We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacia Lynch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacia below.

Stacia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Scenic Locations Leisure Travel didn’t start as a grand plan, it started with a job ad. I was decompressing from corporate life after years as a healthcare administrator when I saw an opening about becoming a travel advisor. I thought, “I could do that,” so I applied.

What I didn’t fully grasp at the time was that it wasn’t a traditional job; it was an independent contractor role. Within a few weeks I went, oh shit, what did I just do? I’d essentially started a business without realizing it and I had no foundation. No systems, no brand strategy, no roadmap.

But the idea of it sparked something. Even before I officially launched, I came up with a business name and designed my own logo – that part came naturally. What didn’t? Everything else. I had no business plan, no marketing plan, no brand kit, and definitely no LLC or formal structure. Just curiosity, determination, and a strong operations background to lean on.

That ad was the spark that got me researching what it would actually take to make a career in travel. The deeper I dug, the more I realized that my background in process improvement wasn’t wasted, it was my biggest asset. I could see where travelers and even other advisors struggled with inefficiency, lack of clarity, or poor communication, and I knew I could build something better.

Going from idea to execution meant starting from scratch: training, certifications, registering my business, building workflows, creating branding, and learning the industry from the inside out. I had to dig back into my MBA training — and I’ve used it more in the last three years than I did in the fifteen since I earned it. I treated every step like a process design project, not just building a business, but designing an experience that worked for both clients and me.

Those early months were chaos and education rolled into one. I learned quickly that passion for travel wasn’t enough; I needed structure. So I built one. It wasn’t glamorous in the beginning, but it was fulfilling. Every small win, a happy client, a smooth itinerary, a thank-you note, confirmed I was on the right path. Over time, I realized that what I’d built wasn’t just a travel agency; it was a business rooted in intuition, structure, and genuine connection.

And it’s still evolving. The more I learn; about business, about travel, about people, the more my company evolves with me. I’ve stopped trying to “arrive” anywhere; instead, I focus on continuous refinement. Each lesson, each client, and each challenge shapes the next version of Scenic Locations Leisure Travel.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that execution doesn’t require perfect timing or a flawless plan, it requires movement, humility, and a willingness to learn as you go. Sometimes the best ideas don’t arrive as lightning bolts. They unfold quietly, in the moments you least expect, when you finally have space to listen.

Stacia, 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 Stacia Lynch, founder of Scenic Locations Leisure Travel, a full-service travel consultancy and agency built around one guiding belief: the planning experience should feel as good as the trip itself.

I came into this industry by way of reinvention. After years working in healthcare administration and process improvement, I was craving something more personal and fulfilling. A job posting about becoming a travel advisor caught my eye, and what started as curiosity turned into a calling. My business background gave me structure, but travel gave me purpose.

Scenic Locations Leisure Travel specializes in curated, experiential journeys for clients who want more than a cookie-cutter itinerary. I help travelers plan with confidence; whether that’s a custom island escape, a culinary group adventure, or a milestone celebration that blends leisure and meaning. Every trip starts with understanding the why behind it. From there, I design experiences that are intentional, seamless, and rooted in connection.

What truly sets my business apart is how I listen between the lines. Most clients don’t know exactly what they want at first, they know how they want to feel. I listen for what isn’t being said: the need for calm behind “I just want to disconnect,” or the excitement hiding behind “we just need a getaway.” My background in systems and process gives me the tools to bring that intuition to life through structure; crafting trips that balance emotion with logistics and meaning with momentum.

Over time, Scenic Locations Leisure Travel has evolved into more than an agency. I now consult for other advisors and small business owners through my sister brand, Strategic Life Logistics Consulting, helping them build workflows and client experiences that are streamlined, sustainable, and authentic.

I’m most proud of how far this business has come from its spontaneous beginnings. What started with one curious click has grown into a purpose-driven company focused on service, strategy, and genuine connection. The more I learn, the more my business evolves, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My goal is simple: to make travel — and business — feel easier, clearer, and more meaningful for the people I work with.

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

When I first became an independent contractor, I thought I was stepping into a job, not launching a business. Within weeks, I realized I had to pivot fast. There was no corporate safety net, no HR department, no marketing team — just me.

That shift forced me to step fully into entrepreneurship. I went from thinking like an employee to thinking like a business owner. I created my own systems, built my brand from the ground up, and developed structured service models that gave clients clear expectations.

Over the past few years, I’ve continued to pivot as my understanding of the industry deepened, moving from being host-dependent to operating under my own IATA, refining how I serve clients, and expanding into consulting for other advisors. Each pivot has been a reminder that growth doesn’t happen by chance; it happens when you recognize what’s no longer working and have the courage to evolve.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Connection is the heart of my business. I don’t just check in – I listen between the lines. I pay attention to what clients say and what they don’t; the subtle cues that tell me how they want to feel on their next trip or what kind of support they need.

That approach carries through every stage of the client journey: from personalized welcome messages and milestone reminders to curated “Tokens of the Tide” gifts that mark special moments. I also maintain an ongoing presence through group trips, newsletters, and social content designed to educate and inspire, not just sell.

Loyalty isn’t built on transactions, it’s built on trust. When clients know I’m invested in their experience beyond the booking, they come back not because they have to, but because they want to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sceniclocationsleisuretravel.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.slltravel.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.slltravel.com
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/slltravel
• Other: https://group.slltravel.com

Image Credits

Alfyn Gestoso, Sandals Resorts, Stacia Lynch, David Lynch