Office Hours

30 Days Post-Exit: 3 Things I Wish I Did Differently

In this episode, I get brutally honest about the three fundamental mistakes I made while building Lucia over three years. Mistakes I only realized after working at Tern following my exit. From being terrified to build community (despite running a network-based business) to treating AI like a fancy typewriter, I unpack the costly lessons that could have saved me years of struggle. I share how Tern's Facebook group generated 3,000 webinar signups in one week. Something that would have taken me weeks to pull off at my previous company. I reveal why wearing "all the hats" as a founder was actually expensive procrastination, how AI identified conversion issues in 30 seconds that took weeks to find previously, and why marketing should never be the thing that waits in your business. Key moments include: * Why I was scared to build community at a network-based company * How a Facebook group outperformed months of my traditional marketing * The exact psychological friction point AI identified on our landing page * Why "doing everything" became a badge of honor that held me back * The intoxicating focus that comes from going deep instead of wide My challenge: Pick one of these three areas (community, AI, or deep focus) and implement it this week. Then email me what happened. I'm betting you'll have your own "holy $$$$" moment. Perfect for founders who want to learn from expensive mistakes before making them themselves. Connect with me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gracevanholl/] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevanholl/] for more real-time insights from my journey at a Series A startup. Follow Along: * Grace Van Hollebeke [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevanholl/] * Tern's updates and community insights [https://www.tern.travel/flightpath]

Want Press? Travel Weekly’s Jamie Biesiada Tells You How to Get It

In this episode, Grace sits down with Travel Weekly senior editor Jamie Biesiada to talk about what actually gets a travel business covered in the press. If you've ever wondered why your pitch didn’t land (or what editors are really looking for) this conversation breaks it down. Jamie shares how the retail travel press works, what makes a story newsworthy, and how travel advisors and business owners can pitch with purpose. They cover the dos and don’ts of media outreach, the difference between trade and consumer coverage, and why a little research goes a long way. Whether you're trying to get featured, launch a podcast, or just build better media relationships, this episode will help you sharpen your approach and get results. Key Moments: * What the retail travel press actually covers * How to tailor a pitch for trade media * The role of networking in getting noticed * How podcasts can boost visibility Jamie’s advice for sharing your story without sounding salesy * Listen to Jamie's Trade Secrets Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trade-secrets-podcast/id1555272051] Connect with Grace on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gracevanholl/] or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevanholl/] for more content.

Lucia is Acquired by Tern: The Behind-the-Scenes Story

In this episode of Office Hours, Grace Van Hollebeke welcomes David Shull, CEO and co-founder of Tern, for a candid conversation about his journey from Michigan Tech to building a transformative travel technology platform. David shares how his early days at Handshake inspired his passion for creating impactful technology, and how a travel mishap in Greece sparked the idea for Tern. Grace and David discuss Tern’s recent acquisition of Lucia (Grace's company) and why pairing great technology with high-quality services is essential for empowering travel advisors. They also unpack the importance of choosing the right VC partners who share a vision for supporting, rather than displacing, travel advisors, which is a refreshing stance in the world of venture capital. Key moments include: * David’s journey from Handshake to Tern * The turning point that led to Lucia’s acquisition * The role of technology and services in scaling travel advisors’ businesses * How Tern’s platform is designed to eliminate invisible work * Why their VC partners are committed to building with, not against, travel advisors If you’re a travel advisor or agency owner looking to supercharge your business, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and human-driven industries, this episode is a must-listen. Connect with Grace on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/gracevanholl] or ⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevanholl/] for more. Follow Along: * David Shull [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsshull/] * Tern’s Flight Path podcast [https://www.tern.travel/flightpath]

How $1M+ Travel Advisors Use SOPs to Scale and Simplify Their Business

If you're a travel advisor running a $1M+ business or building toward it, this episode is a tactical guide to using SOPs to scale your operations without losing your personal touch. Grace shares the real processes top-performing advisors use to run their businesses more efficiently. From qualifying high-value leads to pre-trip QA and post-trip rebooking, you’ll hear practical examples, tools, and frameworks that help you delegate with confidence and create a more repeatable, profitable business. In This Episode: * What SOPs (standard operating procedures) actually look like for travel advisors * Four essential processes to document now * Tools that support automation while keeping things personal * Why documentation helps you scale, even as a solo advisor * How weekly metrics reviews put you in control of your growth This episode is for any advisor who wants to grow strategically and stop reinventing the wheel. 📩 Have a question for Grace to answer on the pod? Email mcbride1591@gmail.com

Designing Luxury Travel for the Next Generation: Insights from Skylark’s CEO

In this Office Hours episode, Grace sits down with Mike Greene, CEO of Skylark, to talk about how technology, spontaneity, and personalization are reshaping the future of luxury travel. After years of working with top innovators and luxury travelers, Mike saw a gap in the market: travelers wanted high-end experiences—but booked at the pace of their fast-moving lives. He shares how Skylark is meeting that demand, why modern luxury is about flexibility, and how his team is blending human expertise with smart tech to deliver unforgettable trips. Grace and Mike dive into what today’s luxury traveler really wants, why personalization beats perfection, and how Skylark built a platform that serves discerning clients without losing the human touch. If you’ve ever wondered how luxury brands stay ahead in a world that moves faster than ever, this episode is a must-listen. Key Moments: * Why spontaneity is the new luxury for travelers * Growing a tech platform without losing the personal service edge * What separates the next-gen traveler from traditional luxury clients * Why speed and flexibility matter more than ever * The overlooked role of relationships in the digital booking experience * Predictions for how luxury travel will evolve over the next five years Key Takeaways: * Modern luxury travelers want speed and service * Personalization can’t be fully automated—it still needs a human touch * The best platforms make the complex feel effortless for the client * Travel brands must balance technology with deep relationships * Being nimble is crucial to staying competitive in the luxury space Follow Along: * Grace Van Hollebeke [https://www.instagram.com/gracevanholl/] * Mike Greene [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-greene1/] * Skylark [https://skylark.com/] Need help bringing more personalization to your business? Lucia CoPilots can support you behind the scenes. DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) for personalized recommendations.