If you're anything like me, you love a good story. The kind that begins with "I’ve always wanted to go to…” and unfolds into deep conversation about bucket-list cities, unforgettable meals, or that first magical leap into something new. That’s the true magic of travel—it brings people together in ways that feel rooted and real.
For the longest time, I didn’t think of myself as someone who “networked.” It felt too stiff. Too business-blazery. But then something shifted. I realized networking, at least in the travel space, isn’t about slick pitches or perfect elevator speeches. It’s about presence. It’s about listening with intention. It’s about people.
What Connection Actually Looks Like
When I stepped into this industry, I didn’t have a big platform. I didn’t have an insider’s edge. I had curiosity. I had the drive to help people explore the world and maybe-just maybe-help them discover more freedom along the way.
What I did have were conversations. Lots of them.
I listened when someone told me they felt stuck. I paid attention when someone’s eyes lit up talking about Paris, or Portugal, or finally taking their kids to see the Grand Canyon. Those weren’t just passing comments. They were quiet invitations. Seeds waiting to be planted.
And what bloomed from those small moments? A travel-based business built not on selling, but on serving.
This Isn’t Just About Business Cards
You don’t need a title or a plan. Maybe you’re the friend everyone texts when it’s time to plan a girls’ trip or find the best place for a weekend escape. Maybe you just like swapping stories over coffee or talking books that make you want to pack a bag.
That’s all networking is-showing up, sharing stories, creating space for possibility.
Here’s what travel-based connection might look like:
- Sharing your favorite little-known city with someone who just needs a reset
- Helping a friend plan a trip that finally brings their family back together
- Connecting over a shared longing for more flexibility or purpose
- Offering a new perspective to someone who didn’t know this kind of life was even an option
None of that’s transactional. It’s transformational.
A Season of Momentum
This September, I’m heading to an international travel convention where several thousand of us will gather. Business owners, dreamers, side-hustlers, and freedom-chasers from around the world—all under one roof. It’s loud, it’s inspiring, and it’s overflowing with connection.
I always leave with more ideas, more tools, and more fire in my belly to help others step into this space. There’s a certain kind of energy that only comes when you’re surrounded by people who get it.
That’s when I’m reminded: this life I’ve built didn’t start with a big launch. It started with a single conversation.
You Don’t Have to Know What’s Next
You don’t have to be building a business. You don’t even have to be “ready.” You just have to be open to the idea that something different might be possible.
So whether you’re a traveler, a book club friend, a busy professional craving a new rhythm, or just someone who feels the pull of something more-you’re already part of this story.
And if you ever want to talk about what building a travel-based life could look like for you, I’m always up for that conversation.
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