Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Finney.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Robin. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I moved to Dallas from Nashville eight years ago to step into a new role with my former company. I was working in the multifamily industry for a company that owned and managed apartment communities. I started in leasing straight out of college, and three years in moved into a marketing role. I created a “work to travel” lifestyle and would use my vacation time each year to travel to new countries. When I was traveling, I felt like I was living a different life.
I tried and experienced more things than I did back home. I would come back from a trip, ready to plan the next one. While I enjoyed working with my team and for a great company, my love for travel and wanting to do it more often never left me. I worked from home, yet my company wanted me in Dallas. I could see a whole world out there with lots of remote workers and knew it was possible.
In July 2017, I went on a Wildhearted Meditation Retreat in Guatemala lead by Dallas local, Ashlie Woods. It was on that retreat that I saw clearly for the first time how safe I was playing it in life–being at the same job for a decade, always living with other people and never on my own, and not dating or taking chances. Travel is where I would take chances. I knew it was time to give up the corporate life and follow up heart. I was ready to turn in my notice when I returned from Guatemala but let fear hold me back. I didn’t have a lot of money saved and wasn’t sure what would happen.
I also learned that if I left before the end of the year, I wouldn’t receive my annual bonus–which I would need to make this jump. That Fall, I enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training with CorePower Yoga. It was through that course that I really began to find courage and strength (both mental and physical). While it was a big expense, it helped me to get to where I am today. I found the courage to move into my first solo apartment at the end of 2017. Moving into a solo apartment helped me to see that I could be on my own.
In January 2018, I turned in my notice at my career of nearly 11 years. I initially gave them a 60-day notice to honor my commitments. I ended up staying for 90 days. I sold my furniture and many of my possessions and turned in the keys to my first solo apartment. I bought a one-way ticket to Australia, and on May 2, I set off on my solo nomadic journey. When I left on my journey, I only had about one months pay, my quarterly bonus, and only $500 in savings. I knew I needed to do something drastic in order for anything to change.
I quickly knew that this is what I always wanted to do–travel the world and experience as many places as I can. I spent the first seven weeks of my journey in Australia and Thailand. I then came back to the states for an event and ended up selling my car, so I could continue my travels through the end of the year. I traveled all over–Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama.
Traveling as a solo female is empowering. I connected with so many people everywhere I went. I was only alone when I chose to be. I did photo shoots in three countries (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina) and wanted to empower other women to do the same. It’s a unique way to give back to local artisans and designers. I hiked in Patagonia just me and my backpack for four days where I covered 55 miles in 4 days; and climbed a mountain on the last day!
I was living my dream and doing what I always wanted to do! I just wasn’t clear on what type of work I wanted to do to sustain it. While in Patagonia, I had the idea come to me of being a travel concierge. Inspire people through my travels to travel and support them with planning their dream trip. I let this idea sit for a bit. When I arrived back in the states in January, the idea was there again, and after much work, Wandering Aunt Travels has officially launched!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It took me 11 years to get to this point, I had to break through many barriers and limiting beliefs that were holding me back from following my heart. I left my inner critic to take over many times and convince me that I was not worthy of living this dream. And I didn’t prepare financially as many people do. So it’s been a learning curve in many ways.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
First and foremost, I am a writer for my blog Wandering Aunt. I write about how travel impacts me, life lessons, and my experience as an Aunt Extraordinaire. I also just launched a new venture called Wandering Aunt Travels!
Wandering Aunt Travels includes a travel concierge service where I help people plan their dream vacations and trips. Travel has impacted me in so many ways, and I hope to inspire others to travel through following my journey.
I will also lead group trips for people who want to travel solo but aren’t quite ready to do so on their own yet. After traveling solo internationally for seven months, I am ready to take people along with me and help them to boost their confidence and learn to be comfortable traveling on their own.
We will stay in a variety of accommodations, take various forms of transportation, have an opportunity to do a photoshoot with a local photographer and stylists, and more. It will be unlike any group travel experience out there.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I loved being the center of attention and being around people. I am the youngest of four and always made sure that I stood out. I loved playing outside and getting dirty–playing in the creek, the mud, climbing trees, etc.
I also loved baking and experimenting in the kitchen. In high school, I was involved in speech, drama, and choir. I loved to travel from a young age and exploring much of the U.S. with my family on cross-country road trips.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3810 Vitruvian Way, Apt. 310 Addison, TX 75001
- Website: https://www.wanderingaunt.com/
- Phone: 9407651558
- Email: finneyra@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderingaunt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinannefinney
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/wanderingaunt
- Other: https://mailchi.mp/7563d28f7d23/soloadventureswithwanderingaunt
Image Credit:
Gabo y Mafe, dolorestestaph, Argentina
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