From Corporate to Cruises: My First Steps into Travel Entrepreneurship

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After making the leap, I was all in. I took everything I’d learned from corporate compliance—the attention to detail, the need to problem-solve, and the ability to handle high-stakes situations—and applied it to my new adventure in the travel world. But this time, it was different. I wasn’t just helping a company meet its quotas or protect its assets. I was helping people make memories—those big, life-changing experiences that they would talk about for years to come.

At first, I wasn’t sure where to start. I took a deep dive into the travel industry, getting certified in all things cruises, and joining Cruise Planners as an independent advisor. I remember feeling both excited and terrified at the same time. My knowledge of compliance made me meticulous about planning—whether it was reviewing a client’s itinerary or ensuring their travel insurance was in place. Every detail mattered. But what excited me the most was this: I was no longer behind a desk—I was crafting experiences, exploring new destinations, and watching my clients’ faces light up when they discovered something new. That was my new “desk.”

As a new travel advisor, I knew this wouldn’t be an overnight success. But with the risk I’d taken, I was determined to make it work. I turned my passion into a full-fledged business and began curating group travel experiences—offering my clients what no one else could: true, personalized adventure. From organizing group cruises to ensuring every detail was flawless, I learned fast, and I loved it.

The day I booked my first large group cruise, I knew there was no going back. I had created something I could truly be proud of, and I was on a path that felt right for the first time in years.

This journey hasn’t been easy—it’s been a rollercoaster of learning, unlearning, and finding the courage to step out of my comfort zone. But it’s been worth every single moment.