Today we’d like to introduce you to Isa Valdés.
Hi Isa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent my whole life searching for my “thing.” I took the steps that many people in life take, but I looked around and everyone around me had a skill, talent or that thing that really seemed to set them apart. What set me apart?
Fast forward, I was reaching a transition in my life and experiencing some health issues, and as I reevaluated my life, as we do, I decided it was time to prioritize what mattered to me most. I knew I wanted to spend my time traveling, going to great concerts and eating amazing food. I knew that whatever else I do, I would make these a part of my world every chance I could.
So when a friend of mine, in the travel industry invited me to do a ship tour, I had no idea how everything would finally come together for me. They walked us through suites I’d never dreamed I’d step inside, let us peek behind the curtain at spaces most travelers never see, were included in industry conversations that were eye-opening and then sat down to a 5-course lunch and I thought wait, people get to do this for a living? And from there I just knew what it meant to do what you love. I could merge my passions with a career and I finally found my thing.
Brink and Bliss Travel grew out of that turning point. The name reflects the idea of being on the brink of something new and choosing the path that feels like bliss. Building this business has been a process of learning what feels meaningful to me as an advisor and getting clearer about the kind of trips and experiences I want to focus on. That clarity is what shaped the brand I have now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Finding your thing and living it every day are two different things. When I decided to become a Travel Advisor (TA) it meant I became a small business owner. As any business owner will tell you, starting and growing a business is a lot of trial and error.
I operate as my own independent agency under a Cruise Planners franchise. I’ve had to learn everything I could about the travel industry, from building a client base from scratch, to figuring out the business side of things including marketing, social media, networking, systems and operations. Travel planning isn’t just “booking a trip.” It’s managing logistics, personalities, budgets, expectations, and a whole lot of moving parts. But then most importantly, I’ve had to learn what type of TA I wanted to be. I think that’s been the most challenging part because there’s this pull to do whatever you need to do to make the business work, but you can’t compromise yourself just to get a booking. So understanding your product, what you want for your clients and the type of service you want to provide has to be always challenged and reevaluated as you become a more experienced TA. I don’t want to just sell a trip people just check off their list. I want to create experiences that last, with stories for people to tell for a lifetime.
Networking also pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. When I joined professional networking groups like BNI, Business Network International, I learned how to talk about my work with clarity and confidence. Those connections have been huge for my growth. Once I stopped trying to “sell” and focused on building real relationships, I found myself having people approach me for travel. I learned to just continue to be myself and to connect with people the way I’ve always done in life. Figuring out that believing in yourself and what you do speaks for itself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cruise Planners – Brink and Bliss Travel?
People don’t come to me for a checklist. They can Google that. They come to me because I get their vibe, I understand what they want their trip to feel like, and I’m good at finding those thoughtful touches that make the experience better without adding unnecessary costs. It’s about making the most of what you’re investing, not spending more just to spend more.
I plan experience-centered trips that feel thoughtful, personal, and well organized from the very beginning. When someone reaches out to me, my first priority is understanding what they want out of their travel and shaping an itinerary that really reflects their travel style. I want every trip to feel special.
I handle the research, the planning, the logistics, and the small details that make everything run smoothly. It’s important to me that I can take that weight off the planning process for my travelers so that it feels easier. I love a good squeal from a client when everything has come together and you can present your client’s vision back to them in a beautifully well tailored itinerary.
I also plan group trips, whether it’s a friend trip, a milestone celebration, a family gathering, or an incentive trip for a team. Coordinating a group can get complicated quickly, and helping the organizer avoid the stress of managing the moving pieces is key.
I do all that with love and true excitement because planning a trip for someone is like planning it for myself. In fact, my travel list grows with every trip I plan for someone else!
I’m proud of what I’ve built and continue to build. I am constantly educating myself with certifications and real hands-on experiences, so I can bring true value to my clients. And I’m most proud of just doing it. Truly going balls to the wall and giving this dream everything I had. (If that sounds bold, it’s because it was.) I never dreamed I’d have my own company and it’s scary and exciting and exhausting all at once. But it feels amazing to try and see yourself grow and build while following your bliss.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Oh, so many lessons! But honestly, the biggest one has been remembering that travel is supposed to be fun. I’m in the business of helping people take a break from real life for a minute, and sometimes I have to remind myself of that too. I’m a naturally goofy person and I love to laugh, joke around, and create a space where my travelers feel comfortable and at ease.
Staying true to who I am, and delivering service in a way that reflects my personality, has been the most important lesson. When I stopped trying to sound “proper” or “industry perfect” and just let myself show up as me, everything became more natural. The connections became stronger, the planning became easier, and the whole experience became so much more genuine for me and for my travelers.
Pricing:
- As a Travel Advisor, I’m able to provide my services at no cost to the client. I’m paid by the travel partners (cruise lines, resorts, tour operators), not by the traveler.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://isavaldes.gonauticaltravel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinkandblisstravel_isa?igsh=cWlteHV5bWpwZWNw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569095908964
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isa-vald%C3%A9s-1aa0b323b/
Image Credits
Isa Valdés
