From Passionate Traveler to CEO: Erika Bullock’s Journey to Building Wander World Destinations

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

Hi, I’m Erika Bullock — Founder & CEO of Wander World Destinations. I run a full-service travel agency that specializes in curated luxury escapes, destination weddings, honeymoons, and unforgettable group experiences for women who want to enjoy life more deeply. My signature trips, like Uncorked & Unbothered in Napa Valley and my Thailand & Bali experience, blend elevated itineraries with community, culture, and soft-life energy. I serve busy professionals, couples, and groups who want beautifully planned travel without the stress. Inclusivity is at the core of my work — I also support special needs and accessible travel to ensure everyone has the opportunity to explore the world comfortably.

At Wander World Destinations, I combine expert planning with storytelling, strategy, and high-touch service to create trips people remember forever. I’m passionate about empowering women to travel boldly, live softly, and experience the world in ways that change them.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I didn’t always know I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I always knew I wanted more freedom, creativity, and purpose than a traditional career could offer me. Over time, I realized that the roles I excelled in — supporting leaders, organizing chaos, curating experiences, and bringing big visions to life — were actually preparing me to build something of my own.

Entrepreneurship became the natural next step once I saw that I could create a business that aligned with my passions, served people in meaningful ways, and allowed me to design the life I truly wanted. So while I didn’t grow up saying, “I’ll run my own company,” I absolutely grew into the woman who was meant to.

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

When I first launched my business, my marketing strategy was simple: show up consistently, build trust, and let people experience the heart behind my brand. I started by leveraging Instagram and Facebook, sharing travel tips, destination highlights, and behind-the-scenes content that showcased my knowledge and passion. I also tapped into my existing network—friends, colleagues, and referrals—to let them know I was officially in business and ready to serve.

I focused heavily on storytelling and education, using social media to position myself as a resource rather than just another travel agent. I also invested early in building a clean website, email list, and clear brand identity so people could recognize and trust Wander World Destinations from day one.

Did everything go as planned? Not exactly—and that’s the beauty of entrepreneurship. Some strategies worked faster than expected, like word-of-mouth referrals and social content that resonated deeply. Others took time, like refining my niche, expanding into luxury and group travel, and learning what truly converts my audience. But every step—planned and unplanned—helped me grow into the business owner I am today.

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

I’m most proud of building a brand that genuinely transforms the way people travel. From curating luxury group experiences like Uncorked & Unbothered to planning destination weddings, honeymoons, and once-in-a-lifetime trips, I’ve created a company that people trust with their biggest moments. I’m proud that my business has grown through integrity, referrals, and real relationships — not shortcuts. I’m proud that I’ve been able to support special needs travelers and families who often feel overlooked. And I’m proud that women show up on my trips and leave more confident, connected, and restored than when they arrived. But above all, I’m proud of building something from the ground up that reflects who I am, serves my community, and continues to open doors I once only dreamed about.

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

My go-to interview question is: “How do you approach problem-solving when things don’t go as planned?”

In the travel industry — and entrepreneurship in general — things can shift quickly. I want to understand how someone thinks under pressure, how they communicate, and whether they can stay calm, solution-focused, and resourceful. Their answer tells me a lot about their mindset, their work style, and how they’d support both me and my clients. I’m not just hiring for skills — I’m hiring for attitude, integrity, and the ability to create ease in a fast-moving environment.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before launching Wander World Destinations, I built a strong foundation in marketing, executive support, and client experience. I spent years working as an Executive Assistant, where I mastered organization, high-level coordination, problem-solving, and anticipating needs before they were spoken — all skills that directly shape the seamless, concierge-level service I offer my clients today.

Alongside my EA experience, I also worked in marketing and operations, giving me a deep understanding of how to manage projects, communicate clearly, and create exceptional customer experiences. Those combined strengths naturally transitioned into the travel industry and became the backbone of my agency.

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

I started my business because I wanted to create the kind of travel experiences I didn’t see enough of — intentional, inclusive, and beautifully curated trips that truly serve people. After years of supporting executives and helping build other people’s visions, I realized it was time to build my own. Travel has always been my personal form of joy, healing, and connection, and I wanted to help others experience that same transformation. I saw a real need for a travel agency that understands luxury, values community, supports special needs travelers, and prioritizes stress-free planning for busy women, couples, and families. Taking the leap was my way of combining passion with purpose — creating a business that allows people to explore the world with confidence, comfort, and a little bit of soft-life magic.

Do you have any recent wins?

Absolutely — this past year has been full of meaningful wins! I expanded Wander World Destinations into the luxury and group travel space, officially launching my signature women’s trip Uncorked & Unbothered in Napa Valley. I curated destination weddings and honeymoons for clients traveling to places like Jamaica, Italy, Egypt, and Colorado — each experience reaffirming the trust people place in me to shape their most meaningful moments.

I also celebrated major visibility milestones. I was featured in Shoutout DFW, which highlighted my entrepreneurial journey and the heart behind my business. And I was honored to be featured on the Dripping in Black Podcast, giving me the opportunity to share my story, my mission, and the deeper purpose behind Wander World Destinations.

Behind the scenes, I’ve refined my systems, welcomed a virtual assistant into my business, and continued building a strong, engaged community of women who travel with intention. I’ve also deepened my commitment to supporting special needs and accessible travel, ensuring every traveler feels seen and supported. This year has truly been a mix of growth, alignment, and stepping boldly into the CEO I’m becoming — and I’m incredibly proud of that.

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

The one app I absolutely cannot live without is Asana. It keeps my entire business organized — client workflows, trip planning, content creation, deadlines, and communication with my virtual assistant. As a travel entrepreneur juggling multiple moving parts, Asana is the reason everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. It helps me stay focused, prioritize the right tasks, and keep my business operating like a well-oiled machine, even on my busiest days.

Who are your customers?

My customers are busy professionals, luxury-minded women, couples, and groups who want beautifully curated travel without the stress of planning it themselves. They value elevated experiences, personalized itineraries, and expert guidance — whether they’re booking a destination wedding, honeymoon, birthday trip, or joining one of my signature luxury group experiences. I also proudly serve families and travelers with special needs by offering accessible travel planning to ensure everyone can explore the world comfortably and confidently.

What's your top productivity tip?

My top productivity tip is to systemize everything that doesn’t require your personal genius — and pair it with intentional time-blocking.

Create templates, automate repetitive tasks, and build workflows so your energy is spent on the work that actually moves the business forward. Then, use time-blocking to protect your focus by giving every task its own space on the calendar. For me, that means using tools like Asana, Calendly, and email templates, having clear processes for client onboarding and trip planning, and blocking time for CEO tasks, content creation, admin work, and rest. Productivity isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things at the right time, with systems that support your success.

What's your favorite business tool?

My favorite business tool is TravelJoy — hands down. It’s the backbone of my client experience. TravelJoy allows me to manage proposals, itineraries, invoices, contracts, and communication all in one place, which is crucial in the travel industry where organization and clarity matter. It streamlines the entire planning process, keeps my clients informed, and helps me deliver that elevated, white-glove experience Wander World Destinations is known for. Paired with Asana for internal operations, TravelJoy keeps my business running smoothly from first inquiry to final “bon voyage.”

What's your approach to work-life balance?

My approach to work-life balance is rooted in intentional integration — not perfection. I’ve learned that as an entrepreneur, life and work don’t always fall into neat, separate boxes, so instead of fighting that, I create harmony by designing a flow that supports both.

For me, that looks like: Time-blocking my days so work has clear boundaries. Building in moments of joy and rest, even during busy seasons. Allowing flexibility, while still protecting my non-negotiables. Traveling often, which keeps me inspired and creatively fueled. Being fully present wherever I am — whether it’s with a client, on a trip, or at home recharging. Instead of chasing “balance,” I focus on alignment: Does my schedule match my values? Does my work leave room for my life? When the answer is yes, everything flows more smoothly.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by giving myself permission to rest just as intentionally as I work. As entrepreneurs, we’re wired to push, produce, and pour into others — but I’ve learned that the best version of me shows up when I’m honoring my limits.

I protect my energy by: Time-blocking rest the same way I time-block work. Setting boundaries around my availability. Leaning on systems and support instead of trying to do everything myself. Taking real breaks — whether it’s a solo trip, a quiet morning routine, or simply stepping away from my laptop. Reconnecting with the joy behind my business, especially travel, community, and storytelling. Burnout creeps in when I ignore my needs, so now I listen to my body, honor my seasons, and give myself grace. Rest is a CEO strategy — and protecting my peace is part of protecting my business.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas is this: start before you feel ready, and trust that you will grow into every version of yourself you need to be. This is easier said than done, I know. Entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about having the courage to take the first step and the resilience to keep going.

A few lessons that changed everything for me: Done is better than perfect. Perfection will slow you down. Momentum will move you forward. Build systems early. Automations, templates, and workflows will save you time, energy, and sanity as you grow. Your uniqueness is your superpower. Lean into what makes your voice, your story, and your approach different. That’s what attracts the right clients. Ask for help. Hire support, lean on your community, and invest in tools that make your life easier. You don’t have to do this alone. Give yourself grace. Entrepreneurship is a journey with seasons — busy ones, quiet ones, growth-filled ones, and everything in between. Most importantly: Believe that your business is worthy, your dreams are valid, and you’re capable of building something bigger than you imagined.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

‍