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

Kristi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

I believe the saying of, “a client will become a friend faster and easier than a friend will become a client”. I don’t care who you are, it hurts your feelings. You want to be supported by the people closest to you, but they seem to be the hardest ones to convince that you actually know what you are doing.

Kristi, 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?

I’m Kristi Kincaid, founder of Curated Travels, and my story really starts on the top deck of a cruise ship. Years ago, while running poker tournaments for iHostPoker, I helped organize several poker cruises with the owner, Bill Heuer. After the last hand each night, I’d sneak outside, breathe the sea air, and let the sound of the waves wash over me. In that quiet moment I knew, whatever I did next had to involve cruising.

When I tried to get hired with the large travel companies, they wanted hard‑core sales agents, and that’s never been my style. So I opened my own agency instead, built on a simple promise, deliver expert advice without any pressure. I dove into every cruise training program I could find, studied routes, and cabin categories, and forged relationships with the lines themselves. My role is to listen first, then match clients with the one sailing that truly fits them.

Then COVID shut the cruise world down. Rather than wait it out, I pivoted. I earned specialist certifications for Mexico and Caribbean resorts and expanded Curated Travels into a full‑service leisure agency. Today I book everything from river cruises to overwater bungalows—and I still keep that no‑pressure philosophy front and center.

Here’s what many people don’t realize, you already pay for a travel agent’s commission whether you book direct or through me. By booking with Curated Travels, you get that same price (or better) plus 24/7 support if plans change while you’re away. I’m the person vendors call first when something goes sideways, which means my clients can stay in vacation mode.

One of my favorite examples; I had a couple flying to Fiji for their 10th anniversary and I had arranged a seaplane transfer to their resort from Nadi airport. While they were asleep on their overnight flight, the seaplane developed mechanical issues and was grounded. The operator phoned me, and by the time the couple landed I had a private helicopter waiting for them, at no extra cost to them. They stepped off the plane and found a surprise bucket‑list moment instead. That’s the power of having an advocate in your corner.

I also welcome DIY planners. If you love researching every detail, fantastic, send me your shortlist and I’ll secure exactly what you found for the same price, then stand behind every reservation. My mission is simple: combine deep expertise with genuine care so travelers never feel pressured and never travel alone in a crisis.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I love this question and I have to give credit to my son for teaching me this lesson. After a long days, I’d tell the family about the “crazy” questions I’d fielded from clients. One evening he stopped me and said, “Mom, I wouldn’t know those answers either, you forget what it’s like not to be an expert.”

He was absolutely right.

A first‑time cruiser has never stood in a cruise terminal, so check‑in feels mysterious. Most travelers aren’t poring over maps the way I do, they may not realize the Maldives are a two‑day journey. When I’m answering logistical questions now, I consciously hit the reset button, setting aside everything I’ve learned over the years and walking through each step as if it’s brand new. That little shift keeps my explanations clear, empathetic, and genuinely helpful.

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

Curated Travels started as Curated Cruises, focused solely on cruises. When the pandemic docked every ship, I had two options, pivot or risk losing my business completely, so I pivoted. During lockdown I studied and earned resort and hotel certifications, built relationships with top all‑inclusive brands, and learned the land‑vacation playbook inside out. Now, Curated Travels offers the same concierge‑level expertise for hotels and resorts as it does for cruises, so clients can sail or stay with complete confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curated-travels.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curated_travels_advisor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuratedTravelsbyKK
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-kincaid-020353114/

Image Credits

All images are my own. The certification badges are mine that I earned and are to be used for advertising purposes.