Meet Justyna Della Valle | Founder, Arrive Luxury Travel

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justyna Della Valle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justyna, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I do not believe that work life balance exists, particularly for working moms. Finding balance in running my business, raising young children and taking time for myself is impossible. There will be times when a client is traveling and needs urgent assistance. In those situations, I will always have to walk away from time with my family or time for myself to assist them. As a business owner, there is never a time when I can disconnect completely.

I visited Bhutan recently and learning about the Buddhist principle of impermanence was very profound. Buddhism is steeped in the philosophy that change in life in inevitable. It taught me to be kinder to myself and feel less guilt when I am dedicating more of my time to one part of my life, which is in a constant state of change. Being able to embrace that change has helped me to find the beauty in the challenges of running a business, and not to spend my time hoping for a time when I have balance.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I founded Arrive Luxury Travel to share the transformative power of travel with others. The adventures we craft are unlike any in the industry, because we know the destinations, accommodations, contacts, and routes firsthand. We deliver moments that can’t be found in any guide book, opening doors and granting access to genuine exclusivity.

I speak often of authenticity and I am proud that the destinations I book for my clients are the ones I love most. I joke that I am a terrible salesperson and I find myself talking clients out of a destination or an upgraded room that I do not think is worth the extra expense. When I first started my business, I was anxious about it being successful and at times wondered if I should be more aggressive. I am grateful that I was able to stay true to myself in those tough early times and I am so lucky to have the most inspiring clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Miami and it has been a second home to me since I was far too young to be traveling solo! My ideal itinerary in Miami starts with a stay a The Setai (when traveling with family) or at The 1 Hotel (when traveling with friends). The day starts with a workout at Barry’s Bootcamp and a Simply PB shake to-go. I love to spend a lazy afternoon at the pool, followed by a bit of shopping at the Design District. My go to dinner spots must include dancing on the table after, with my current favorite being HaSalon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so lucky to have had incredible mentors throughout the years. I often think back to one of my first, Ann O’Neill, who taught me invaluable lessons on how to be an effective leader. I will never forget a time when she was complimented on a successful conference by an attendee and she responded that the credit was due to me and she was there only as my assistant. I have been put in similar situations in the years that followed and I have always done the same with my team.

My business would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for the support of friends like the powerhouse founder of Janet Mandell Showroom. Janet build her high-fashion clothing and accessory rental business while going out of her way to support other women in business.

And last but not least, the incredibly talented artist and entrepreneur, Elizabeth Sutton, continues to inspire me to hustle harder.

Website: arrivetravel.com

Instagram: @travel_arrive