How Katiya Plummer Built The Katiya Experience to Take the Stress Out of Travel for Groups, Founders, and Couples

Meet Katiya Plummer, founder of The Katiya Experience, a high-touch travel practice she launched after a fulfilling career in corporate technology. Katiya curates journeys for corporate offsites, complex social groups, and independent travelers, handling the intricate logistical lifting so her clients can step away from the planning and actually be present for the experience.

What makes Katiya's practice stand out is the quiet operational rigor underneath the romance of travel. Drawing on years in product roles inside tech companies, she has built out automations, a customized CRM, and rigorous standard operating procedures, the kind of backend most travel agencies do not bother with. The result is a business that feels effortless to clients precisely because nothing about it is improvised.

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I'm Katiya Plummer, the founder of The Katiya Experience. After a fulfilling career in corporate technology, I embraced my "Act Two" as an empty nester and launched a travel company dedicated to seamless, high-touch experiences. I serve as a strategic travel partner curating journeys for corporate offsites, complex groups, and independent travelers. My mission is to handle the intricate details of travel so my clients can simply step away from the stress of planning and focus entirely on connecting with their destination and each other.

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

I'm not sure I had a solid marketing strategy at the very beginning! I thought that if I simply told my friends and family that I owned a travel company and shared it on social media, clients would automatically come. I quickly learned that the "if you build it, they will come" mindset is not at all true. I'm still amazed at how quickly some people build their portfolios, but I've found that I have to consistently talk about my business and showcase my expertise just to stay top-of-mind with my network so they remember what I do.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I think so, yes! I have always dreamed of owning an event space or doing interior design. It's funny because once I started focusing on myself again, I realized my core dreams haven't really changed. I still want to own beautiful event spaces and curate immersive experiences for people. I sometimes wish it hadn't taken me so long to get back to my true passions, but I am so glad I finally did. I can't wait to see where this next chapter takes me.

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

I am most proud of the fact that I have the entire backend of my business fully set up. Drawing on my background in technology and operations, I have successfully implemented all my automations, customized my CRM, and established rigorous standard operating procedures. Having all these essential operational foundations dialed in means my business is perfectly equipped to successfully run and scale!

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

I wish I had known that building a consistent client portfolio was going to be much harder than I initially thought!

What did you do before starting your own business?

My background is in corporate technology. I spent my career in product roles, working directly with customers to solve their problems using technology. This gave me a strong foundation in eliciting requirements, organization, and finding solutions.

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

I finally had the time to focus on what I truly wanted out of life. As a recent empty nester, I found myself with a lot of newly available free time. I decided to take full advantage of this transitional period to rediscover myself and build a business around what I am most passionate about.

Do you have any recent wins?

Honestly, starting the business itself is a massive win, as I took the leap just over a year ago. Beyond that, the biggest win is the overwhelming feeling that I am finally moving into the exact space I was always meant to be in.

Who are your customers?

My customers fall into a few distinct groups: Leisure travelers who want a fully planned, bespoke itinerary; complex social groups (like multi-gen families or trips of 10 or more) who need someone to manage the heavy logistical lifting and maximize the value of their accommodations; and finally, corporate clients. For businesses, I plan off-site meetings, executive retreats, and incentive trips, and I handle everything from room blocks to ground transportation.

What's your top productivity tip?

This is a great question. I actually wrote a productivity blog for an entire year, so I have a lot to say on the subject! Ultimately, strong time management and staying meticulously organized are the true foundations of productivity.

What's your favorite business tool?

My CRM. It allows me to keep all of my client information centralized in one space, keeping everything nice and organized.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I believe we operate in seasons. You are not likely to achieve perfect work-life balance every single day, some days will require more time at work, and some will require more time away from it. We have to get comfortable with the fact that there isn't a one-size-fits-all measurement for what balance looks like for everyone. You will know when it's time to take some time away and when it's time to put more effort in. Listen to your body and your intuition; they will guide you correctly.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I generally know when I'm doing too much or have taken on more than I should. I make it a point to listen to my body and intentionally take a step back and rest when it tells me I need a break.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Really hone in on what you want out of life. Ask yourself if the business you want to build, or are currently building, truly satisfies what you want your life to look and feel like. Also, don't be discouraged if it takes you longer to become "successful" than you thought it might. It is the perseverance, passion, and energy that you pour into your business that will ultimately get you there.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Right now, I'm actively building out the next couple of years' plan for a new series of highly curated, hosted retreats designed specifically for female founders. I'm hosting these at female-founded properties internationally. I'm really looking forward to launching these in 2027, and I know that, for me, creating this space for women to connect and find collective joy is going to be life-changing.

Katiya's story is a reminder that Act Two does not have to be a slower chapter, it can be the chapter where you finally pour your full self into the business you have been quietly dreaming about for decades. We are so glad to have her in the Entreprenista community and cannot wait to watch The Katiya Experience continue to grow.

Want to connect with founders like Katiya? Visit the Entreprenista League to explore our community and discover more stories of women building businesses that truly matter.