Founder Story
Rediscovering Balance: Livia’s Journey from the Luxury Industry to Founding Balance Holidays
Livia’s journey began in Paris and Rome, where she immersed herself in the luxury industry in New York and London, gaining valuable experience in international markets and customer service. This background paved the way for her entrepreneurial journey, which was shaped by a passion for wellness retreats shared with her mother.
Livia’s personal experience with retreats as a tool for introspection and personal growth led her to establish Balance Holidays in 2019. She saw a gap in the market for retreats that combined service excellence, specialized knowledge, and individualized care. Honesty, trust, and accountability have become the guiding principles for her business.
Like many small businesses, COVID-19 posed a significant challenge for Balance Holidays. Livia and her team faced the crisis head-on and pivoted their business model, introducing on-demand retreat curation services. They relied on community and word-of-mouth referrals for marketing, as they found it to be more effective than paid advertising and social media campaigns.
Livia doesn’t believe in following trends in her industry; instead, she focuses on helping clients rediscover their inner beauty and maintain long-term wellbeing. As an entrepreneur, Livia relies on her notebook and a trusty pen to manage her time and prioritize tasks. Communication is key in building and maintaining a strong team, especially since they operate remotely.
Partnerships have played a crucial role in the growth of Balance Holidays, with retreats facilitated by world-class experts and held in undiscovered boutique hotels, resorts, and landmark properties. Livia ensures strong relationships with partners by enriching and uplifting their businesses and fostering long-term trust.
As the wellbeing and retreat industry becomes more saturated, Livia believes maintaining a product market fit and refining their offering to clients’ preferences will be essential for Balance Holidays’ success. Personal values, such as self-discovery and self-mastery, inform Livia’s approach to wellbeing and her business philosophy.
While Balance Holidays is not solely focused on women’s wellbeing, it aims to make retreats accessible to everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, or personal beliefs.
Some fun facts about Livia:
- Livia’s favorite travel destination is Italy
- Her favorite self-care activity is taking care of her skin
- She enjoys experimenting with different exercises and exploring farm-to-table restaurants in her free time
- Surprisingly, Livia has never been to a concert due to her claustrophobia
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