This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Laney Sachs, founder of Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures and GTN Top Producer. What began as a side hustle importing olive oil from Italy turned into a thriving travel business rooted in Laney’s deep love for Italy, her eye for detail, and her commitment to doing things right.

In this episode, she shares how her early group trips grew organically from a blog and Facebook posts, why working with DMCs transformed her business (and her sanity), and how she intentionally built a team to support both growth and balance. From finding the right clients to monetizing group travel from the very beginning, Laney’s approach is a masterclass in staying grounded while scaling smart.

They also explore:

• Why working with DMCs is a non-negotiable in luxury travel
• What made Laney a natural fit for “come with me” group strategies
• The confidence it takes to sell destinations you haven’t visited
• How she built a referral-based business from scratch
• Her hiring journey—and how she found the right team members
• The real mindset shift behind sustainable success

Whether you’re just starting out or preparing to scale, Laney’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no one right way to build a fulfilling travel business—just the way that’s right for you.

🔗Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures: https://ortensiablutraveladventures.com/