We were lucky to catch up with Erica Leonhard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

Scaling Up Magical Dreamers Travel: From Dreams to Reality

When I founded Magical Dreamers Travel in 2021 with my business partner, I knew our journey would be full of challenges but also brimming with possibilities. My story is not just about an agency that grew exponentially; it’s about a woman who decided to bet everything to fulfill her dreams.

In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, I left my life in Argentina and moved to the United States. It was a new country for me, with business regulations, tax systems, and labor laws completely different from what I was used to. It was a leap of faith, but it was also an opportunity to reinvent myself. My dream was to build businesses in the land of opportunity, and I knew it would require effort, resilience, and the ability to learn quickly.
Overcoming Obstacles: Adaptation as the Key

Moving to a new country was not easy. Beyond adapting to an unfamiliar economic and legal system, I faced the challenge of building a network from scratch in a new environment during a time of global uncertainty. I didn’t have all the answers, but I decided to lean into what I knew best: entrepreneurship.

In addition to founding Magical Dreamers Travel, I developed two other businesses in the United States. Each of them came with its own set of challenges but also with the satisfaction of proving that, with vision and dedication, dreams can come true.

I also dedicated myself to helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. I advised colleagues on improving their companies’ performance and growth and supported several Argentine entrepreneurs in the start-up process of their businesses in this country. This work allowed me not only to expand my impact but also to build a community of entrepreneurs who support one another.
The Growth of Magical Dreamers Travel

Despite these challenges, Magical Dreamers Travel became a project that exceeded all my expectations. From the start, we focused on:

Empowering independent agents: Today, we have over 70 agents worldwide, providing them with tools and training to reach their goals.
Investing in technology: We developed a platform that simplifies agents’ workflows and enhances the client experience.
Building an authentic brand: Connecting through real stories and experiences allowed us to stand out in a competitive market.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

There were mistakes and moments of doubt. Strategies that didn’t work and decisions that required adjustments. However, every challenge was a lesson that made us stronger. From learning how to navigate the U.S. business system to adapting our strategy during times of crisis, resilience was our greatest ally.

Today, Magical Dreamers Travel is not only a travel agency recognized for its growth and awards from Universal Studios and Expedia, but also an example of how dreams can become reality with effort, vision, and determination. Beyond this agency, I take pride in knowing that my story has inspired and supported other entrepreneurs to achieve their own goals.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Erica Leonhard, and I’m a proud entrepreneur, storyteller, and dream-builder. Today, I’m the CEO of Magical Dreamers Travel, the founder of StriveHub Business, and the owner of Spoon & Sprinkles. But if you had told me 10 years ago that I’d be living in Florida, leading multiple successful businesses, I might not have believed you.
Where It All Began

I grew up in Argentina, where I discovered two things about myself early on: I loved solving problems, and I thrived on building things from the ground up. My career began in foreign trade and finance—structured environments where I learned discipline and how to navigate the complexities of business. But something was missing. I wasn’t creating; I wasn’t dreaming.

In 2014, I took on one of my most challenging roles—managing the development of a boutique hotel and restaurant in Argentina. It was chaotic, exhilarating, and the first time I truly felt like a builder. I wasn’t just managing processes; I was creating a vision, leading people, and seeing an idea turn into reality. That experience planted the seed for the entrepreneurial journey that would come later.
A Leap of Faith

In 2020, my husband and I made a life-changing decision: to move to Florida and start fresh. It wasn’t just a geographical change—it was a leap into the unknown. I arrived with a suitcase full of dreams and a fierce determination to make them happen.

Florida became the canvas where I painted my entrepreneurial vision. Amid the uncertainty of a global pandemic, I opened Spoon & Sprinkles, a dessert shop in Davenport. Starting a business during that time felt like walking a tightrope without a safety net, but I poured my heart into it. What began as a small local shop grew into a thriving business, winning awards and building a loyal community. It wasn’t just about serving desserts—it was about creating moments of joy for families, one spoonful at a time.

Spoon & Sprinkles was just the beginning. As the world started to reopen, I turned my attention to another dream: Magical Dreamers Travel, a global travel agency I co-own. Travel is more than logistics—it’s about storytelling, crafting experiences that people will carry with them for a lifetime. Today, we have over 70 independent agents worldwide, and I couldn’t be prouder of the community we’ve built.

But my heart kept pulling me toward something more. I’ve always believed that the best way to succeed is to help others succeed, so in 2024, I launched StriveHub Business. It’s my way of giving back—of helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business in the U.S. market. Whether it’s strategic planning, mentorship, or simply offering encouragement, I’m passionate about empowering others to realize their dreams.
Lessons from the Journey

Looking back, my journey has been anything but linear. I’ve worn many hats—manager, hotel developer, travel agent, CEO. Each experience taught me something new and shaped who I am today. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about enduring tough times; it’s about adapting, pivoting, and finding opportunity in the chaos.

One of the proudest moments of my career was being selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program—an incredible recognition of my efforts as a business leader. But beyond the accolades and achievements, what drives me every day is the impact I can make on others. Whether it’s helping an entrepreneur take their first steps or seeing a family create memories on a dream vacation, those are the moments that fuel my passion.

What’s Next?

The future is full of possibilities. With Magical Dreamers Travel, I’m excited to continue redefining what a travel agency can be in a digital world. At Spoon & Sprinkles, the goal is to expand through franchising, sharing our brand of sweetness with even more communities. And with StriveHub Business, I hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to build boldly and dream big.

For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about business—it’s about people. It’s about connections, community, and creating something meaningful. Every challenge, every risk, every success has been worth it, because it’s all part of a much bigger story—the story of making dreams a reality.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation was built on a foundation of authenticity, community engagement, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. From day one, I’ve made it a priority to show up as my true self—no corporate façade, no empty promises—just a person who genuinely cares about her clients, partners, and team. That honesty shines through in the way I interact with customers at Spoon & Sprinkles, or the way I guide clients through their dream vacations at Magical Dreamers Travel. It’s also evident in the mentorship and strategic planning support I offer through StriveHub Business, where my goal is always to lift others up, not just promote my own brand.

Consistency has played a huge part as well. Whether it’s delivering an unforgettable travel itinerary, maintaining top-notch product quality in our dessert shop, or providing entrepreneurs with practical, actionable growth strategies, I strive to exceed expectations every time. Over the years, people have come to see that I’m not here for a quick win—I’m here for the long haul, invested in building relationships and making a positive impact.

Lastly, I think my willingness to share knowledge and pay it forward has resonated with the community. By offering insights, guidance, and encouragement to fellow business owners and creatives, I’ve created a sense of camaraderie that feels more like a partnership than a competition. My reputation is, in many ways, a reflection of the trust others have placed in me and the value I’ve worked hard to provide.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Paula and I first crossed paths in Argentina, at a time when both of us were working independently in the travel industry. Back then, we were two passionate travel agents forging our own paths, guided primarily by our love for exploration and helping others experience the world. I remember the first time we really connected—over a conversation that started as a simple exchange of travel tips and quickly grew into something far deeper. We found we shared more than just an enthusiasm for destinations; we believed in travel as a way of connecting people, fostering understanding, and creating unforgettable moments.

As we got to know each other, it became clear that our individual strengths complemented one another. Paula, with her legal and strategic background, brought a level of structure, insight, and long-term vision that perfectly balanced my experience in business development and branding. Together, we formed a kind of natural synergy. Over countless coffees and brainstorming sessions, we dreamed about building something meaningful, something that would not only take travelers on incredible adventures but also empower other agents to grow and thrive.

When we both decided to move to the United States—essentially taking a leap of faith into a new market with different challenges and opportunities—our partnership only strengthened. The trust and respect we had built back home carried us forward, making it feel less like stepping into the unknown and more like forging ahead with a trusted ally by my side. From there, creating Magical Dreamers Travel felt like a natural next step. Our shared vision, complementary skill sets, and genuine friendship laid the foundation for what our company has become today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magicaldreamerstravel.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaleonhard1979/

Image Credits

Disney
Universal