We were lucky to catch up with Kirsten Tucker ,CNMT recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kirsten, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
The roots of my resilience run deep and are woven with a journey that started long before I even realized it. In college, I witnessed my parents face one of their hardest seasons, nearly losing everything. My mom lost her job while I was in high school, and then, while I was in college, my dad lost his. Suddenly, I was putting myself through school, paying for my own apartment, and balancing the pressures of a pre-med workload with two jobs. I’d dreamed of becoming a doctor, but those dreams came with a hefty price, financially and emotionally. Through it all, I had to remain resilient, leaning on the example my parents had set. I saw how, despite circumstances that could have shattered them, they kept going. Even when they couldn’t help financially, they showed up for me with unwavering love, support, and prayer.
There were moments I’ll never forget—like when I couldn’t afford my textbooks. My dad gathered up every single one of my old piggy banks and cashed them in, just to send me the money. My mom, five hours away, never missed a beat; she remembered every test I had and would call or text me with a prayer, since I struggled with test anxiety then. That grounding presence helped me push through college, making me independent and showing me that no setback could destroy me; it would only strengthen me. Those experiences left me determined to create generational wealth—not just for myself but for those I love.
After graduation, I went into healthcare as a nuclear medicine technologist, saving for medical school. But I soon realized that starting my own business could be a way to overcome the same intense stresses I’d faced in college. I’ve always loved travel, and God placed the vision of ItinAFairy in my heart. Yet even with that calling, the journey was difficult. In 2019, when I first started developing ItinAFairy, I lost $25,000 to a fraudulent developer. The following year, the pandemic hit, and as a healthcare worker, I focused on my role in the hospital.
In 2021, for my 29th birthday, as the world was beginning to open again, I planned to announce ItinAFairy and celebrate with a girls’ trip to Tulum. But instead, I was at my mother’s funeral; she had passed away from COVID. Losing my mom, my best friend who had even helped me name the company, was the most devastating thing I’d ever experienced. In that season, I wanted to quit everything—my faith, my business, even the thought of returning to school. Then I came across an old message from my mom that said, *“Kirsten, you will have trials and tribulations, and when you do, lean on your faith.”*
As the year passed, I traveled and began to feel life calling me back to ItinAFairy, so we launched in 2022 near my 30th birthday. Watching my parents navigate their struggles laid the foundation of resilience in me, but my own journey through loss, faith, and purpose brought that resilience to life. Now, I stand stronger, knowing that each challenge was a part of the path God set for me to fulfill this vision and help others find joy and peace through travel, just as He intended.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m thrilled to share my journey and the mission behind ItinAFairy. My professional path began in healthcare, specifically in Nuclear Medicine Technology and Public Health. However, after feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the medical field, I pivoted to the travel industry. This transition was driven by my passion for travel and my desire to help others find joy and relaxation through personalized travel experiences.
At ItinAFairy, we focus on creating stress-free and inclusive travel itineraries through technology that cater to individual preferences and interests. Our platform connects users with local activities, enabling them to discover unique experiences that align with their personalities. What excites me most about ItinAFairy is our commitment to supporting small businesses. We provide a platform for local businesses to showcase their offerings, helping them compete in a landscape dominated by larger corporations. This approach not only enriches the travel experience but also fosters community connections.
Through ItinAFairy, I aim to encourage people to embrace their true selves and connect with others in meaningful ways. I’m grateful for the support from my dad, my brother, family, friends, staff and mentors, who have all been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Together, we’re building a brand that prioritizes joy, community, and memorable experiences, allowing everyone to enjoy life more fully amidst the stressors we can’t always control. Creating memories is essential because, if you truly think about it, the moments you share with those you care about are all you’ll have one day. Embrace every opportunity to connect and experience joy together, as these memories become the foundation of a meaningful life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Focus on What You Can Control: I’ve learned that staying calm and focusing on what I can control makes all the difference. Challenges will come, but diving right into solutions instead of stressing over what’s out of reach has been key to keeping myself grounded and finding a path forward. For new entrepreneurs, my advice is to approach every obstacle as an opportunity to learn. Even the toughest moments have valuable lessons if you’re open to them, and they’ll strengthen you over time.
Stay Rooted in Your Purpose and Self-Belief: Knowing my purpose and truly believing in my vision have been guiding forces through every high and low. My mom taught me early on to trust myself and aim high, and that self-belief has been invaluable as I’ve built ItinAFairy. There will always be people—even close friends and family—who might say, “it can’t be done,” but if you know why you’re doing this and hold onto that purpose, it will keep you moving forward regardless. For those just starting out, remember that your purpose is the foundation; it will let others eventually see the value in what you’re creating.
Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: Being an entrepreneur brings its fair share of challenges. As the eldest daughter, I know my younger brother—my best friend and biggest cheerleader—is watching. If I gave up just because something felt uncomfortable, how could I encourage him or anyone else to keep going? I’ve learned to embrace the discomfort of pitching my business, sharing my mistakes, and growing a tech company as a non-technical founder.
My advice to anyone on a similar path is to keep pushing forward, even when it’s hard. Allow yourself to fail forward and pivot when needed, but don’t ever give up on your dreams. Most of all, stay grounded in your purpose and your faith. Enjoy the journey toward your goals, not just the destination, and sooner than you think, you will arrive exactly where you’re supposed to be.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
At ItinAFairy, we believe in the transformative power of collaboration to create unforgettable experiences. If you’re a small business in one of the 24 cities featured on our web app, we want to connect with you! Whether you own a charming restaurant, offer unique experiences like candle-making, or provide any other delightful local offerings, your business deserves to be showcased to travelers seeking authentic experiences.Please visit our website at www.ItinAFairy.com or follow us on Instagram to join our partnership waitlist. We’re eager to partner with passionate individuals and community organizations that share our mission of enhancing joy and connection through travel. Together, we can co-create initiatives that empower our communities and inspire travelers to discover the best your city has to offer.I invite everyone to join us on this exciting adventure—because finding things to do that you love should be convenient and joyful, not stressful! For those eager to explore unique activities in your city or beyond, connect with us on social media or visit www.ItinAFairy.com to learn more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.itinafairy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itinafairy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-tucker-403789299
