14/06/2025
Buon 3️⃣ anniversario! I’m working today, as it’s high season, in which more than half of our trips for the year depart in a very short time period. But I always take the time on this day each year to reflect, overwhelmed with gratitude.
June 14th, 2022, I took a big gulp of wine and filed to make my silly little idea an official, bonafide business, which I thought would grow slowly over time, if at all (Imposter Syndrome is real). We’re told it takes 3️⃣ years to make FT income in a small business.
I was fine with that. It was passion for Italy that fueled me, not the money. But the unique way we plan authentic, culturally immersed Italian adventures, designed specifially for our clients’ needs and interests, resonated with people immediately.
Our first departure was six week later on August 1st, and now, 3️⃣ years later, we are celebrating - - -
9️⃣2️⃣ trips planned have departed. This number will quickly rise over the next few weeks, including our 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th trip departing July 1st.
That’s 4️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ people to date.
Instead of 3️⃣ years for FT income, it’s been that long trying to regain a work-life balance.
So for year 4️⃣… we will not take more clients for 2026 than we did for 2025.
Instead, year 4️⃣ will be about investing time into new systems to make the client experience even better.
We’re also excited to report that we will also open up the regions of Sardenia and Puglia to our offering, as well as Metera, Ischia, the wine area Langhe in the Piedmont region (home of Barbaresco and Barolo) and some close and wonderful lake alternatives to George Cloney Lake with lakes Orta and Maggiore.
And although we have yet to ever advertise, and instead rely solely on word-of-mouth and referrals, we plan to finally launch our website in year 4️⃣. More as a client hub than a marketing vehicle. Social is still where we prefer to share the real-life experiences of our clients.
Year 4️⃣ will also include 3 more trips to Italy to uncover more and more for our clients to explore, experience and enjoy, especially after we saw almost 20% of our clients for 2025 be returning clients! WOW!🤯
Lastly, I always like to thank client #1️⃣ for believing in me, and being the complete impetus for my taking the leap to start IAYI 3️⃣ years ago today…thank you Darling family, as well as the nearing 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ clients who have trusted us since.
Year 4️⃣ isn’t about more; as always, it’s about getting better.
