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

Hi Lena, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

In September of 2020, I sold all of my belongings (even my car) and moved from Philadelphia, PA. to Playa del Carmen, Mexico sight unseen. While on the surface, this seemed like a big risk to outsiders, it was the realizaton of a life-long dream to move abroad, the culmination of abruptly quitting my corporate Human Resources role two years prior, and the catalyst for me to start my travel business.

I had grown disheartened with working in the corporate environment. Looking back, I was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. So, in November of 2018, I resigned without a real plan. I took that Holiday season to reset, relax, and think about my journey moving forward. I made an attempt to apply to other jobs once January rolled around, but after 96 applications and no viable options, I took a friend’s suggestion and created my business, Sweet Bean Travels. I had been bit by the travel bug years prior, so curating travel plans for others was the natural progression.

With my rental lease coming to an end in September of 2020 and officially working for myself, I decided the stars had finally aligned, and it was time to make my departure from the United States. Mexico was a happy accident, but three years and several cities later, I’ve made a home for myself in this beautiful country.

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?

Sweet Bean Travels is a premier travel agency dedicated to curating unparalleled experiences for the discerning traveler. I believe travel should be an immersive and transformative experience, and I strive to create truly unforgettable moments. My clients are busy professionals who generally do not have time to plan their travel. My offerings include group planning + management to include weddings, corporate, and family reunions; custom travel planning to include honeymoons and solo travel; and I also offer hosted group trips a few times per year.

An avid traveler from a young age, I first discovered my passion for international travel during a two-week volunteer vacation in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. I loved the experience so much, I returned two years later. Since then, I’ve traveled the globe from South America to Southeast Asia. I truly enjoy immersing myself in various cultures for a truly authentic experience.

When I’m not planning premier vacations, you can find me relaxing in the hot springs or grabbing brunch with friends near my home in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

When I first started my business, I think my reputation from the corporate world helped with the initial push. Many of my first (and repeat) clients were former colleagues who had firsthand knowledge of my work ethic. Since then, Google reviews, a fairly active Facebook group, and providing premier services + experiences for my clients have helped to build my reputation.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients has been 98% word of mouth and referrals from current + previous clients. It warms my heart that my clients are so pleased with my services. And I often end up connecting with them on a more personal level. I love catching up with them before discussing business. The other 2% comes from folks finding me on Google.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sweetbeantravels.com
• Instagram: @sweetbeantravels
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/solosquad
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenatanderson/