We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirsten Tucker, Cnmt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kirsten, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Turning my idea into reality is both a complex and surprisingly simple story. Those who know me often say, “If Kirsten says she’s going to do something, she’ll make sure it gets done.” That mindset drove me every step of the way.

Once I had the idea, I started researching and then consulted a lawyer to guide me through the early steps, like NDAs, to protect my concept. The lawyer, who had worked with other tech companies, recommended a developer. Unfortunately, the developer turned out to be fraudulent, and I lost thousands of dollars.

Around this time, the pandemic hit in 2020. While still working in healthcare, I put my focus on my career and supporting others during the crisis. But by 2021, as travel began to rise again, the idea of creating a platform to help people find activities felt more urgent than ever.

I had planned to announce my business during a girls’ trip to Tulum for my 29th birthday, but instead, I was at my mother’s funeral. Losing her to COVID-19 was devastating, and I needed time to grieve. During those months, I traveled to heal, and the idea of ItinAFairy kept pulling at me.

My sister, who traveled with me, would often say, “This is why we need ItinAFairy,” every time we struggled to find things to do. My mom had even helped me name the business, so it felt like a way to honor her and take a step forward.

I started researching again—this time on how to build the app myself and secure funding. I met with TEDCO, where I received invaluable advice. They explained they typically invest in finished products, but they encouraged me to build a mobile-friendly website as a minimum viable product. It was a cost-effective way to start and would allow me to make changes quickly as a non-technical founder.

For my 30th birthday, I decided that if I was going to celebrate, I would also focus on my dreams. My family and friends supported me by becoming my first customers and contributing to the funding at my party. That summer, TEDCO invited me to join a pilot program, which gave me access to mentorship and helped me perfect the customer discovery process. By the following year, I secured a grant that allowed me to develop the first version of ItinAFairy.

So, how did I turn the idea into execution? It took years of persistence, learning, and setbacks. But once I had the right resources and people around me, the progress happened quickly.

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.

My name is Kirsten Tucker, and I’m the CEO of ItinAFairy, a technology travel platform designed to make finding things to do stress-free, personal, and meaningful. My journey into this industry wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by my background in healthcare, my love for travel, and the challenges I’ve overcome along the way.

I started my career in Nuclear Medicine Technology and later earned a post-baccalaureate in Public Health. Working in healthcare taught me how stress impacts our well-being and just how vital it is to make time for joy. For me, travel became that outlet—a way to recharge and reconnect with life. What started as planning trips for myself eventually became something I loved doing for others. It wasn’t just about choosing destinations; it was about creating experiences that truly mattered.

Initially, I thought of ItinAFairy as a side project—a way to earn income while pursuing medical school that didn’t require me to be directly involved day-to-day. But over time, I realized my passion for helping others could take on a completely new form. Instead of focusing on fixing health problems, I could help people address stress in a different way—by giving them tools to reconnect socially and emotionally.

ItinAFairy is about more than just travel; it’s about connection. Our platform uses technology to help people find activities that match their personality while also making it easier to support local businesses. I’ve always believed life is about the memories we create, and my goal is to make it simpler for people to build those moments of joy.

What makes me proud of ItinAFairy is that it’s not just a business—it’s a reflection of my values and the impact I want to have. We all deserve to experience more joy and less stress. Whether it’s by helping someone plan a day they’ll never forget or giving small businesses a chance to thrive, my mission is to create meaningful, lasting change.

What sets me apart is my resilience and my commitment to helping others. I’ve faced challenges, both personally and professionally, but those moments have only made me stronger. I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about pushing through them. To anyone reading this, I hope my story reminds you that even in the hardest moments, there’s a way forward, and to trust in God’s promise of working all things for our good.

And I hope you’ll join ItinAFairy, where we can help you rediscover happiness and make finding things to do easier and more enjoyable. Knowing that my business makes a difference—for small businesses and for people like you—reminds me that even if my dreams have shifted, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, building something that matters. Together, let’s explore like never before with ItinAFairy!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

After my 30th birthday, I had to figure out how to fund ItinAFairy. Winning a few pitch contests and receiving a grant from TEDCO gave me a solid start, but I knew that wasn’t enough. I needed a consistent way to bring in revenue, or I’d have to seek an investor—something that’s incredibly difficult without results to show. But how do you get results without a team, a marketing budget, or even a minimum viable product (MVP)?

Then, just when I needed it most, opportunity knocked. Before the ItinAFairy web application launched, people began reaching out to me for help planning their itineraries. They wanted trips that were truly tailored to their personalities—experiences that felt unique and special. I recognized a chance to turn this need into action. I started offering one-on-one trip planning services, charging a fee to create customized itineraries that mirrored what the app would eventually provide. Each plan was crafted with care and passion, and I also earned commissions from the trips I booked, which helped sustain my vision.

My early travel clients are everything to me. Their trust in my abilities and willingness to let me be part of their travel journeys made all the difference. Every itinerary I created and every piece of feedback I received helped shape ItinAFairy into what it is today. Without those personal connections and the inspiration they provided, I don’t think this product would exist the way it does now.

We’ll be opening up for investors later this year, but this journey has been so rewarding. Working directly with people reminded me why I started this in the first place: to solve real problems, to create joy, and to help others discover the beauty of personalized travel.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

To be honest, I feel like I could be a poster for resilience. My childhood was wonderful, but as soon as I turned 18, life threw me some serious challenges. I thought I was prepared for anything, especially after navigating college, where I learned the importance of independence and grit. However, nothing could truly prepare me for what was to come.

Imagine this: the day I planned to launch my business, I found myself at my mother’s funeral instead. It was the ultimate mental challenge, shaking me to my core. I knew I had to seek therapy and allow myself the grace and rest I needed to process everything. My mom always told me that if something ever happened to her, I should keep going. With that voice echoing in my mind, I pushed forward, even when it felt impossible.

To be honest, it’s incredibly difficult to keep going after losing the person who knew me best, the one who would have been my biggest supporter and helped me every step of the way. Though it’s still hard, having a finished product and reflecting on all I’ve accomplished in the four years since her passing gives me strength. I know she would be proud of me.

This journey hasn’t been smooth. I’ve faced significant financial hurdles, including losing thousands to a fraudulent developer. The grief from losing my mother has been immense; her support meant everything to me. She was one of ItinAFairy’s earliest advocates and even helped me name the business. Honoring her memory has become my motivation to persevere.

Resilience, at times, is about giving yourself the grace to dream big and going all in on those dreams, transforming them into achievable goals. By sharing my story, I hope to empower others to understand that no matter what you’ve been through, you can keep going too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.itinafairy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itinafairy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1519814558636222
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-tucker-403789299