‘GO Deck’ is dad promoting daughter in urban tourism
She created The GO Deck, which “is 52 cards — one for every week of the year — featuring outdoor locations within an urban environment,” Ratnikova said. “On one side you’ve got a color photo showcasing the location; and on the other, there are details, such as what’s unique about that spot, how to get active there and nearby attractions also worthwhile.
“I focus on urban environments because it’s more easily accessible, and thus, affordable for everyone,” the East Tennessee native added. “Whether you want to be selective with which location to visit or just pick a card, any card, and leave your outing to luck, The GO Deck makes getting out and about fun and easy.”
Ratnikova also created and patented a children’s card game, GO Deck, in which children can play while traveling.
It was inspired by her daughter.
“It thrills me,” Hensley said about his daughter’s creation. “She’s got the drive to do it.”
However, he recalled when Ratnikova first started talking about The Go Deck cards. “I didn’t understand it” but “I was impressed she was able to do it,” Hensley said.
“Starting a small business and bringing a product to life has been quite the journey,” Ratnikova said. “I’m pleased with what I’ve been able to accomplish so far and hope to continue improving the products so I can reach more people in more cities.”
The GO Deck is $20 and the children’s GO Deck is $12. Both are available online at thegodeck.com
Raised in Roane County, she graduated from Midway High School and later Austin-Peay State University, earning an undergraduate degree in organic chemistry. From there, she graduated from University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in International Fair with hopes of going into government.
However, after a one-year internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Ratnikova was hired there — but she now works for Velia and lives in San Diego with husband, Khristian Cainday, and daughter, Lea Ratnikova, 8.
With a love for the outdoors, Hensley said his daughter did a lot of bike racing and cycling; but when COVID-19 first hit the nation, many events were cancelled, so she took walks instead.
“With many places off limits in those early months of the pandemic, I started walking around various San Diego neighborhoods as an excuse to get out of my small apartment and also to help burn off my daughter Lea’s energy (she was 3 years old at the time),” Ratnikova recalled.
“Prior to this, I often thought of nature being in ‘The Great Outdoors’ — i.e., national parks, wild and remote places — but these urban outings shifted my perception,” she added. “I realized that even within city limits, we have an abundance of natural attractions. I only needed to adjust the lens through which I was viewing my surroundings to see the flora, fauna and wildlife in my backyard.
“I shared stories of my urban nature outings with anyone who would listen, and many suggested I find a way to share them more broadly, like through a blog, Instagram account, etc. Since I’m not particularly tech savvy, that didn’t appeal to me; but after being gifted an informational card deck, the inspiration struck to capture my outings in a physical product.”
Having to break a bad habit, “I’m guilty of often staying in the bubble around my home or work office and not getting out to see more of my city,” she conceded. “I’m also a creature of habit — once I find a trail I like, I’ll keep visiting it instead of trying something new.
“The GO Deck is a great tool for helping folks like me — comfortable in their bubbles or stuck in a routine — to see new places not that far from home,” Ratnikova added. “Though pocket-sized, the cards pack quite a bit of detail and can be read within just a few minutes — perfect for short attention spans or parents who are constantly interrupted by their children.
“The cards are also a great tool if you’ve ever been stumped when a friend or family member asks you, ‘What do you want to do today/this weekend?’ It’s a screen-free way to choose an outing with friends and family. As a parent, I especially love handing it over to my child and letting her decide what we should do, and she loves being in charge.
It’s also quite useful “for when out-of-towners are visiting and seeking places to visit and things to do,” Ratnikova said.
“I consider a life of abundance one spent with friends and family, so when I create a product, my goal is to bring people together,” she added. “I also cherish my time outdoors and in the natural world. Spending time outside helps me live a happier, healthier life, so I hope my products help others do the same.”
While not in retail shops yet, she does offer her cards wholesale and “would like to give customers an opportunity to buy the deck in-person and support another local business,” Ratnikova said.
“I encourage any local shops to reach out and discuss how we can get The GO Deck in their store!”
