In this episode, Grace sits down with Travel Weekly senior editor Jamie Biesiada to talk about what actually gets a travel business covered in the press. If you've ever wondered why your pitch didn’t land—or what editors are really looking for—this conversation breaks it down.
Jamie shares how the retail travel press works, what makes a story newsworthy, and how travel advisors and business owners can pitch with purpose. They cover the dos and don’ts of media outreach, the difference between trade and consumer coverage, and why a little research goes a long way.
Whether you're trying to get featured, launch a podcast, or just build better media relationships, this episode will help you sharpen your approach and get results.
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What the retail travel press actually covers
How to tailor a pitch for trade media
The role of networking in getting noticed
How podcasts can boost visibility
Jamie’s advice for sharing your story without sounding salesy
Listen to Jamie's Trade Secrets Podcast
Connect with Grace on Instagram or LinkedIn for more content.
In this episode of Office Hours, Grace Van Hollebeke welcomes David Shull, CEO and co-founder of Tern, for a candid conversation about his journey from Michigan Tech to building a transformative travel technology platform. David shares how his early days at Handshake inspired his passion for creating impactful technology, and how a travel mishap in Greece sparked the idea for Tern.
Grace and David discuss Tern’s recent acquisition of Lucia (Grace's company) and why pairing great technology with high-quality services is essential for empowering travel advisors. They also unpack the importance of choosing the right VC partners who share a vision for supporting, rather than displacing, travel advisors, which is a refreshing stance in the world of venture capital.
Key moments include:
- David’s journey from Handshake to Tern
- The turning point that led to Lucia’s acquisition
- The role of technology and services in scaling travel advisors’ businesses
- How Tern’s platform is designed to eliminate invisible work
- Why their VC partners are committed to building with, not against, travel advisors
If you’re a travel advisor or agency owner looking to supercharge your business, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and human-driven industries, this episode is a must-listen.
Connect with Grace on Instagram or LinkedIn for more.
Follow Along:
If you're a travel advisor running a $1M+ business or building toward it, this episode is a tactical guide to using SOPs to scale your operations without losing your personal touch.
Grace shares the real processes top-performing advisors use to run their businesses more efficiently. From qualifying high-value leads to pre-trip QA and post-trip rebooking, you’ll hear practical examples, tools, and frameworks that help you delegate with confidence and create a more repeatable, profitable business.
In This Episode:
This episode is for any advisor who wants to grow strategically and stop reinventing the wheel.
📩 Have a question for Grace to answer on the pod? Email mcbride1591@gmail.com
In this Office Hours episode, Grace sits down with Mike Greene, CEO of Skylark, to talk about how technology, spontaneity, and personalization are reshaping the future of luxury travel.
After years of working with top innovators and luxury travelers, Mike saw a gap in the market: travelers wanted high-end experiences—but booked at the pace of their fast-moving lives. He shares how Skylark is meeting that demand, why modern luxury is about flexibility, and how his team is blending human expertise with smart tech to deliver unforgettable trips.
Grace and Mike dive into what today’s luxury traveler really wants, why personalization beats perfection, and how Skylark built a platform that serves discerning clients without losing the human touch. If you’ve ever wondered how luxury brands stay ahead in a world that moves faster than ever, this episode is a must-listen.
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Need help bringing more personalization to your business? Lucia CoPilots can support you behind the scenes. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for personalized recommendations.
In this Office Hours episode, Grace sits down with Lila Fox, founder of Lila Fox Travel Company, to talk about the unconventional path to success in luxury travel: doing less on purpose.
After a fast-paced career in engineering, Lila built a high-touch, high-impact business rooted in creativity, discretion, and calm. She shares why she turned down more clients, cut her list by 75%, and walked away from a top-producing role—all to build a business that felt more like hers.
Grace and Lila dive into what it actually means to serve ultra-high-net-worth clients, how to succeed without hiring a team, and why not every business needs a complicated tech stack or SOP playbook. If you’ve ever felt pressured to scale just because everyone else is, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, productivity, and freedom.
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Need help simplifying your business? Lucia CoPilots can support you behind the scenes. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for personalized recommendations.
In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke sits down with George Munguia, co-founder of Coconut VA, to talk about the silent killer of most growing businesses: operator mode.
Most founders are stuck in the weeds, working in the business instead of on it. George shares exactly how he broke out of the cycle by building systems, creating SOPs, and delegating with intention — even on a scrappy budget.
Grace and George break down the subtle signs that you’re stuck in operator mode without even realizing it, how to delegate without sacrificing quality or control, and a step-by-step method for creating SOPs—even if you’re a solopreneur. They also dive into what to focus on once you free up your time, the biggest mistakes people make when outsourcing, and why just “posting on social” isn’t a real growth strategy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and can’t seem to scale, this episode will help you reclaim your time and get back to being the CEO.
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Try This Challenge:
This week, audit your calendar. Write down everything you do. Highlight what only you can do—and delegate the rest.
Need help building SOPs or hiring a virtual assistant? Lucia CoPilots can get you out of the weeds. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for recommendations.
Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a founder friend who's ready to scale.
In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke shares the real difference between hiring an Executive Assistant and an Operations hire—and why getting this wrong is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes founders make.
Most founders default to “I need ops” when they’re overwhelmed, but what they really need is someone to take the day-to-day off their plate. Grace walks through what each role actually does, how to figure out which one your business needs right now, and the self-awareness questions every founder should ask before posting a job. From delegation style to business hygiene, this episode helps you make a smart, strategic hire that unlocks real capacity—not just a fancy title. If you’re hiring support or feeling stuck in the weeds, listen to this before you waste time and money on the wrong person.
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Grace Van Hollebeke: LinkedIn | Instagram
Lucia: Website
Try This Challenge: This week, list out what’s draining you vs. what’s breaking in the business. Then DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) and she’ll send you the free worksheet to help you decide who to hire next.
Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a fellow founder who’s thinking about hiring.
In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke sits down with Arianna Sartzetakis, founder of Uncover More, to dive into how she built a trusted digital brand uncovering the world's hidden gems. What started as a side project in New York City has grown into a global platform, earning Arianna a Forbes feature and a devoted following of curious travelers.
In this episode, Arianna shares how she built a community-first brand and how she grew it into a full-time business. If you want to build a travel brand, grow your audience, and create content that stands out, this episode is full of insights.
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Want to see Arianna’s work in action? Follow @UncoverMore on Instagram & TikTok
Grace Van Hollebeke: LinkedIn | hello@letslucia.com
Lucia: Website
Try This Challenge:
This week, engage with your audience like Arianna does—reply to every comment, DM, and email with genuine thoughtfulness. Notice how your community grows.
Need help structuring your content strategy? Lucia’s CoPilots can create a custom content plan tailored to your brand. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for recommendations.
Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a fellow travel entrepreneur!
In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke shares why most travel advisors struggle with referrals—and how a simple system can change everything. Instead of hoping clients will refer them, top advisors engineer referrals consistently and effortlessly. Grace breaks down:
If you want a predictable, steady stream of new clients, this episode gives you the exact steps to make it happen.
Want our full (& free) Networking Playbook? 👉 GET HERE
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Try This Challenge:
This week, send one message to a past client using the script from this episode. See how many referrals come in.
Need help setting up a referral system? Lucia’s CoPilots can build it for you in just a few hours. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for recommendations.
Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a fellow travel advisor.
In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke sits down with Karen Magee, President of Valerie Wilson Travel, to discuss leading a legacy luxury travel brand into the future. Karen shares her journey from finance to travel, the values that define exceptional hospitality, and how travel advisors can stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape.
They explore what it takes to scale a high-touch luxury brand while staying true to its roots, the power of strong client relationships, and how evolving technology is shaping the industry. Plus, Karen shares candid insights on leadership, balancing career and family, and the lessons she’s learned stepping into this role during a pivotal time for Valerie Wilson Travel.
If you're looking to build a lasting brand in travel, this episode is full of insights on growth, differentiation, and high-impact leadership.
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Karen Magee: LinkedIn | Valerie Wilson Travel
Grace Van Hollebeke: LinkedIn
Lucia: Website
🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend!
In this Office Hours episode, Grace sits down with Nikita Leca, a branding and content strategist specializing in travel and hospitality. Nikita shares her journey from working a 9-to-5 to launching her own business, overcoming the fear of putting herself out there, and building a personal brand that attracts ideal clients.
They discuss the importance of branding, storytelling, and content strategy—plus, practical ways to engage your audience, leverage UGC, and optimize your online presence. If you've ever struggled with what to post or how to stand out, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
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🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend!
In this episode of Office Hours, Grace Van Hollebeke talks about overcoming the fear of posting on social media and how personal branding can help grow your business. Drawing from her own experiences, she shares thoughtful tips and practical strategies to help you show up authentically, create content that resonates, and build trust with your audience. Whether you're just starting out or looking for fresh ideas, this episode offers a supportive and approachable guide to feeling more confident online.
Key Moments:
(00:01) Welcome & Why This Matters: Why your personal brand is your business brand — and how leaning into it builds trust and opens doors.
(02:00) Overcoming the Fear of Posting: How to stop stressing about what people think and start showing up online with confidence.
(05:00) Consistency Beats Perfection: Why being top of mind matters way more than crafting perfect posts.
(08:00) Content Ideas That Work: Behind-the-scenes stories, personal milestones, and lessons from your business journey that people actually want to see.
(12:00) Content Pillars for Consistency: How to create 4-5 content pillars that simplify your content strategy and keep you showing up consistently.
(18:00) Progress Over Perfection: Why starting messy is better than not starting at all — and how practice builds confidence.
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Grace sits down for a spontaneous Friday afternoon chat about how to actually market a small business. Drawing from her experiences working with entrepreneurs in travel, tech, and hospitality, Grace shares creative, no-nonsense strategies that go beyond the usual “post on social media” advice. This solo session is packed with practical tips on email marketing, content creation, partnerships, and more—all focused on getting results without breaking the bank.
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In this Office Hours episode, Grace sits down with Ellen Yui, founder of Yui+Company, a trailblazing communications consultancy celebrating 33 years of success. Ellen shares her journey from a young leader in a big Irish family to launching her own company while pregnant and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Ellen discusses the importance of values, joy, and authenticity in business and life with candor and humor.
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In this Office Hours episode, we sit down with Irving Betesh, the Co-Founder & CEO of SION, who defied the odds to build a successful business in the travel and tech industries. Known for his passion, straightforward approach, and ability to thrive under pressure, Irving shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a respected name in his field. From attending a life-changing Tony Robbins seminar in his 20s to selling a watch to pay rent in his early days, Irving has consistently demonstrated that hard work and resilience can open doors.
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In this episode of Office Hours, Grace hosts an engaging conversation with David Chait, CEO and Founder of Travefy, the go-to platform for travel advisors who need a powerful way to streamline trip planning, communication, and client engagement. David walks us through his journey from corporate strategy consulting at McKinsey to a pivotal role at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he was immersed in the challenges of small businesses during the Great Recession. Inspired by these experiences, David caught the entrepreneurial bug and set out to create Travefy, a platform initially aimed at consumers that found its true mission in supporting travel advisors.
David shares the critical moments and hard-won insights behind Travefy’s growth, from navigating product-market fit to self-funding for long-term sustainability. He reveals how Travefy balanced listening to user feedback with strategic foresight to build a suite of tools tailored specifically for travel advisors, ultimately helping them succeed on their own terms. In this episode, you’ll hear how Travefy tackled the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, built trust in the advisor community, and why staying mission-driven has been key to their success. Plus, David dives into the qualities he values in his team and his strategic approach to innovation and offers sage advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on setting both success and “off-track” metrics.
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In this episode, Grace interviews Caroline Casson, Partner at VITALIZE Venture Capital, a seed-stage fund investing in the future of work. Caroline shares her unconventional path into venture capital, starting from a corporate finance role at GE to helping incubate a startup in the drone industry with GE Ventures. She discusses her transition to VITALIZE, the evolution of the fund’s thesis, and the importance of having a focus when sourcing deals. Caroline dives into the qualities she looks for in founders, from attention to detail to passion for solving specific problems. She reflects on navigating the VC landscape while staying grounded amidst hype cycles. She also shares practical advice for founders on evaluating their company's potential for venture funding and the benefits of capital efficiency.
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In this episode, Grace interviews Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, a global luxury travel network with over 1,000 agency locations and 20,000 advisors across more than 50 countries. Matthew shares his journey, beginning with his family's travel legacy, to leading Virtuoso and growing it into a network that recorded more than $26 billion in annual sales. He discusses the company’s founding principles, its evolution through technological changes, and his insights into building a human-centric business. Matthew delves into how Virtuoso has embraced technology to amplify human connections, maintained its focus on personalized travel experiences, and navigated market changes. He also offers valuable advice on leadership, business strategy, and staying curious in an ever-changing industry.
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In this episode, Ashwin Kamlani shares his dynamic journey from an e-commerce pioneer at Melia Hotels to becoming a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Juicer. Ashwin dives deep into the critical moments that shaped his career, including how he transformed Melia’s e-commerce strategy from the ground up, his leap into entrepreneurship after a bold offer from a Danish entrepreneur, and his decision to bootstrap his first company.
Ashwin highlights the lessons he learned from bootstrapping versus raising capital and shares his unique perspective on transparency, leadership, and balancing the personal with the professional. From walking into meetings with the chairman of Melia as a young leader to driving across the U.S. in a pink polka-dot RV with his daughter—meeting clients along the way—Ashwin offers powerful insights into the entrepreneurial mindset. He also reflects on the importance of staying true to yourself in business and how bringing his personal life into his professional world has helped him build trust and lasting relationships.
Throughout the episode, Ashwin candidly discusses the challenges of scaling a business, the tough calls he's had to make, and why intuition and authenticity remain his guiding principles.
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In this episode, Dmitry Koltunov shares his inspiring journey from a software engineer in Ukraine to becoming a successful entrepreneur, founding two companies, ALICE and Arbor. He emphasizes the power of storytelling in both the hospitality and nonprofit sectors, explaining how emotional connections can drive impact and engagement. Dmitry explores the qualities that define successful founders, including resilience, curiosity, and self-awareness, and he stresses the significance of customer feedback in driving business growth. Reflecting on his experiences in the Startup Leadership Program, Dmitry offers valuable insights on entrepreneurship, creativity, and collaboration.
Dmitry also draws parallels between the world of theater and startups, underscoring how creativity and teamwork play essential roles in building successful ventures. He highlights the potential for impact in the nonprofit sector, sharing how emotional storytelling can lead to higher donations and stronger engagement. Throughout the conversation, Dmitry emphasizes the importance of passion for the problem at hand and the ongoing need for sales and customer connection in sustaining a startup's success.
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This episode offers a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling, AI, and business growth.
