From 40 Countries to a Business: Sandy’s Journey to Just Travel with Sandy

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I’m Sandy. I was born in France, grew up in Germany, and eventually made my way to the U.S. Travel has shaped my life, and after visiting nearly 40 countries, I created Just Travel with Sandy to support women 45+ who want to travel but feel overwhelmed by where to start. I’m a travel advisor and the author of "The Travel Lounge Life", which shares the stories and lessons behind my own journey. Today, I design custom itineraries, lead small-group trips, and teach practical tools that make travel feel doable, calm, and genuinely enjoyable. My goal is simple: to help women get out into the world with confidence.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes and no. I guess I’ve been an entrepreneur longer than I ever gave myself credit for. When I first moved to America, I taught horseback riding lessons and freelanced as an interpreter and translator. Later, I spent ten years building a business in network marketing. I just never labeled any of it as “entrepreneurship.”

But after losing several part-time jobs due to downsizing and contracts ending, I finally saw the pattern. I’d been creating my own opportunities all along, and it was time to step into something bigger and more aligned. Starting my own business wasn’t a leap so much as an acknowledgment of who I’d been this whole time. And honestly, I also joke that I’m a bit unemployable. I work best when I’m building something meaningful on my own terms.

Are you a mamaprenista?

My children are grown, 28 and 31.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched my business, my “strategy” was pretty simple: word of mouth, social media, connecting with people wherever I could, and sharing parts of my story through my book.

Is it all moving as fast as I imagined? No. Some things click right away, and others are taking longer to build. But every connection, every post, every conversation keeps moving things forward. It’s a slower start than I would like, and imagined, but it’s also teaching me to stay consistent, adjust when needed, and trust that the foundation I’m building will pay off.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud of the group trips to Germany and Ireland I’ve led, as well as the upcoming trip I’m planning to China. Even though I haven’t sold any seats yet, the itinerary is so extraordinary and so aligned with what I offer, I have no doubt it will fill. Creating experiences like this, ones that go deeper, are meaningful, and not your typical “tour”, is exactly why I started this business in the first place.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had known how much community really matters. Joining Entreprenista showed me that having other women who are building their own thing beside you makes the entire journey feel lighter. I used to think I had to figure everything out alone. Now I know that sharing the ups, downs, and questions with people who get it is one of the biggest sources of support. I would’ve leaned into that much earlier.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I don't have any employees, yet. I'm a solopreneur for now.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before starting my business, I spent years working across several roles that all centered around communication, organization, and supporting others. I’m multilingual and worked as a translator and interpreter, event coordinator, and operations support for entrepreneurs and equestrian professionals. I was also a classical dressage trainer, having taught many to ride with the motto 'respect to the horse'. I’ve also written a book and managed a wide range of projects, from content and social media to client care and logistics. All of that experience, combined with a lifetime of international travel, naturally led me to build a business where I could bring together my strengths and my love of helping women travel with more confidence.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I took the leap because I kept hearing the same thing from women around me: “I want to travel, but I don’t even know where to start.” Some were nervous about going alone (fear of the unknown, language barriers, uncertainty), some were overwhelmed by planning, and others were simply too busy to make it happen. After a lifetime of navigating the world myself, I knew I could offer real guidance, structure, and support.

Starting my own business felt like the natural next step. I wanted to build something practical and trustworthy, but also warm and personal - a place where women 45+ could feel encouraged, get a clear plan, and finally move from dreaming about travel to actually booking it. It mattered to me that they felt seen, supported, and capable. And honestly, I wanted to create the kind of resource I wish more women had years ago: grounded advice, real tools, and someone in their corner saying, “You can absolutely do this.”

Do you have any recent wins?

A big win this past year has been starting the business in the first place and sticking with it, even when things didn’t go the way I expected. I kept showing up, kept adjusting, and learning. I’m also proud of the two trips I led to Germany and Ireland. Both were meaningful, well-received, and a reminder of why I’m doing this work. These moments have given me the confidence to keep building, even when the path isn’t perfectly mapped out.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

The Notes app. I use it constantly, for ideas, brain dumps, trip details, reminders, and anything I don’t want to lose. It keeps my mind clear and my work moving. I’d be lost without it.

Who are your customers?

My customers are mostly women 45+ who want to travel but feel overwhelmed by planning or unsure where to start. Many are busy professionals, empty nesters, or women navigating a life transition who’d love to travel more, solo or with friends, but need guidance, structure, and confidence. They value meaningful experiences, curated support, and straightforward advice that helps them finally get out into the world.

What's your top productivity tip?

My top productivity tip is to do a quick brain dump, then prioritize one important task at a time. Keeping the list simple helps me stay focused. I also take real breaks, stepping away for a few minutes brings me more clarity than pushing through.

What's your favorite business tool?

Go High Level is my favorite business tool. It keeps everything in one place, emails, funnels, automations, contacts, so I can stay organized without juggling a dozen platforms. It saves me time and lets me focus on actually growing the business instead of managing the tech.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I don’t really believe in work-life balance. When you’re building something, the balance is naturally a little off in my viewpoint. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your life. It just means the line between work and personal isn’t always neat. For me, it’s more about awareness. I check in with myself, adjust when things feel too heavy, and make space for the things that ground me such as walks, my dog, and travel. That’s my version of “integration,” even if I don’t use that word much.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by getting outside, taking walks, and spending time with my dog. That resets me fast. Travel also keeps me grounded and intentional, even when I’m working on the road. It reminds me why I’m building this business in the first place. I’ve learned to slow down when I need to and keep boundaries so I can keep going without running myself into the ground.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Don’t overthink it - just start. It may not be perfect and it may not move as fast as you want, but clarity comes from staying in action. Surround yourself with women who get it, ask questions, and stay true to what you’re building.

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