Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxana Duran.
Roxana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really begins in 2024, during a time when I was already thinking about stepping away from my corporate job. I had a lot going on family matters, my health, and honestly, I knew I needed time to focus on myself. After going through an amputation in 2023, I found myself in a pretty dark place mentally. Even then, I was still working nearly nine-hour days and coming home to be the best mom I could be with the little time I had left. There just wasn’t any space for me to heal or grow.
In August of 2024, a friend of mine who is also an amputee reached out and asked if I knew anyone interested in joining his company and stepping into entrepreneurship with a flexible schedule. At the time, I didn’t act on it right away, but that conversation stayed with me.
By December, as more responsibilities came up with my parents, I realized I truly needed that flexibility. I reached back out, joined his marketing team, and everything started to shift from there.
On January 15, 2025, I made the decision to leave my corporate job. Just a couple of weeks later, on January 28, I launched my own travel agency. That step was very personal for me. I’ve always loved serving and educating others, but now I get to help people create their happy place to bring their dream vacations to life.
I may not move as quickly physically as I used to, but behind a computer, nothing has changed. If anything, I feel more driven than ever.
Today, I balance both businesses while being a mom to my six-year-old who keeps me busy with soccer and continuing my journey as an above-knee amputee, working on my physical strength and mobility every day. Life is definitely busier now, but it’s different in the best way. Everything I do has purpose whether it’s in my work, with my son, or in helping others see that their circumstances don’t have to define their limits.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? Definitely not.
I still remember telling people I was leaving corporate America to start my own businesses and create a better schedule for myself. A lot of the responses were, “Congratulations BUT do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” At the time, I didn’t fully understand the highs and lows ahead wondering where the next sale would come from or feeling like there simply weren’t enough hours in the day.
One of the toughest seasons came between May and August of 2025, when the economy shifted. I was out networking, building connections, having great conversations people seemed interested, asked for quotes but when it came time to commit, no one was biting. That was hard. It brought up a lot of doubt.
But I was reminded to keep going to stay focused, keep my head down, and not give up on myself or my vision.
At home, we felt that pressure too. There were financial challenges, and I even applied for part-time corporate roles to help supplement income. But nothing came through. At times, it felt like doors were closing some even because of my disability. Instead of letting that stop me, I chose to see it as redirection.
A reminder that I didn’t come this far to go back.
So I kept pushing. I stayed consistent. And by the end of my first year as an entrepreneur, I was able to close it out on a solid note with the mindset that I’m only getting stronger and more focused moving into 2026.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Anyone who knows me knows I’m deeply rooted in family and faith and that’s reflected in my business. The name itself is built from my family’s initials, tied into the idea of creating both luxury and adventure through travel.
I’ve been a travel advisor for 15 years, helping clients plan everything from international and domestic trips to cruises both ocean and river; escorted tours, and even fully customized “on-your-own” travel. Whether someone needs a full itinerary or just flights, activities, or travel insurance, I’m there to support every piece of the journey.
What really pushed me into travel was a personal experience. I went on a group trip to Brazil in a month of July, not realizing it was their rainy season. We spent nearly two weeks in constant downpour. That experience stuck with me and it became my “why.” I never want someone else to go through that kind of disappointment when they’ve invested in a meaningful trip.
Now, I’m known for my attention to detail and the level of care I give my clients. I don’t just book trips I stay connected, I check in, and if anything comes up while they’re traveling, I’m there. It’s about the full experience, not just the transaction.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible travel partners like Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Viking, Viator, and Insight Vacations, which align with the level of quality I want to provide.
At the same time, I’m also part of a marketing team that shares my values. We always say, “I’m a helper, not a seller,” and that truly defines how I approach both businesses. It’s about building trust, serving people well, and treating others the way I would want to be treated.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’m a big believer in community and support systems “ it takes a village.” No one does this alone.
First and foremost, my mom. She’s been one of my biggest inspirations. Me living with a health challenge since the age of five, and her always teaching me, “This isn’t going to limit you find a way around it and live your best life.” That mindset has shaped everything I do, especially in business.
I also have to credit my teammate Jay and his wife Stephanie. They saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. They believed in my purpose, supported my ambition, and reminded me especially in the moments I wanted to give up that I was on the right path. Sometimes you just need people in your corner saying, “You’ve got this. Keep going.”
And then there’s my chiropractor and physical therapist, Kyle Thompson. He’s played a huge role in my journey not just physically, helping me gain confidence using my prosthetic and walking without crutches but mentally as well. He helped me break through barriers I didn’t even realize I had, especially the fear that came after my amputation.
Because of that, I’ve been able to show up more confidently not just in my personal life, but in my business, in networking spaces, and in rooms that once felt overwhelming.
I didn’t just rebuild my life after loss—I rebuilt it with purpose, for my son, my future, and the life I knew I deserved.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://x8webdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raesservice?igsh=MXczMzBxdDFiaXNp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resplendentadventureescapes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxana-g-duran-0a3230171
Image Credits
X8 Marketing for Logo
