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

Alright, Valeria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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?

“I didn’t wake up one day and decide to start a travel advisory business — it grew naturally out of the work I’d been doing for years. My background in event marketing and music television taught me how to create experiences, manage complex logistics, and deliver high-touch service under pressure. At some point, I realized that the way I produced events translated seamlessly into how I planned travel for friends and colleagues. That connection sparked the idea that this could become something more formal.

What truly pulled me in was the energy of the travel industry itself. I love researching destinations, digging into neighborhoods, comparing hotels, and figuring out the perfect fit for each client. That process — that mix of creativity and precision — gives me the same charge I had when building events.
Over the next few weeks, I committed fully: joined Fora, completed the training, set up my LLC, and built the systems and structure I wanted clients to experience from day one.

And now the business is really taking off. Referrals are growing, bookings are increasing, and the momentum feels real. I’m incredibly grateful to my network, my friends, and the people who supported me before this was even a business. Their trust is what pushed this from an idea into something with real traction, and it motivates me every day to keep building.”

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.

Travel planning today is overwhelming — too many options, too much information, and not enough time to sort through it all. I help my clients cut through that noise.
What I want people to know about my brand is simple: I care deeply. About the details, about the experience, about making travel feel personal and stress-free. My goal is to create journeys that feel curated, considered, and aligned with who my clients are. Whether it’s a luxury escape, a family adventure, a honeymoon, or something unique, I approach it with the same precision and heart that guided my work in Event Marketing and Music television.
At its core, my brand is about thoughtful curation, meaningful connections, and elevating the way people explore the world.

I’m most proud of how organically this business has grown. It started with people I knew trusting my taste, and that trust continues to be the foundation. Every referral, every client who returns, every family who lets me shape their memories — it means a lot to me. And I’m incredibly grateful to my network, my friends, and everyone who supported me long before this was officially a business.

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

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I needed to have personally experienced every destination and every luxury hotel to curate the perfect trip. For a while, I genuinely believed I had to ‘earn’ credibility by physically being everywhere first.
But then I remembered the reality of my earlier career: I produced seven-figure events for clients — massive, complex productions I was never able to test-drive beforehand. I relied on expertise, preparation, creativity, and the ability to translate a client’s vision into a seamless outcome.
That same logic applies to travel. The job isn’t being everywhere — it’s designing experiences with intention, research, and insight.
One of the most powerful aspects of this industry is its community. I have a fantastic network of advisors with deep, specialized expertise — people who don’t see each other as competitors, but as collaborators. We exchange insights, share first-hand experiences, and help each other get to the best possible answer for our clients. That support system is invaluable, and it makes all of us better.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I’ve gone all in — I’m working full-time to build this business, and I’m genuinely grateful for the momentum. I’m steadily growing my referrals, and I’m already seeing clients return for new trips. The traction so far has been really encouraging, and I’m wholeheartedly dedicated to continually refining my craft and expanding my expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/valeria-hopf
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curatedbyvh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-hopf-7a0324b8/