I Quit My Job To Help People See The World

For years, I thought I’d spend my entire career in the coffee industry. I worked for a major coffee company — not a quiet corner café, but a busy, high-energy store where the goal wasn’t just selling drinks, it was selling the experience. I loved it: the fast pace, the morning rush, the people who came in every day and left a little brighter than when they arrived. Coffee was the vehicle, but the real magic was the connection — the stories shared over the counter, the laughter during hectic mornings, the sense that we were part of people’s routines in a meaningful way.

But somewhere between early mornings and the constant challenge of maintaining boundaries in a fast-paced environment, I started to realize what I loved most wasn’t the coffee itself — it was connection. I loved hearing about people’s lives, their vacations, their dream destinations. That curiosity grew into something more — a sense that maybe the thing I loved most about my job wasn’t unique to coffee at all. Maybe it was something I could carry into a completely different career.

When I started Ryan Garcia Travel, my goal wasn’t to create elaborate luxury trips or Instagram-perfect itineraries. It was to make travel feel possible for everyone — especially the people who thought it wasn’t for them. My favorite clients are the ones who tell me, “I’ve always dreamed of going to Europe, but I never thought it could actually happen.” Because that’s where the magic begins.

I remember one evening while traveling in Italy, sharing wine and dinner with two women from California who were on a wine trip through France and Italy. As we laughed and swapped travel stories, I told them about my goals with Ryan Garcia Travel. One of them smiled and said, “I love that! You are literally making people’s dreams come true.” I had never thought of it that way before, but the way she said it stuck with me. That simple observation perfectly captured what I wanted my business to be about: taking someone’s dream — something they’ve kept tucked away for years — and turning it into a real, tangible experience.

One of the biggest myths about travel is that it’s too expensive, too complicated, or only for a certain kind of person. But the truth is, a trip to Italy can often be cheaper than a trip to Disney World. I love seeing people’s faces when I tell them that. A week exploring the Amalfi Coast or wandering through Rome can cost less than a week of park tickets, resort hotels, and quick-service meals. The difference is that no one tells you that. We grow up thinking travel is for the wealthy or the retired, when in reality, with a bit of planning and guidance, it can be more attainable than most people imagine.

That’s where I come in. My role as a travel advisor isn’t just to handle logistics — it’s to make travel feel accessible and personal. Every itinerary I build tells a story, and no two are ever the same. Some clients want to retrace family roots in Italy. Others want to surprise their partner with a romantic trip to Paris. And some just want to go somewhere, even if they’re not sure where to start. Those are my favorite conversations — the ones that begin with uncertainty and end in excitement.

These days, I spend more time in Europe myself, not just because I love it, but because it helps me better serve my clients. I want to know firsthand which small towns are worth the detour, which local guides make a difference, and which experiences are actually worth the hype. It’s all part of creating travel that feels real, thoughtful, and full of heart.

When I think about how far I’ve come — from the busy coffee counter to designing dream itineraries across the globe — it feels like everything has come full circle. The same things I loved about coffee — connection, creativity, and community — are the same things I love about travel. The only difference is the view.

At its core, Ryan Garcia Travel was built on one simple belief: travel should feel possible. You don’t have to have everything figured out or an unlimited budget. You just need the willingness to dream — and someone who knows how to help you get there.

From selling experiences over coffee to creating unforgettable journeys around the world, my mission has stayed the same: to help people connect, discover, and feel a little more at home in the world, wherever they go.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to travel, but I don’t even know where to start,” that’s exactly what I’m here for. Let’s turn that dream trip into something real.