Boss Mama Story: Italy Is Calling!

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I’m so honored to be featuring this next person—one of my best friends, Tori. She’s a full-time travel blogger, but before I dive into her story, I have to share a little bit about our story.

Background Story

I first met Tori back in 2022, and from the moment we connected, it felt like I had known her for years. We instantly clicked, and I just knew she’d be one of those lifelong friends. She’s one of those rare people you meet and instantly vibe with—my total soul sister. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself. I truly hope you get to have a friendship like this in your life someday because wow, it’s something special.

Our first meetup was at a local coffee shop (shocker, right?). That’s always my vibe. We originally planned to just chat and connect, but of course, it quickly turned into business talk! At the time, my daughter was only a few months old, and I was still running my event planning business. Tori had just started her travel blog and was eager to learn everything she could about building a business. She soaked up every bit of advice I shared and was genuinely invested in learning. At the time, I didn’t think much of it—but looking back now, it’s funny how life works out. That moment planted the seed for what I’d eventually build my own business around years later.

That coffee chat kicked off not just an amazing friendship, but also the beginning of what’s now a thriving travel blog for Tori. She’s turned her passion into a full-fledged business. And she just launched something so exciting on her website that you’ll hear more about as you keep reading her story.

What makes me most proud of Tori is her relentless determination to create the life she dreamed of. Tori didn’t want to stay stuck in her 9–5. She and her husband were growing their family, and her ultimate goal was to become a full-time stay-at-home Mom. Her dream was for her blog to provide for their family—and she made it happen! Within a year or two, her blog was earning more than her full-time job–mind blown. That’s that power of determination, faith, and a whole lot of hard work. After her first daughter was born, she left her 9–5 and went all in on her business so she could be home with her little one.

Now, she and her husband have two beautiful babies. She’s working from home, growing her business, and living life completely on her own terms. She’s carving her own path and building the future she always envisioned. Honestly, how much more inspirational can it get? I’m beyond proud of her and can’t wait to see what amazing things are still to come for this beautiful soul.

I can’t wait for you to hear more about her story.

So grab your coffee, dive into Tori’s story below—you’re going to love it.

And don’t forget to go check out her website and see where she’s traveling to next!

Your Story

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

I’m a travel blogger who helps busy families plan action-packed, culture-rich vacations all while balancing a 9-to-5 schedule.

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

I started my blog in 2022 after years of dreaming about it! Everything changed after a two-week trip to Italy — I came home inspired and finally decided to make the investment and go for it. From there, I dove headfirst into researching everything I could about starting a blog and turning it into a profitable business.

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

Shortly after I started my blog, I found out I was pregnant!

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

My daughters are the main reason I wanted to build this business — they give me the encouragement I need every day to keep growing. It’s not always easy, especially when my little helper decides to slam on the keyboard, haha! But it’s incredibly rewarding to spend each day at home with them while still supporting our family financially.

Spill a fun little secret about you!

I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

Your Business

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

I create travel articles to help people plan their perfect vacations, and I also offer travel guide eBooks!

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

I try to keep things super real, sharing my firsthand experiences — the good and the not-so-good! I also love helping people plan vacations that actually fit into their busy work schedules with limited PTO, since that’s exactly what my husband has to work with too.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

I recently started a new blog focused on toddler-friendly recipes! I’m thrilled to be exploring two different topics that I’m truly passionate about.

I’m also excited to announce that I just launched a new “Shop” page on my travel blog featuring super detailed travel eBooks! It’s the ultimate one-stop shop for travelers who want to plan their dream vacation—without spending hundreds of hours researching. There’s so much people need to know (but don’t even know to ask!), so I’ve laid it all out in these handy guides. The Italy eBook is just the beginning, with many more destinations to come!

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

I wake up when my girls do, then we get ready for the day and hit the gym! After that, I tackle errands or appointments before heading home to do chores and make lunch. Once lunch is done, it’s nap time and that’s when I focus completely on my business. After naps, we play, then I start dinner. We eat, do bath time, and follow the bedtime routine. Once they’re both asleep, I dive back into work until I can’t keep my eyes open. Then… we do it all over again!

Advice for Mompreneurs

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

Learn, learn, learn! You’ll be far more successful if you learn from people who have already been there. Don’t make it harder on yourself by figuring everything out alone. Listen to podcasts, read books and blogs, watch YouTube videos, and don’t be afraid to invest in courses. It will absolutely be worth it!

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

Time! It’s so hard to carve out time for work when you want to focus on your kids. Find a time that works for you and commit to it.

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

I prioritize working whenever they’re asleep. When they’re awake, it’s hard to get much done, but that’s when I focus on them and pour my energy into spending quality time together.

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

You can’t control everything. For example, as a blogger, I can’t directly control my blog traffic. So during the good months, save up and be prepared for the slower ones!

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

Buying courses—I would 100% not be where I am today without them. Honestly, I probably would have given up by now!

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

It’s temporary. Find just one win and focus on it. Whenever I get excited about a “win,” it motivates me to work harder and push through the tough times!

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

What’s your “why”? What’s your long-term goal? Focus on that, and you’ll always find a way to make your dream happen!

It’s funny how life has a way of coming full circle. These days, Tori is my go-to sounding board for all things business and honestly, she’s a huge reason I started my blog in the first place. After closing my business in 2023, she was that little voice in my ear saying, “Start a blog—you won’t regret it!”

She spoke so passionately about the flexibility it offered and how it would still allow me to pour my time and love into my child, something I deeply craved. So when I was finally ready to jump back into entrepreneurship with a clear vision of what I wanted, her voice popped up again, reminding me exactly what this next chapter could look like.

I value her advice, her friendship, and her honesty—and that’s truly what this community is all about. It’s about connecting, collaborating, and helping each other build the lives we dream of. Because when we work together, we’re unstoppable. There’s nothing Moms can’t do, especially when we have the support, strength, and guidance of those around us.

I love you, friend. I’m so incredibly proud of you and the life you have created—the life you always dreamed of. You’re a true inspiration and living proof that with a little help, hard work, and determination, we can create the life we want—on our own terms.

Don’t forget to check her out online and cheer her on too!

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Tori. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.