We recently connected with Anne Valdez and have shared our conversation below.

Anne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

A few years ago, I was working a regular 9-to-5 job and then a part-time job after. Having a regular job provided stability, a consistent paycheck and all the things you’d expect from a traditional career. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was missing out on something far more important: time freedom.
Becoming a business owner has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I now get to design my own schedule, which means I can spend unexpected lunches at our kids’ school which the surprised faces alone make it all worthwhile, show up for impromptu lunch dates with my husband and even finish little home projects that always got pushed to the backburner before. These little moments of connection and freedom were impossible when I was tied to someone else’s clock.
Yes, running my own business comes with its challenges. There’s more risk and responsibility, but there’s also so much more reward—especially when it comes to time. No amount of consistent income from a traditional job can replace the feeling of being there for my family when they need me or taking a break in the middle of the day just to enjoy the little things.
In the end, for me, it’s not just about financial security. It’s about having the space to live my life on my terms—showing up fully for my family, pursuing my passions and having the freedom to balance it all. It’s been one of the most fulfilling changes I’ve made.

Anne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, there! I’m Anne and I’m so excited to be part of your travel journey! What started as a passion for exploring the world since birth and creating unforgettable memories with my own family has turned into a mission to help others do the same. I’m a travel agent with a concierge service focus and what sets me apart from booking with big travel companies is that I’m with you before, during and after your trip.
When you book through a larger company, you’re often just a number and once your trip is booked, you’re left to figure out everything else on your own. With me, I work behind the scenes to take care of all the details, big and small, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying your well-deserved vacation. Should anything unexpected arise or you want to add an activity while already on your trip, I’m there to handle it, leaving you free to relax and make memories.
What really sets me apart, though, is my commitment to your safety and peace of mind. If I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking our own kids to a destination, I most likely won’t recommend it to you. Safety is my top priority and I often suggest trips that I believe are truly worth your time and investment. Your happiness, security and budget are my main focus, always.
What brings me the most joy in running my business is knowing that everything I do is guided by my faith. As a Christian, I approach each booking with the mindset that I’m not just helping you plan a trip—I’m creating an experience that’s filled with true care and a personal connection. You’re not just a client; you’re a friend and I’ll walk beside you through every step of your journey.
Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing beach getaway, an adventurous family trip or a romantic escape, I’m here to make it happen, with attention to every detail and a commitment to creating the best travel experience possible. Your journey will be in good hands and it’ll be a reflection of my values and love for what I do.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting my business only cost me $179! It is definitely one of the smallest start-up capitals out there which covered licensing, fees, the legal stuff and it has paid off so much since starting over a year ago. As a family, we enjoy going out to eat almost all the time and we decided to skip a dinner and a lunch out in order to pay for my capital. Used my own laptop and phone and the rest is history!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first started out as a travel agent, I had this one trip booked for a group of six people. Everything was confirmed, paid for and ready to go. But that night, while I was asleep, I missed a call from one of the suppliers—turns out, the payment had been flagged. I woke up to the worst possible news: the trip was cancelled. And to make matters worse, these travelers were set to leave that night, so they had no trip booked at all.
Luckily, as a travel agent, I have direct access to certain suppliers and contacts that most people don’t. In that moment of panic, I leaned into every resource I could and I was incredibly blessed to connect with a customer service representative from another supplier who went above and beyond. She and I worked fast—starting from scratch, researching and booking an entirely new trip for all six people within an hour without going over their budget. Keep in mind, this was after I’d already been working for 14 hours straight which is unheard of as a travel agent. Did I mention how last-minute this was?
In the end, it all worked out. My clients had an amazing vacation and I learned just how crucial it is to have a strong network of support when things go sideways.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thismammatravels_ig/
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/FaithfulJourneysDivineDestinations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithfulFamilyJourneys

Image Credits

All photos were taken using my personal phone and are allowed to be posted.