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

BIANCA, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I began traveling for work and I enjoyed experiencing new surroundings and meeting new people. My husband and I traveled to Puerto Rico to take a cruise for our honeymoon. We traveled to 5 different islands and the experience was amazing, from the food to the excursions. It left me with a desire to see the world and to experience more. I started planning group trips and everyone would tell me how much they enjoyed themselves. One of my friends noticed my love of travel and convinced me to join her travel team and I started my travel business. I often talked to people or read social media posts about people wanting to travel but not having friends or family to travel with them. Others stated that they didn’t know where to go or what to do to plan a vacation. Some were concerned about being able to afford to travel. I knew I needed to create a solution for them. After hearing their travels concerns, I wanted others to enjoy travel as much as I did without the worry.

I started doing some research, joined mentoring programs, and changed my business model. I realized that it was important to surround myself with people that had been through the ups and downs of business and could lend me their expertise. Most importantly, they would push me and not let me be stagnant. I rebranded the agency with focus on providing group travel experiences, curated itineraries, and roommate matching.

BIANCA, 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?

Travel truly saved my life. It became my escape, my therapy, as I navigated the pain of losing our angel, Halia. Through travel, I found healing and a way to honor her beautiful memory. I wanted Halia’s name, which means memory or memorable, to leave a lasting mark on this world, so I created Halia Experiences. My mission is clear: to ensure that every guest walks away with unforgettable memories, just as I carry Halia’s spirit of love and adventure with me in everything I do.

Through Halia Experiences, we offer more than just travel; we provide memorable and safe journeys, a platform to connect with new people, and flexible payment plans to make it all accessible. It’s my way of sharing the joy of travel while keeping her legacy alive.

As Halia Experiences continues to grow, we are excited to introduce new products and services. One of our most exciting experiences on the horizon is our first group trip to Dubai in March 2026. The itinerary is amazing, and I’ve worked closely with our tour operator to craft an experience that will be nothing short of memorable for our guests.

In addition to our curated trips, we also offer stylish merchandise that enhances the travel experience. From t-shirts and tumblers to tote bags, we continually refresh our inventory with new products every quarter to keep things fresh and exciting.

Our commitment to giving back is what truly sets us apart. A portion of our proceeds goes directly to Halia’s Heart Epilepsy Foundation, where we support families of children with epilepsy. My dream is to sponsor a trip for these families so that we spread love and joy because they endure so much, and if we can give them the gift of happy memories, we’ve achieved something truly special.

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

I feel like my story centers around the loss of Halia. My faith in God, the support of my husband, parents, sisters, and the rest of my family and friends helped me in my journey. The emptiness I felt from losing my sweet girl was overwhelming. But I always thought of Halia’s strength and resilience. In her two years on Earth, she spread so much love and joy despite her illness. No matter what she was going through, and she went through a lot, she always had a smile and a hug for everyone she encountered. So, I draw from those memories and her strength, and I know that if someone can smile through pain, they can get through anything. Her determination made me push to be stronger and to fight to overcome obstacles. Being a business owner can be tough but sometimes you have to pause, refocus, regroup, and then press forward. I am resilient because God blessed me with Halia, and it is because of her that I press forward.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Would you believe I majored in Biology Pre-Med? I had this whole plan laid out to become a doctor, but life had other ideas. I was born and raised in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, everything shifted—New Orleans had to start a new chapter, and so did I. Instead of heading straight into the medical field, I found myself working in Public Health for a while. Just as I was getting ready to apply to medical school, everything changed when Halia developed epilepsy. My world shifted, and my focus became giving all my attention and care to my little Angel Eyes (Halia’s nickname).

After she passed away, healing became my priority—though I’ve learned you never fully heal from loss; you just find a new normal. My path changed in ways I could never have imagined, from what I thought would be a career in medicine to discovering a deeply fulfilling and meaningful journey in the travel industry. It’s been a pivot I never saw coming, but one I’m grateful for every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haliaexperiences.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haliaexperiences?igsh=d2p3cDh5ZnM5MW0z&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetravelauntie?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haliaexperiences?_t=8pfEFR9E1RS&_r=1

  Ladies that enjoy all things travel related, can join our community, Travel Aunties, on Facebook,

  Readers can follow my September 2024 journey to Dubai at: https://haliaexperiences.com/halia-experiences/

Image Credits

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