawing on her instincts as an investigative journalist to explore the overlooked hygiene hazards of flying and the lack of stylish, sustainable solutions—a story the travel industry has long ignored.

This instinct to notice what others overlook is one of Booth’s greatest strengths and has laid the foundation for her transition into entrepreneurship. Years of uncovering untold stories and holding institutions accountable has sharpened her ability to identify real-world problems hiding in plain sight. She didn’t just see a dirty tray table; she saw a broader gap in how wellness was being ignored in travel. The skills she developed in the newsroom—asking the right questions, spotting patterns, and crafting narratives that resonate—prove invaluable as she continues to build a brand that aims to solve a problem while telling a powerful story.

She co-founded Go-Be with Quinn to redefine wellness in motion. Under her leadership, the company developed sleek, reusable tray table covers embedded with a non-toxic antimicrobial technology. Made from reclaimed materials and packaged in resealable plant-based pouches—an elegant, eco-conscious alternative the single-use disinfectant wipes dominating the market, many of which contain harsh chemicals and are made of synthetic fibers that never decompose.

A Market Ready to Listen

The concept caught on quickly. When the first batch launched, 150 units sold within hours—clear proof that travelers were ready for a smarter, more sustainable way to fly. From there, demand grew steadily as consumers embraced the idea of elevating their personal space with something that was not only functional but beautifully designed. Now for many travelers, grabbing a Go-Be tray cover is as second nature as reaching for their headphones.

What sets Go-Be apart isn’t just the innovation; it’s the intention behind it. Booth ensures that every detail reflects the brand’s values: wellness, sustainability, and elevated design. Early adopters included wellness-conscious travelers, parents, frequent flyers, and individuals with compromised immune systems and life-threatening allergies, who are all drawn to the brand’s clean aesthetic and meaningful mission.

As Go-Be gained traction, Booth steered the company through strategic partnerships, expanded its online presence, and introduced custom covers for corporate gifting and hospitality. She’s also leading the development of new product lines and expanding into healthcare settings, extending the brand’s mission well beyond the skies.

From strategic branding and product innovation to national media attention and commercial growth, Booth has guided Go-Be with vision and tenacity. What began as a hidden health risk is now a fast-growing brand at the intersection of wellness, sustainability, and style—led by a founder who continues to redefine what it means not just to “Go-Be” but to “Go-Be better.”

A Different Measure of Success

For Booth, success has never been about following a conventional path or measuring outcomes by revenue alone. After years in journalism, where impact was often felt more than seen, she brings that same values-driven lens to entrepreneurship. At Go-Be success is defined by the moments their products transform someone’s travel experience—from a rushed, impersonal flight to a space of comfort, intention, and care.

Yet Go-Be is more than a product. It’s a brand that stands for wellness without waste, for travel with meaning, and for the kind of small choices that leave a lasting impact. In a market flooded with disposable and quick fixes, Booth has introduced something quieter but more powerful—something that resonates with people who want to move through the world more consciously and to feel seen, supported, and more at home, no matter where they are.