Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kayla Barrera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kayla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I started a travel business during Covid 2020.
Travel has always been a priority for me. Whenever I had the chance, I would use my PTO creatively to embark on solo trips, documenting my journeys on Instagram. I’ve always believed in not waiting to travel, even if it means going alone. Over time, I gained a following and started receiving numerous DMs asking about my destinations, costs, accommodations, and tours. I realized I was giving away valuable advice for free and saw an opportunity to turn my passion into something profitable.

In 2019, while leading the marketing efforts for Swire Properties in Miami, I decided to invest time and money into partnering with a travel agency. I immersed myself in learning everything I could about the industry, setting up a website, creating templates, and more. I planned to launch my travel business after a group trip to Morocco in March 2020, which was set to be my first blog as a travel advisor. However, just as I was preparing, the onset of COVID-19 disrupted my plans. I faced a tough decision: delay launching my new business or take a risk and move forward despite the global shutdown. I chose to take the risk. I launched my business and shifted my messaging to focus on hope for future travel plans—life after COVID-19. With people in quarantine for extended periods, I aimed to inspire excitement by sharing safe travel options for when borders reopened and explaining how post-pandemic travel would work. Since then I haven’t stopped trip planning and have expanded the business in travel hosting as well. The risk was well worth it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Kayla Barrera, born and raised in Miami, Florida, in a Hispanic family. From a young age, I was an adventure seeker, and traveling with my family was always the highlight of my year. I worked hard to make travel a regular part of my life. I studied Advertising at the Miami International University of Art and Design and became an Art Director for a local magazine in South Florida. My creativity has always driven me to grow and improve professionally.

After years in the magazine industry, I shifted my career to real estate development, working with One Sotheby’s International Realty and Swire Properties on one of Miami’s most transformative projects. As I advanced in the industry, I noticed that my professional growth often followed time spent traveling. I’ve always maximized my PTO, and in my early 20s, I started traveling solo because I didn’t want to wait for others to explore the world. Every time I traveled and met new people from all walks of life, I returned with renewed energy and ideas, which positively impacted my work.

I kept my professional life separate from my travel life, documenting my adventures on Instagram. As I organically captured my raw experiences, I noticed a steady increase in followers and an influx of DMs with questions about my trips. Many women reached out, asking how I managed to travel solo and whether I was ever scared. My simple answer was that I would be more scared not to live my life.

Over time, this interaction evolved into a form of mentorship, where I offered free advice and encouragement. It became clear that I could turn my passion for travel into a business. My main goal was to show people that travel isn’t as difficult as it might seem and that there are many ways to make it happen. This realization led to the creation of KaylaBar Travels. The core purpose of my business is to remove the stress from travel, allowing people to focus solely on the memories they can make.

I also discovered that people love hearing my insider tips, as I’ve visited most of the places they want to explore. Solo travel, which played a significant role in the birth of my business, has now expanded into a second facet: travel hosting. I now lead trips around the world for those who are hesitant to travel alone or anxious about visiting foreign places. As their travel buddy and host, I provide comfort and safety, helping them explore confidently and comfortably.

As my business grew, I drew on my creative background to build my brand. I created my own website, designed email newsletters, crafted itineraries, and managed social media posts—all leveraging the skills I developed in my previous roles. It’s gratifying to see how my past experiences have contributed to the success of my business, but what I’m most proud of is the loyalty of my clients. I’ve had repeat travelers on my trips and clients who continue to trust me with their travel plans, which, to me, is one of the best investments they can make.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped me build my reputation within the market is that I have always been very authentic and organic. I mix in my business with what I am doing personally. People have told me they like seeing my experiences and it motivates them to book the trip. I also do not shy away from some of the struggles that can happen which provides real content, not perfect content.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients has truly been referrals from past clients. A lot of my clients have become repeat clients and have introduced me to family and friends! It’s one of the most rewarding feelings when a past client connects me with someone new. I strive to keep relationships with all my clients by keeping in touch often. When I onboard a new client, I do my best to make them feel like they are talking to a friend which makes them feel more comfortable. This allows me to get to know them and vice versa. This is something that I feel is the best source aside from Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.kaylabartravels.com
• Instagram: @kaylabar.travels
• Other: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/kayla-barrera