We recently connected with Katie Andrews and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

When people ask how I came up with the idea for Katie Andrews Travel and eventually the Hidden Gem Escape series, I always say it wasn’t one defining moment. It was a journey.

I started out the traditional way. I earned my degree in Travel and Tourism and became a travel advisor right out of school. At the time, I assumed that was the expected path if you wanted to work in travel. But I quickly realized I didn’t love it. The work felt transactional, and I knew travel could be so much more than booking flights, cruises, and hotels.

So I made a shift and moved into the tour operator side of the industry. That’s where things really started to take shape for me. My role focused heavily on custom itineraries, international programs, supplier relationships, and logistics. For the first time, I saw what intentional travel looked like: thoughtfully created journeys rooted in culture, connection, and purpose. I understood travel not just as a service, but as an experience that could transform people.

Then life changed again. I became a mother. And when my daughter got older and I was ready to return to work, I knew I didn’t want to simply go back to the way things had been. I wanted to work for myself, and I wanted it to feel meaningful. I wanted to create something that blended every part of my experience — my education, my certification, my operational expertise — but also my personal philosophy about what travel should be.

For me, travel has never been about mass tourism or following the crowd. It’s about finding places with depth, soul, and story. It’s about exploring beyond the obvious, supporting local culture, and allowing a destination to change you. Travel isn’t always comfortable, but it is always an opportunity to grow.

That belief is what led to the Hidden Gem Escape series.

I wanted to design small, intentional travel experiences that highlight the best parts of a destination — the locally owned businesses, the artisans, the natural beauty, and the moments most travelers never see. Experiences that encourage curiosity, connection, and community.

So the idea wasn’t sudden. It evolved from every chapter of my career, every experience in the industry, and the desire to help people travel with meaning rather than momentum.

Today, that’s the foundation of my work: creating experiences that feel personal, thoughtful, and unforgettable — the kinds of journeys that stay with you long after you return home.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Katie Andrews, and I’m a travel consultant, retreat planner, and founder of Katie Andrews Travel. Travel has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I chose this field intentionally. I earned my degree in Travel and Tourism and began my career as a travel advisor, which gave me valuable insight into how travelers dream, plan, and make decisions.

Over time, I realized I wanted to understand the craft of travel on a deeper level, so I shifted into the tour operations side of the industry. I spent more than a decade managing the reservations department for an international tour operator, supporting custom itineraries and working closely with suppliers around the world. That experience taught me that exceptional travel isn’t random — it’s built through relationships, thoughtful pacing, cultural awareness, and behind-the-scenes logistics that make an experience feel effortless.

After becoming a mother and returning to work, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to blend the parts of the industry I loved with the way I personally believe travel should feel: intentional, meaningful, and rooted in authenticity. That’s how my business — and eventually the Hidden Gem Escape series — came to life.

Today, my work focuses on three areas:

• Curated travel planning for individuals, couples, and families
• Retreat planning and logistics support for facilitators and wellness leaders
• My Hidden Gem Escape series, which offers small-group travel designed around culture, connection, and off-the-beaten-path experiences

What sets my work apart is the philosophy behind it. I design travel that prioritizes local culture, human connection, and thoughtful experiences over mass tourism or trend-driven itineraries. I’m most proud that clients and retreat leaders come home feeling changed — not just rested, but expanded.

For anyone learning about my work for the first time, the heart of my brand is simple: travel can be transformative when it’s done with intention. My role is to create the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been word of mouth. Travel is personal, and when someone has a great experience, they naturally talk about it. My business has grown because happy clients share their stories — with friends, family, coworkers, and sometimes complete strangers they meet while traveling.

I can run ads, build systems, and post on social media, but nothing compares to someone saying, “You have to work with her.” Those referrals come with built-in trust, and that trust matters in an industry where people are investing not just money, but time, emotion, and memories.

So my focus has always been on creating an exceptional experience first — meaningful travel, clear communication, and support from the initial idea to the return home. If I take care of the relationship, the business side grows naturally.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was believing that saying yes to everything was good service. In the early stages of my business, I thought being constantly available, endlessly customizing, and responding at all hours was what clients and facilitators needed from me. I didn’t set boundaries because I wanted to prove my value — but what I was actually doing was teaching people to expect unlimited access to my time and energy.

Eventually, I realized that this approach wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t healthy. It blurred lines, created urgency where there didn’t need to be any, and pulled me out of balance. The work — and honestly, my enjoyment of it — started to suffer.

I had to learn that boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re clarity. Today, I communicate expectations up front, protect my work hours, and design processes that support both my clients and myself. The result has been stronger relationships, better outcomes, and a business structure that feels aligned instead of reactive.

Unlearning that “yes means good” ultimately taught me that structure creates space — and in that space, the best work happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katieandrewstravel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieandrewstravel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571827298088

Image Credits

Victoria White, Haley Tulip