Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylea Shuck.
Hi Kaylea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Travel has always been part of my life story. Both my parents grew in expat families: my mom in Brazil and Argentina, my dad in the UK and Nigeria. So from early on, I grew up hearing all these amazing stories of living around the world and experiencing different cultures.
In addition, I got to spend some of my childhood living in London and Singapore, which really shaped how I see the world. These weren’t vacation spots for us, they were home. Each place taught me that there’s so much richness in how different cultures approach life, food, community, all of it.
That fascination led me to study anthropology in college, where I got to dive deeper into understanding different societies and what makes them tick. I did study abroad programs in Chile and China, spent trips backpacking across Europe, and just fell in love with the idea that travel could be this incredible window into humanity.
After getting my MBA, I went the traditional corporate route for about 15 years in marketing and advertising for big and small agencies. I enjoyed the creative strategy work, but something was missing. I was building campaigns instead of building actual experiences that mattered to people.
The real turning point came when my father had a stroke that left him in a wheelchair. Suddenly, our family’s travel planning became incredibly complex, and that’s when I personally experienced the true value of having a travel expert who really knows what they’re doing. It wasn’t just about the wheelchair, it was about understanding that everyone has specific things that matter to them when they travel, and getting those details right makes a huge difference.
For my dad, it was mobility considerations. But for others, it might be dietary restrictions, or wanting authentic cultural experiences, or prioritizing high-quality local cuisine, or celebrating a special milestone. Some need high-touch and amenity-filled accommodations, while others simply want a clean spot to lay their head at night. The point is, we all have something that’s really important to us, and most people don’t travel frequently enough to become experts in navigating all these details themselves.
That experience taught me that truly elevated travel isn’t only about the most expensive hotels or the fanciest amenities, it’s about having someone who takes the time to understand what matters to you personally, and then designs an experience around those priorities. Whether that’s specific needs, cultural interests, comfort preferences, or celebration requirements.
So I left corporate life to start BespokeAbility Travel. The name captures what we’re all about: “Bespoke” because every trip should be tailored to what’s important to you specifically, and “Ability” because we focus on what each person can do and wants to experience.
We work with all kinds of travelers: families wanting meaningful connections, couples celebrating anniversaries, solo adventurers seeking authentic experiences, people who need specific accommodations, food lovers, history buffs, you name it. The common thread is that they all understand that travel experiences are precious, and they don’t happen often enough to waste on generic, one-size-fits-all trips.
What I learned from my family’s experience is that when you have someone who truly understands both destinations and individual needs, whatever those needs might be, travel becomes transformative instead of just transactional. That’s what we try to create for every client: travel that’s elevated not just in terms of luxury, but in terms of personal meaning and seamless execution.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? No. Worth it? Yes!
There have been plenty of pivots and restarts. When I first entered the travel industry, it seemed straightforward from the outside. Anyone can book travel, right? But once you’re behind the scenes, you realize how incredibly complex and fragmented this industry is. There are endless suppliers, platforms, and tools, and as a solo business owner, you’re often figuring it out alone.
The training and support varies wildly. Sometimes you get literally nothing, sometimes you get basic guidance, but it’s never comprehensive. You HAVE to be willing to push through and figure it out. And it’s not just about booking travel. You have to become proficient in website development, SEO, social media management, finance, insurance—essentially running every department of a business by yourself. I’ll never forget spending days and days trying to figure out why my business Facebook and Instagram pages wouldn’t connect, just pulling my hair out over something that should have been simple.
Beyond the logistics, there’s this tremendous weight of responsibility that I don’t think people realize. When you’re booking travel for yourself and something goes wrong, you own that. But when you’re entrusted with someone’s honeymoon, anniversary trip, or once-in-a-decade family reunion, the stakes are so much higher. These are milestone moments that might only happen once, and I feel that responsibility deeply. Making sure those experiences go smoothly isn’t just professional, it’s personal.
Then there’s the business reality: you don’t get paid when you make a booking, but typically after the client travels. That could be three months later, but more often it’s six, nine, or twelve months down the road. Starting out means playing the long game and investing time, energy, and money long before you see any financial return.
Most of my early clients were friends and family who graciously let me learn as I went. But building beyond that circle is really challenging, especially since travel is such a personal, high-value purchase. People need to trust you with their precious time and money. On top of all that, I relocated from Chicago to Greenville mid-journey, which meant starting over without any existing network. I had to immerse myself in the community, attend events, and work hard to build credibility from scratch.
It’s been lonely, frustrating, and complicated at times. But the reward of creating meaningful travel experiences, knowing what’s at stake for the people I serve, has made every challenge worth it.
We’ve been impressed with BespokeAbility Travel, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
BespokeAbility Travel is a luxury travel agency that specializes in creating elevated, personalized travel experiences for discerning travelers. We design vacations that go far beyond typical booking services. We’re travel curators who craft meaningful journeys tailored to each client’s unique vision, needs, and interests.
Our approach is built on four key pillars that define everything we do. First, we maintain an unwavering commitment to quality through relationships with cruise, hotel, tour, and transport suppliers worldwide who consistently deliver exceptional experiences. Second, we believe in customization that truly counts. We invest time upfront understanding your wants, needs, and expectations, then focus our energy and resources on designing the moments that matter most to you.
Third, we transcend the typical. Cookie-cutter experiences aren’t for us. We seek places, partners, and experiences that break through tourist noise to provide deeper connections to the people and cultures you encounter. Finally, we’re proudly inclusive. We believe everyone should enjoy their vacation to the fullest, regardless of mobility or other considerations. If there’s a barrier to enjoying your experience, we’ll find a way to remove it.
While we design all types of travel, we have particular expertise in ocean and river cruising, resort vacations, and bespoke itineraries and experiences. We work with solo-travelers, couples, multi-generational families, and affinity-groups (a wine-group’s tour of Tuscany or a health group’s trip to a wellness resort).
At BespokeAbility Travel, we’re most proud to have redefined what luxury travel means. For us, luxury isn’t just about a five-star price tag, it’s about the experience of having every detail thoughtfully designed and seamlessly handled for you. The true luxury is the service: knowing that your trip is tailored around what matters most to you, while we take care of everything else. Elevated travel doesn’t always require an extravagant budget; it requires a bespoke approach that makes each journey feel uniquely special through meaningful details and customized choices
Our tagline says it all: “Travel designed to elevate your journey.” We deliver truly elevated experiences not just through our carefully curated destination and partner network, but through thoughtful touches and customized choices that make your travel feel authentically yours.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you have to be bold and put yourself out there. At least once a week, I try to get out of the office and engage in the real world. I often sit in a café or hotel lounge with a friend or working on a computer – you never know who you might encounter! If you’re kind and friendly to everyone, you’d be surprised how easy it is to strike up a conversation and learn about someone.
I have also signed up for local networking events, business gatherings, or industry-specific conferences. Personally, I don’t naturally enjoy these types of events. I’m more of a one-on-one, meaningful conversation type of person. Walking into a room full of strangers and trying to “sell” myself is outside my comfort zone. But I’ve realized that meaningful connections matter more than the number of people I meet. I focus on asking thoughtful questions and really listening, which often leads to the most valuable relationships.
I’ve also learned that opportunities don’t just appear, you have to ask for what you want or need. When I wanted guidance or mentorship, I had to be proactive and specific about what I was looking and seek it out. At the same time, I’ve seen how important it is to give as much as you receive. Offering support, sharing knowledge, or connecting others often creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone.
Ultimately, I approach networking not as a way to grow followers or sell more travel, but as a chance to learn about people, understand what they do, and see how we can support each other on this crazy ride we’re all on. That mindset leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships that create value in ways beyond just sales.
Putting yourself out there isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth it.
Pricing:
- Planning fees start at $50, depending on the complexity of the booking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BespokeAbility.com
- Instagram: bespokeability_travel
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bespokeability
