We were lucky to catch up with Nubia Younge recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nubia, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Another entity was illicitly using our brand name, which is trademarked and created confusion and inconvenience to our clients and the general public. We took this issue very seriously as it impacts not only the trust and integrity associated with our brand but also the safety and satisfaction of our clients. We have been working closely with our legal team to protect our trademark and hold the responsible entity accountable for their actions. Trademarking your business is a critical step in securing your brand’s identity, value, and legal rights.

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 Nubia Younge, and I am the Founder & CEO of Black In Tulum and Black In Travel. Several years ago, I was called to a nomadic lifestyle that forever changed the course of my life. I left the United States on a one-way ticket to the beautiful landscapes of Northern Thailand. It was a journey that lead me to now 52 countries and offered me a #SoftLife. Every passport stamp fuelled my passion for travel and gave me a wealth of knowledge that eventually inspired the inception of my business as a travel consultant, where I now have the privilege of curating luxury travel experiences, orchestrating retreats, and hosting a global events for community of travelers of color.

My journey began in 2016, when I experienced a lay off from my corporate job as a corporate meeting planner. By 2017, I had sole every possession I owned. I booked a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia and began my journey as a solo traveler. I immediately noticed an absence of narratives from seasoned, professional women of color journeying through foreign lands. This ignited a spark within me, giving birth to my podcast, Chronicles Abroad.

Chronicles Abroad became a vessel, carrying the inspiring narratives of mature professionals over 35, who, like me, were carving their individual unique paths in life and business. These stories, imbued with triumphs and tribulations, inspired listeners to architect their own realities.

After three amazing years of podcasting, being featured in many top 10 lists including Travel and Leisure, I retired from podcasting. I arrived in Mexico City, Mexico in June 2019 and was soon quarantined in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo by the following year. Amidst the pandemic, in July of 2020, I hosted a simple brunch on the pristine beaches of Tulum with 25 melanated travelers marking the inception of Black In Tulum (B.I.T). Unbeknownst to me, this quaint gathering was the genesis of a seismic Black Travel Movement in Mexico. B.I.T transcended its humble beginnings, morphing into a thriving community and a myriad of events, drawing hundreds of thousands of melanated travelers.

Fast forward to January 2023, Black In Travel is born – a sanctuary for travelers of color. Our mission is resolute – empowering its members to traverse the globe, to immerse in and elevate Black culture abroad. “Black In Travel” is a movement and platform dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the travel industry. It seeks to address the underrepresentation of Black travelers and professionals in various aspects of travel, including tourism, hospitality, and media. The movement aims to amplify the voices and experiences of Black travelers, highlight destinations of significance to Afro history and culture, and encourage more inclusive practices within the travel sector. “Black In Travel” also focuses on providing resources, support, and networking opportunities for individuals interested in travel-related careers or exploration. By fostering awareness, representation, and positive change, “Black In Travel” strives to create a more inclusive and equitable travel industry for everyone.

I am on a mission to inspire and empower my fellow Gen X professionals about the power of manifestation. As a woman of color over 40, I am intimately familiar with the unique challenges engrained in this journey. Empathizing with the fears and concerns that resonate with women like myself, I want to convey the message that age and background are not barricades but stepping stones to exploration. My work in building and nurturing community demonstrates my expertise in community-building and the power of collective support. By sharing my own personal experiences and showcasing the experiences of others, I have become a powerful advocate for diverse representation within the travel industry.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I began Black In Tulum, Facebook was the best platform for building a community. Facebook allowed me and others to communicate with one another, share resources, photos, videos and even stream Live. These elements were essential to fostering conversations and relationships. The group began building momentum and grew to over 25k members in less than 2 years.

I started our Instagram page a few months after the Facebook group page because I wanted to share the visuals of Tulum and the events that we were hosting. We asked that people tag us in their post or use our #BlackInTulum hashtag to be featured on our page and it wasn’t long until our Instagram page became 75% user generated. We began hiring photographers to come to our events and capture footage. We also asked our patrons post reviews, reels and stories from their experience and time with us, whether they came to our events or utilized our Black Card Elite concierge services. Lastely, we always post our events in real time via our IG stories, so others can witness the vibes. Now our IG is almost 50k strong in less than 3 years.

My advice for those just starting would be to choose the right social media platform for your business. Find your target audience demographics and effectively engage with them. Each platform, from Instagram to LinkedIn, caters to different demographics and interests, so it’s essential to select one aligning with your business needs. Tailor your content to the chosen platform, be consistent, and use analytics to refine your strategy. In a world flooded with choices, the right platform and engaged community can set your small business apart, driving both sustainability and growth.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After getting laid off, I felt unfulfilled and was ready to hit reset on my life. When I decided to travel, I would research YouTube, but I didn’t see or hear stories from seasoned, professional women of color traveling and living abroad. That’s when I decided to share my own story and my podcast, Chronicles Abroad, was born. Chronicles Abroad helped inspire others to create their own reality by sharing the stories of mature professionals over 35 paving their own way in life and in business.

After a few years of podcasting and traveling the world, I landed in Mexico and fell in love with the country. In the midst of the pandemic, I took advantage of all of the free online courses and became certified in sustanable hospitality, and digital marketing from Google Garage. I fell back in love with cooking and even created a digital cookbook. Once we were able to move around a bit more, I hosted a brunch on the white sandy beaches of Tulum, Mexico and Black In Tulum (B.I.T) was born.

Now, after 3 years cultivating Black In Tulum, I am ready to level up and launch Black In Travel, among a host of other projects that I am currently working to manifest. I believe it’s important not to stay stagnant and get too comfortable in one thing. Pivoting in business and you career as you grow and evolve is essential in staying ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackintravel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnubiayounge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackInTulum
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nubiayounge
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/blackintravel
• Other: https://www.blackintulum.com