A Big Tech Layoff Prompted Her to Focus Her Profession on Luxurious Journey

This as-told-to essay relies on a dialog with Alaina Appleman, an unbiased luxurious journey designer primarily based in Singapore. Her phrases have been edited for size and readability.

Two years in the past, I used to be laid off from Meta. It was disappointing, but it surely gave me an opportunity to consider what I needed subsequent.

I by no means imagined I’d find yourself designing bespoke journey experiences. On paper, my résumé was all Big Tech and international media, not precisely a direct path into the world of luxurious safaris and personal yachts.

Still, journey has all the time been my private obsession. I’ve visited greater than 100 nations, spent hours digging into obscure corners of the web for vacation spot analysis, and have all the time been the go-to journey planner for associates. After the layoffs, I noticed a approach to flip that zeal right into a profession.

My skilled path as much as that time had been regular. I began out in Washington, DC, at National Geographic and caught round for 11 years. I labored my means up by means of advertising roles within the TV and movie divisions.

In 2015, after finishing my MBA at Georgetown University, the corporate provided me the chance to relocate to Singapore. Within weeks, I used to be on the opposite facet of the world.

I arrived in Singapore with an open thoughts, curious to see the place the chance would lead me.

Provided by Alaina Appleman

After two years in National Geographic’s Singapore workplace, I labored for 2 different American multinationals — first at Time Inc. and later at Meta — in advertising roles. The work was fast-paced, international, and intellectually partaking.

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After shedding my job at Meta, I knew that I needed to remain in Singapore.

Branching out by myself

I launched my enterprise as an unbiased journey designer in 2024, contracting with Blue Sky Escapes, a boutique company primarily based in Singapore, with advisors working throughout the Asia Pacific area.

The monetary dedication wasn’t as daunting as I’d anticipated. By working beneath the corporate’s licenses, model, and sources, it labored very similar to an actual property agent beneath a brokerage.

The investments to begin my firm had been minimal, and I made that again inside a couple of months after my first bookings. I do business from home, so there is no want for an workplace. When I’m invited on familiarization journeys, many of the prices are lined by the lodge, tour operator, or tourism board, however I often pay for my very own flights and sure participation charges.

Provided by Alaina Appleman

It’s all a part of the funding, because it permits me to personally expertise the locations I like to recommend to shoppers. One of the explanations I jumped into this profession was the low danger of getting began.

In my first yr, I despatched friends on 61 journeys throughout 35 nations, with 42 extra already booked into 2026. Unlike my work in Big Tech, this enterprise is not simply scalable, since I customise each element to every shopper’s pursuits and preferences. The journeys I design vary from a single night time at a luxurious resort to three-week adventures in Africa, with commissions usually between 10% and 20%.

Three months in the past, I booked a bunch of associates on a visit to the Faroe Islands. They rode a zodiac boat into grotto caves and loved a personal live performance by native musicians in acoustics they described as not like anything.

I additionally organized a personal eating expertise for a bunch of their 50s and 60s at a fisherman’s residence, the place he shared tales of supplying langoustines to Michelin-starred eating places, royalty, and billionaires. My purpose has all the time been to create lasting recollections.

Provided by Alaina Appleman

Success by myself phrases

Living in Singapore has its benefits. It’s a significant regional hub, permitting me to construct private relationships with suppliers and keep up to date on the most recent choices. The connections I’ve made right here have confirmed invaluable, significantly in time-sensitive conditions.

Unlike company life, there is no month-to-month paycheck. Profits are solely realized after journeys really occur. My day-to-day can also be very completely different. In my company life, my calendar was full of conferences.

Now, whereas I’ve fewer formal conferences, I’m usually glued to my telephone, talking with native companions, curating experiences, reserving lodging, and collaborating with shoppers. When shoppers are touring, I’m actively ensuring all the pieces runs easily.

While the hours are lengthy, I now have the pliability to work from wherever. I’ve booked lodging from a safari lodge in Sri Lanka, joined calls from a snowy mountain in Japan, and answered shopper texts whereas wandering by means of an deserted palace in Iraq. Big Tech had its perks, however I respect these much more.

Changing careers is disruptive, but it surely was the reset button I did not know I wanted. You do not must already “be in the industry” to interrupt into one thing new; I definitely wasn’t.

Do you could have a narrative about transferring to Asia that you just wish to share? Get in contact with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com.