About Us
Our Story
Hello! This is Chen, founder of Perf. I’m so glad you’re here, and let me share a little bit of my story.
I’m Chinese, born and raised in Japan, and moved to the U.S. as a teen. Growing up across multiple cities and countries made me endlessly curious about different cultures and perspectives, and that curiosity has taken me to over 20 countries solo in the past decade.
Traveling alone has given me more than freedom and flexibility. It sparked a deeper sense of self-discovery and cultural immersion, pushing me to become a bolder version of myself, form meaningful connections with people from all walks of life, and constantly challenge my default assumptions about what’s possible.
On the practical side, traveling solo also means having fewer resources to make the most of a trip.
I still think about moments that I missed but could have happened: the perfect sunset photo by Dubai Creek Harbour in my favorite summer dress, a spontaneous countryside visit in the northern Philippines that I couldn’t figure out how to reach, and countless local experiences I never quite uncovered.
For years, I wished I could hire a local for a few hours while traveling — pay a fair local rate and count on them to access parts of a trip I couldn’t reach alone. On my latest trip, that thought hit me harder than ever, and I knew I had to make it happen — for myself and every traveler who’s ever felt their journey could’ve been more with a little help. That’s how Perf. was born.
Perf. is a resource travelers never had but always needed — because every traveler deserves support abroad to unlock the full potential of their journey.
We connect you with locals you can rely on, help you check off your travel wishlist, and make every trip smoother, richer, and more personal.
We’re bringing Perf. to more corners of the world, so every trip feels limitless, wherever you go. It’s a bold mission, but every gig moves us a step closer.
Launching in Tokyo — one city, one connection, one story at a time.
