Empowering Women in Tourism: Insights from the International Women’s Day Podcast Special

The tourism industry is full of inspiring entrepreneurs who have built businesses that connect people to places in unforgettable ways. But what does it take to succeed as a woman in tourism?

In a special International Women’s Day episode of Growth Powered by FareHarbor, host Rebekah Costley sat down with five incredible female entrepreneurs to explore their journeys—how they built and scaled their businesses, overcame challenges, and navigated the evolving landscape of the tourism industry.

From food tours in Puerto Rico to dog sledding in Canada, these women have one thing in common: a relentless passion for what they do and a willingness to adapt, innovate, and lead.

Meet the Women Leading the Way in Tourism

Paulina Salach | Spoon Experience (Puerto Rico)

For Paulina, food is more than just a meal—it’s a gateway to culture, history, and community. As the co-founder of Spoon Experience, Paulina has built a thriving business that showcases Puerto Rico’s culinary scene through food tours, cooking classes, and special events.

Paulina’s Take on Business Growth Relying on Hiring Right:

“When we started Spoon, there was no business plan. We just jumped in and did it. Spoon has evolved into this beautiful company, and we have amazing tour guides that live and breathe Puerto Rico. They are storytellers. It’s so much more than just giving tours—we create experiences and lasting memories for all our clients”

Kaija Pack | Break Life (Houston, TX)

Kaija took an entirely different approach to tourism and experiences by launching Break Life, an alternative therapy business that provides a safe space for emotional release through rage rooms and structured wellness sessions.

Kaija’s Biggest Lesson:

“I was denied 85 times when looking for a building for Break Life. But I kept going because I knew this was needed. If you say no to me, I just smile and keep moving because I know I’m going to win in the end. You have to believe in your dream before anyone else does.”

Margit & Amy | Walk and Eat Spain (Madrid, Spain)

Madrid’s food scene is world-renowned, but Margit and Amy wanted to go deeper—connecting visitors not just to great food, but to the people behind it. They launched Walk and Eat Spain, which brings travelers to local, family-run spots that they’d never find on their own.

Amy on Making a Business Work:

“We started Walk and Eat Spain in early 2021, thinking we were finally past the pandemic. Then Omicron hit, and all our bookings disappeared. But we believed in what we were doing. We just kept going, and now we have a business that we love, built around the way we believe in travel”

Tanya McCready | Winterdance Dogsled Tours (Ontario, Canada)

From one Siberian husky to 125 dogs, Tanya built Winterdance Dogsled Tours, an adventure tourism business that attracts visitors from around the world. Through passion and persistence, she turned a dream into a sustainable and thriving business.

Tanya’s Perspective on Work-Life Balance:

“For years, I struggled with the idea of ‘having it all.’ Then I realized I had to throw the word ‘balance’ out the window. Instead, I focus on being fully present in whatever I’m doing—whether it’s my business, my family, or my dogs.”

Kate Forrester | Gold Coast Watersports (Australia)

Kate didn’t start Gold Coast Watersports from scratch—she took over an existing business and made it her own. By integrating technology, streamlining operations, and focusing on customer experience, she’s successfully growing the business in a competitive market.

Kate’s Biggest Learning Curve:

“We jumped into this blind. No tourism experience, no understanding of the rules or equipment. But we figured it out. And in some ways, coming in fresh gave us a better perspective on what needed to change.”

Lessons from Women in Tourism

Through their unique experiences, these women had a lot to share about what it takes to succeed in the tourism industry. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the conversation:

✅ Resilience is key – Each guest faced setbacks, from seasonality challenges to business rejections, but persistence kept them moving forward.

✅ Building relationships matters – Whether it’s working with local businesses, employees, or guests, strong partnerships are critical to success.

✅ Innovation is non-negotiable – These women didn’t just follow industry trends—they adapted, took risks, and created new ways to offer experiences.

✅ Define success on your own terms – Whether it’s making an impact, achieving financial stability, or simply doing what you love, success looks different for everyone.

What’s Next for These Entrepreneurs?

Each of these trailblazing women is looking toward the future with big plans:

🌍 Spoon Experience is expanding its culinary event offerings in Puerto Rico.
🚀 Break Life is launching a second location in Detroit.
🍷 Walk and Eat Spain is adding winery and olive oil farm tours to its lineup.
🐶 Winterdance Dogsled Tours is in talks for a documentary.
🌊 Gold Coast Watersports is evolving its tour offerings to fit new customer trends.

Their stories show that tourism isn’t just about selling experiences—it’s about passion, adaptability, and finding new ways to grow.

Want to hear the full conversation? Listen to the full episode now.

https://open.spotify.com/show/5yvnY25sRv7hRlsvZGIkZk
Watch Now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ANOiaguLFkA