Travel Tips From Boss Ladies

Looking for your next adventure?

Allow us to feature the following Travel-Xperts as they share tips, advice and their personal journeys of intertwining travel into their daily life. Enjoy these travel tips by  boss ladies: Monxi, Founder of SUAVS & Cassy, Founder of LadyLab as they run their companies on the move. 


Monxi Garza
SUAVS, CEO & Founder
Her love of travel has pushed her to figure out how to work remotely. 

What is the main factor in you choosing your next travel destination/destinations? 

Since our family is based in different countries (US, Mexico, Spain, and China), we’re usually planning our trips based on nearest/easiest locations to get to from our usual home towns.  Last trip we took was to Morocco, which was a cheap $70 Ryanair flight from Madrid.

Any tips that help you incorporate travel into your lifestyle?

I try to plan vacation travel around regular family, work or business trips.  If there’s somewhere I already have to travel to, then just planning fun things around that.  I sometimes also like to do spontaneous weekend getaways.  Last spontaneous trip we took, was a last minute decision to drive to New Orleans for the weekend.  Spontaneous trips are the BEST - We had a blast!

How do you determine length of your stay?

It depends.  If you’re visiting an entirely new country, you want to give at least 10-15 days for you to really get to know the culture and visit the most important spots.  I don’t like going to more than one country at a time, I would rather fully dive into the culture for the entire trip.

Any packing hacks?

I take usually take 2-3 pairs of shorts and pants that can be perfectly combined with all my tops, so you can create at least 15 different outfits from a few pieces.  Then of course, I always take my SUAVS and either a pair of sandals for summer or a pair of comfy boots for winter travel.

Pre travel, I look up all fun activities I can do around the area. Food is a big part of my travels, so I look up 1-2 good restaurants or food markets that I absolutely have to visit.

Any pre or post travel rituals?

Pre travel, I look up all fun activities I can do around the area. Food is a big part of my travels, so I look up 1-2 good restaurants or food markets that I absolutely have to visit.

Best advice you can think of to give to a fellow traveler?

The best way to really get to know a culture is to meet and become friends with someone who is local.  Be open to meeting people in small towns and having conversations.


Cassy Martinez
LadyLab, Founder & CEO

Prior to falling in love with getting lost in foreign cities, I was preoccupied with climbing the corporate ladder. All of that, suddenly stopped when I was laid off overnight from my fast-paced job in Los Angeles.  Today, for me, traveling is nourishment. It's a soul food my body can't thrive without. 

What is the main factor in you choosing your next travel destination/destinations? 

I typically start off with crafting a custom Google Map highlighting the cities that catch my eye, and plan a little route that makes sense. 

However, a lot of the times, I end up ditching the Google Map and actually get inspired by the people I meet! A simple conversation in the common room of the hostel or with my bunk buddy can totally get me on Hostelworld or Omio booking my next destination.

Any tips that help you incorporate travel into your lifestyle?

I prefer long-term travel vs. a week or two away - simply because I need the time to get into that “travel mindset.” In order for me to travel for the longer periods of time that I enjoy, I am a digital freelancer working in community management and social strategy -- meaning I can work for my clients from anywhere with good wifi. One of my favorite things to do in each city is Google “Best wifi cafes in _____.” Each day, I pack up my backpack, hit up a local cafe and bang out 2-3 hours of quality work for clients all over the world - helping me to make some extra cash while on the road.

How do you determine length of your stay?

I’m a big fan of traveling in Europe, where you have a wide array of options for getting around that are quite affordable. Whether it’s a plane, train, bus or BlaBlaCar - you’re bound to find a cheap way to get some Point A to Point B. With that being said, I typically book 3-4 nights in a highly-recommended hostel, then extend if I’m feeling it.  I rarely have my next plane or train booked until I give a place a shot and decide whether I want to settle in or bounce to the next place.

Any packing hacks?

I’m terrible at packing, so I’ll always get a second opinion. My roommate will come in and do an “audit” of everything I packed - usually removing half the stuff I packed because I have something nearly identical. My trick is pack light, chuck or donate what I don’t need as the weather evolves and then find a great thrift shop to re-up on threads!

Any pre or post travel rituals?

PRE: Set my Tinder profile for the first city on my trip… Not even joking. Setting up a date or two with a cute local who is down to show you their favorite hide-outs is one of my favorite ways to kick off a trip with a little romance.

POST: Cry? Just kidding. While the end of a trip is always sad, I try and keep the magic with me by journaling about my experiences, doing my best to continue getting over 10,000 steps a day at home like you can easily do while traveling, and treating my city and surrounding areas like a traveler - discovering new sights and attractions that I may have never known about before. 

Best advice you can think of to give to a fellow traveler?

Don’t treat cities like a checklist. Stay in the moment. Don’t be afraid of strangers (well, be afraid of some).


1 comment


  • Vicki Digby

    I am 72 years old and so agree! My words are “enjoy the economy”, in other words talk with locals. I will also say, even though I was not going to wear them until my upcoming trip to Europe with my grandson, I have not taken my SUAVS off. I am waiting for his size to come back in. Two of my grandchildren (6 and 12) spent two weeks with me in Mexico last year (yes Mexico). This year my 15 year old (of yesterday) grandson and I are going to Europe for four weeks. I travel the US in my Airstream “Faith” alone. I enjoy meeting people, DO IT…….ENJOY


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