MY STORY

How Travel Helped Me Discover My Mission and Turn It Into a Career

I believe that one of our greatest callings in life is to recognize our unique talents and find a way to integrate them into work that brings us joy. When we do that work with dedication and integrity, we can contribute, if only in a small way, to a better world.

For me, the journey began in 2006, when I took my first solo trip to Morocco. Three years later, during my first visit to Mexico, descendants of the Maya casually gave me the name Mayita. It stayed with me, resonated deeply, and eventually became the pen name for my written work. Until it naturally evolved into my personal brand. (It also helped that there are currently 68 women in Slovenia with my birth name, making me nearly impossible to Google!)

In 2010, I graduated with a degree in tourism management. Driven by a desire to improve my English, I embarked on a year-and-a-half-long gap year. I spent two summers in North Carolina working as a camp unit leader for a Girl Scouts camp, and later moved to New Zealand to live with the lovely family and work as an au pair.

Along the way, I took on volunteer roles in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, teaching English to help locals access more opportunities in tourism. These small acts, I hoped, could empower others while allowing me to deepen my Spanish skills and connect more meaningfully with the communities I was living in.

Each step of that journey shaped the woman I am today, Curious, open-hearted, and passionate about purposeful work that leaves a trace of goodness behind.

From Mega yachts to Luxury Villas: High-Level Hospitality for Royals, Celebrities & Billionaires

My journey in the yachting industry began in 2012, when I started as a second stewardess on a megayacht owned by a Greek family. That very first season took us to the Monaco Grand Prix, sailing through the Greek islands and hosting charter guests, including Goga Ashkenazi and the Cavalli family.

Later, I specialised in nutrition and superfoods and joined a fleet of five megayachts as a stewardess-nutritionist. My role was to care for the health and well-being of high-profile guests from Hollywood, fashion, and the sports industries.

In 2015, I was promoted to Chief Stewardess and began working within a fleet of twenty yachts belonging to an Arabian royal family. That step truly deepened my expertise in the yachting world. I managed the interior of yachts based in the Seychelles and the Mediterranean and did relief contracts in Doha.

One of the parts I loved most was creating magical family charter holidays. One of the yachts I worked on was even invited to the prestigious Red Sea Week business event in Saudi Arabia, hosted by the global luxury media house Robb Report.

In 2021, I decided to close this chapter of my career. I longed for more stability, space to build a long-term partnership, and the chance to root myself after years on the move.

In 2024, I fulfilled another long-held dream. I moved to Paris to take on a real in real modern castle. That chapter brought new inspiration, valuable skills, and deeper insight into working with the most discerning clients. How to manage not just homes, but also time, energy, space, and budgets with grace and precision.

After Paris, I enjoyed a beautiful season working in luxury rental villa in Greece, followed by a private estate in Saint-Tropez. It was during these experiences that I truly understood the nuances between private and rental luxury homes. Each requiring its own rhythm, energy, and approach.

To date, I’ve had the honour of working with over 500 UHNWI and VVIP clients: royals, celebrities, billionaires. Each encounter has given me rare insight into a world few get to experience from within. Today, I choose to work on selective short-term contracts that allow me to stay close to the industry, keep learning from the inside, and still protect the freedom and balance I value in my personal life.

Sharing Global Experience Through Books, Speaking, Podcasting, and Career Education

Years of living and working abroad brought countless stories and valuable insights. Which eventually needed their place in the sun. In 2015, I published my first book Esenca življenja na poti, based on blog posts that reached over a million views. My second book, S trebuhom za kruhom, collected my working experiences from the U.S., New Zealand, Mexico, and luxury yachting.

Between 2006 and 2016, I gave over 100 public talks in collaboration with schools, libraries, and partner organizations, with up to 300 participants per event. I spoke mostly about work and life abroad, with practical tips on how to start. I also wrote for Slovenian magazines such as Svet in ljudje, Sensa, and Horizont, Potovanja in Stil.

From 2021 to 2024, I hosted the podcast Potovanja in delo v tujini, where I welcomed inspiring guests and collaborated with sponsors who supported the show. It ran successfully for three years and focused on travel, work abroad, and personal growth.

Alongside the podcast, I created several educational e-courses including Yachting, Preparing for Work Abroad, and How to Write a Winning CV, aimed at people starting their international careers.

For over five years, I’ve also been writing CVs and cover letters, more than 300, for clients preparing to work abroad or level up professionally.

Luxury Consulting & Elite Hospitality Academy

In this new chapter of my career, I focus on consulting for luxury tourism brands, boutique villas, and high-end travel agencies that serve UHNWI and VVIP clients. I bring deep, first-hand insight into the mindset and expectations of this clientele. Insight that adds real value to businesses looking to elevate their service and positioning.

This work began in 2024, when I consulted a yachting provision agency on how to reach yacht clients and understand the nuances of provisioning. What really matters to the crew, how orders are placed, and what suppliers often miss.

I’ve also advised a luxury tour operator on how to manage complaints with grace, support team well-being, uphold agreements, and step confidently into the luxury space. Currently, I work with a boutique villa owner in Slovenia who is developing a high-end property, and another client seeking to upgrade her brand to attract a more elite audience.

Alongside consulting, I run the Elite Hospitality Academy, where I guide and educate ambitious individuals (ages 18–30) who want to enter the world of private service. Through e-guides, coaching sessions, and masterclasses, I prepare them for careers in high-level hospitality with confidence and professionalism.

My vision is to grow this business globally. To become a trusted name that helps both people and businesses rise into excellence. Wherever I go, I aim to bring clarity, structure, and standards that help teams, leaders, and guests thrive.