They say travel is the only thing you buy that makes you more prosperous, and these three Black women can certainly attest to that. While some often feel boxed into the confines of societal norms, these audacious women broke free, leaving their conventional corporate life behind to embark on a life-altering journey around the globe.
Jakiya Brown Thiaw, Jenn Earley, and Ciara Johnson dared to challenge the status quo. Each had a eureka moment when they realized the life they were leading was not what they desired. The monotony of their corporate jobs, the pressure of maintaining a glamorized lifestyle, and the deprivation of personal freedom led them to question their paths. They yearned for more than just a 9-to-5 grind; they craved adventure, exploration, and a life lived on their terms.
Jakiya Brown Thiaw – Founder of The Travelingfro Brands
Jakiya Brown Thiaw, a brand strategist, chief marketing officer, and founder of The Travelingfro, has extensive credentials. The North Carolina native took a risk by quitting her well-paying corporate position to pursue her goal of seeing the world. Brown Thiaw had spent half a decade in the corporate arena, handling marketing campaigns for beauty industry heavyweights such as L’Oreal and COTY Inc. She excelled in the fast-paced and beautiful atmosphere, but the strenuous lifestyle eventually took its toll on her.
At 27, Brown Thiaw found herself dealing with burnout. Despite the financial rewards that came with her job, she felt increasingly uninspired and lacking motivation. Her dream of exploring the world started to call her, and in 2016, she decided to leave her job and follow that calling. In less than three years, she managed to pivot her life completely. Jakiya Brown Thiaw became a successful entrepreneur and was featured in notable publications like Oprah Magazine, Refinery29, HuffPost, and more.
Jenn Earley – Founder and CEO of Cultured Vacations
Ultimately, following one’s passion can lead to success, as Jenn Earley’s story demonstrates. Earley turned her love for travel into a profitable business by starting Cultured Vacations, a travel firm that provides curated vacation experiences. Her path to entrepreneurship is as inspiring as it is unique. Before founding Cultured Vacations, Earley made a six-figure income in corporate America.
After launching Cultured Vacations on the side, Jenn left her corporate job and operated it full-time in 2018. This decision was motivated not just by her drive for travel but also by her attention to detail and desire to help others. Jenn’s extensive travel experiences, both for work and pleasure, domestically and abroad, provided her with the expertise and skills to design bespoke cultural vacations for her customers. Today, Cultured Vacations designs unique itineraries for each client, listens to your vacation wishes, and makes them come true.
Ciara Johnson – The Solo Travel Digital Creator
With a spirit too wild for the confines of a cubicle, Ciara Johnson took the leap of faith that many dream of but few dare to make. Leaving her career behind, she embarked on a global adventure, seeing stunning sights at each stop. Following her on Instagram, you’ll enter a world of adventure, freedom, and self-discovery. Through her lens, followers are treated to various cultures, landscapes, and stories from over 60 countries.
Study abroad experiences in South Africa, India, and Panama shaped Johnson’s worldview and inspired her to travel the world. She was fortunate to get her first 9-to-5 position in human resources with a Fortune 500 business right after graduation. The reality of her situation became clear to her, though, quite fast. A true explorer, Johnson longed for a change of scenery, to see the world, and to experience different cultures firsthand. She worked hard for two years, saving every cent before quitting. She now gets paid to help her 130,000 dedicated followers improve their travels.
