Samantha Schultz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Samantha, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Would I hire me? Absolutely, because I know exactly the kind of care, expertise, and integrity I bring to the table. I don’t just plan trips; I listen, I solve, I personalize. I’ve built this agency on a foundation of trust and thoughtful service, and I approach every itinerary like it’s for someone I care about deeply—because honestly, it is. Whether it’s navigating complex logistics, creating something truly one-of-a-kind, or handling the “uh-oh” moments with calm and grace, I show up fully and consistently. That’s the kind of person I’d want on my team—and that’s the standard I expect from myself and our growing group of advisors.
I think something to note is there’s a big misconception that travel advisors just “book stuff” and while some may, most professional advisors are not glorified search engines. Behind the scenes, it’s research, relationship-building, contract negotiations, navigating vendor quirks, understanding global logistics, staying current with changing policies, and preparing our clients for things they didn’t even know they needed to think about. We’re designing experiences that are tailored, vetted, and supported every step of the way.
That level of care isn’t something an algorithm can offer. It’s the human part of travel planning, and it’s why what we do matters.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Samantha Schultz and I’m the owner of Plan Your Perfect Vacation, a boutique travel agency, redefining what it means to travel well since 2016. I am a seasoned globetrotter who’s journeyed to over 85 countries across all seven continents and with my travel experience combined with my team of passionate, deeply knowledgeable travel advisors, we each bring a unique area of expertise to the table.
What sets my agency apart isn’t just its deep industry connections or its ability to turn even the most complex itinerary into a seamless, stress-free experience—it’s the way we blend personal care with professional insight. Every trip is crafted like a work of art, layered with details that reflect not just the destination, but the traveler’s own goals and intentions.
Although curating dream vacations is what we do day to day, I’m also focused on shaping the future of the travel industry by actively mentoring the next generation of travel advisors, investing in their training and development to ensure the same level of personalized service and thoughtful expertise continues for years to come.
Our current team is focused on continuous education and a very high touch approach to working with clients to ensure they’re capturing every detail and planning at a level that most people don’t want to do or have the time to do. Not all, but many trips are complex, such as safaris in Africa, expedition cruises in Antarctica, sporting events such as Wimbledon and the French Open, and train travel through Switzerland. We’re also planning for solo travelers, families, couples, and groups, often to getaway to resorts with beaches for miles or piecing together cities through Europe and Asia to explore a new country.
We’re not in this for transactions to just book trips. We’re here to build relationships, uncover what matters most to our clients, and craft experiences that feel both elevated and deeply personal. And…if you’re someone with a love of travel and a gift for details, I’m always open to connecting with new talent ready to join the journey with our team.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2011, before I ever imagined running a travel agency, my husband Jeremy and I took a huge bucket list trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime adventures that leaves a permanent mark. But the moment that truly shaped me wasn’t about a bucket-list sight or luxury hotel—it happened on a quiet beach in Fiji, on New Year’s Eve.
We were staying in a simple, mosquito-netted room steps from the ocean. No big party, no fireworks—just the sound of waves and a sky full of stars, playing cards. That night, we stayed up late talking about our dreams, who we wanted to become, and what we hoped the future would hold. It was one of those conversations where I never realized a mention of the future would one day come true. Jeremy saw the spark in me before I did.
Five years later, with his encouragement and support, I launched Plan Your Perfect Vacation. And I’ve carried that moment from Fiji with me ever since. It shaped how I see the world—not just as a place to explore, but as a space to grow into who you’re meant to be. And it reminded me of the power of being truly seen by someone who believes in you.
Now, when I help clients plan meaningful trips—whether it’s a milestone celebration or a quiet reset—I think about that night on the beach. Because sometimes, it’s in the stillness and simplicity that we find the clarity to dream big.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, absolutely. Like so many in the travel industry, the pandemic hit us like a tidal wave. One day, we were finalizing dream itineraries for honeymoons, milestone birthdays, and long-awaited family adventures. The next, we were staring down an inbox full of cancellations, refund requests, and heartbreak.
Our income went to zero overnight—but the work didn’t. In fact, it doubled.
We spent our days (and plenty of late nights) advocating for our clients—fighting for refunds, rescheduling once-in-a-lifetime trips, and offering reassurance to travelers who were watching their carefully planned dreams vanish. Some clients were devastated, some were angry, some just needed someone to talk to. And we were there for all of it. Not because we had to—but because it’s who we are.
There were moments that felt impossible. But deep down, we knew this work mattered. That travel matters. That connection and celebration and exploration will always matter. And so we kept going—through the uncertainty, the exhaustion, the financial fear.
What got us through? Resilience, yes. But also relationships. The trust we built with clients during that time has paid off in loyalty of continued partnership and referrals. There were many travelers that didn’t use our services and reached out for advice. They mentioned sitting on hold with Costco Travel for 8+ hours or unable to reach customer service for an online tour company they booked with no one to advocate for them. This is why our relationships with our partners made the difference for our clients.
We came out stronger, more intentional, and more committed than ever to creating meaningful, seamless travel experiences. And today, as our agency continues to grow, we carry that hard-earned perspective with us: that even in the hardest times, we are built for this. And we’re not going anywhere.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They’d tell you I care. About people, about experiences, and about doing work that actually means something. They’ve seen me pour myself into this business, not just because I love travel, but because I take the responsibility seriously. When someone trusts me with their dream trip, that’s not just a booking—it’s a promise. And I don’t take that lightly.
They’d also say I have an incredible dedication to this work. I’m not just in it for the pretty pictures or passport stamps—I’m in it to build something lasting. They’ve watched me stay up late perfecting a proposal, fight for a client’s refund when things went wrong, and mentor new advisors with the same level of care I give to clients.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes—and in this work, you have to. Most of the trips we plan come together over months, and once our clients are off enjoying them, we often don’t hear much after – sometimes not until six months (or more) later when they’re looking to plan their next trip or we bump into a client and they finally gush a year later about the memories. We understand completely what it is like to return from a trip and go back to “real life” and sometimes the welcome back messages we send get pushed to the back burner and that is totally ok. And while it’s hard to wait and wonder, this work was never about applause.
When someone hands us their travel dreams, whether it’s a honeymoon, a family heritage journey, or just a chance to feel joy again after a hard season, we take that seriously. Every itinerary we build is a reflection of care and intention because we know what these trips mean.
Praise is wonderful. But purpose is what keeps us going. It’s the belief that someone’s life will be a little richer because of a moment we helped create. That they’ll come home with a story, a memory, a shift in perspective. That matters more than recognition—and it’s exactly why we’ll keep giving our all, every single time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.planyourperfectvacation.com
- Instagram: @planyourperfectvacation
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaamyschultz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanYourPerfectVacationTravel
Image Credits
All photos are personal photos taken while traveling with my family.
