Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce de Mello.
Hi Joyce, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Portugal and later attended hotel management school in Spain, which gave me a strong foundation in hospitality at an early age. While I initially worked in hotels, I quickly realized I wanted exposure beyond traditional hospitality, which led me to move to New York City.
My career began in the music industry which included working at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, where I managed brand relationships across a roster of musicians and athletes. From there, I joined a range of startups at different stages, restaurant review platform, delivery platforms, and marketing-driven businesses, gaining hands-on experience across operations, customer experience, branding, and growth.
Parallel to all of this, travel was always my constant. I was the “unofficial official” trip planner for friends and family, organizing ski trips to Colorado, villa stays in Mexico, cross-country road trips, and travel of all kinds. Planning trips was something I did instinctively and joyfully, long before it was ever a business idea.
COVID became a turning point. I was impacted by two separate layoffs, which forced me to reevaluate what I wanted long term. Around that same time, friends on a trip I had planned encouraged me to pursue travel planning professionally, pointing out what I had always done naturally. Hearing that external validation made me take the idea seriously in a way I hadn’t before.
During my layoffs I consulted across several industries and during that time I decided to join a host travel agency and began booking trips on the side and learning more about the industry. After about a year and a half, I decided to fully commit. I officially launched Marola Travel in September 2025, and by the end of that year, the business had grown sales by over 500% from when I first started the year prior.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road, and I don’t think most meaningful businesses are. The layoffs during COVID were difficult personally and professionally, but they also forced me to build resilience and adaptability. Starting a service-based business means wearing every hat at once: sales, marketing, operations, client management, finance, and problem-solving in real time.
Another challenge was trusting myself enough to fully commit. For a long time, travel planning felt like something I was “good at,” but not something I was allowed to build a business around. Overcoming that internal hesitation was one of the hardest parts.
Finally, educating clients on the value of working with a professional travel advisor, especially in an era of online booking, has been an ongoing effort. Once clients experience the level of personalization, advocacy, and time savings, it clicks, but getting past that initial perception can be a hurdle.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Marola Travel?
Marola Travel is a boutique travel agency focused on highly personalized, experience-driven itineraries. We specialize in custom travel, honeymoons and romantic trips, milestone celebrations, and thoughtfully planned leisure travel. But also last minute quick weekend trips that people might not want to plan themselves. We also book all types of cruises, we do all the heavy work so our clients can just show up and enjoy!
What sets Marola Travel apart is the combination of deep hospitality training, global lived experience, and my network of thousands professionals around the world. I’ve lived on four continents, worked across multiple industries, and understand travel both from the guest side and behind the scenes. Clients aren’t just receiving hotel bookings, they’re receiving curated experiences, vetted partners, proactive communication, and hands-on support before, during, and after their trip.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust clients place in me. Many trips involve significant moments, honeymoons, anniversaries, once-in-a-lifetime journeys, and being entrusted with that responsibility is something I take seriously. My goal is for clients to feel confident, supported, and genuinely excited, knowing every detail has been thoughtfully handled.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has certainly played a role, but I believe it tends to meet preparation and consistency. The layoffs during COVID felt like bad luck at the time, yet they created the space for me to pivot and build something more aligned with my strengths. On the other hand, good luck has shown up through timing, meeting the right people, entering industries at moments of change, and having a supportive network that believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
Ultimately, luck may open doors, but sustained growth comes from showing up, doing the work, and being willing to adapt.
Pricing:
- Yes, Marola Travel operates on a transparent, service-based model. Pricing varies depending on trip complexity and scope, but general guidelines include:
- Hotel and cruise only bookings: No planning fee, we’re able to secure perks like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and flexible check-in/check-out at thousands of luxury properties worldwide, at no extra cost to you.
- Custom trip planning: Planning fees generally start at a few hundred dollars and scale based on length, destination(s), and complexity
- Group travel or multi-country itineraries: Custom pricing based on scope and coordination needs
- Every client receives a tailored proposal, and fees are always clearly outlined upfront.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marolatravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marolatravel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelwithmarola
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marolatravel
- Other: https://share.google/HsIgLKb0NAK6alwqi
Image Credits
Joyce de Mello
Emily Schindler
