Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakisha Young.
Hi Lakisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into travel began on the front lines of the industry. I started my career working as a sales representative for Carnival Cruise Line under an independent customer service agency I owned. Very early on, I realized my strength wasn’t just booking trips — it was selling the *experience*. I consistently closed clients, upgraded itineraries, and customized vacations in ways that made people feel excited, seen, and taken care of.
That realization pushed me to become a travel advisor full-time. I ultimately had to make the difficult decision to step away from my role with Carnival, as I couldn’t do both. I invested heavily in professional training, earning certifications as a destination wedding specialist and romance travel specialist, and that’s when everything clicked. I fell in love with the romance sector of travel — honeymoons, anniversaries, proposals, and meaningful getaways designed around connection and emotion.
As my career evolved, my background in art and décor naturally merged with travel. I began creating elevated staycations in Miami, offering romantic turndown services, private dinners, and immersive experiences inspired by the Caribbean islands I was booking for my clients. At the time, this concept barely existed in the U.S. There were very few companies doing anything similar — one in New York and one in California — and no real blueprint to follow.
After the passing of my mother, I made the decision to move my company’s headquarters to Jacksonville. That move became a pivotal moment. I quickly noticed a common misconception that there “wasn’t anything to do” in the city. What I realized instead was that people simply didn’t know *what* to do or *how* to experience Jacksonville differently.
I began curating and showcasing local experiences through a travel and hospitality lens — highlighting beaches, waterfront spaces, and hidden gems — and designing experiences that felt elevated, intentional, and immersive. What started as something for locals quickly gained traction. Visitors began traveling to Jacksonville specifically to experience the custom offerings we created.
We became the first company in the city to offer fully customized romantic experiences and Caribbean-style beach dinners, bringing the essence of island getaways to Jacksonville’s shoreline. From candlelit beachfront dining and outdoor massages to curated coastal experiences, we essentially brought the Caribbean to our beaches — creating moments that felt like a vacation without leaving the city.
As the brand continued to evolve, clients began asking us to handle more than just the trip itself. Celebrations naturally became part of the journey. Weddings, proposals, milestone birthdays, and anniversaries often *begin* with travel, and clients wanted one team to design the entire experience from arrival to celebration. Today, we offer full-service planning for destination weddings, luxury yacht charters, and private yacht celebrations, handling everything from travel logistics and accommodations to event design, guest experiences, and on-site coordination. Whether it’s an intimate wedding abroad or a curated yacht celebration, our approach remains thoughtful, custom, and experience-driven.
When COVID hit, the industry shifted, and experience-based travel became easier for clients to understand and embrace. At the same time, social media played a major role in educating the market and helping people visualize what was possible.
Today, my work sits at the intersection of luxury travel and curated experiences. I don’t just plan trips — I design journeys that feel personal, intentional, and unforgettable. Everything we do is custom, rooted in how people want to feel, and built around creating moments that stay with them long after the journey ends.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. My journey has been anything but smooth.
I’ve experienced divorce, homelessness, relocating to a new state with no support system, and starting over more than once. Just as my career began to gain momentum — including producing high-profile and celebrity events — my personal life was being tested in ways I never expected. During that time, my mother became seriously ill. Even in the midst of that, she remained my biggest supporter and cheerleader. One of the moments I treasure most is that she was able to connect with and speak to some of our favorite artists, including T.I. and Big Freedia. Those moments meant everything to her — and to me.
After my mother passed away, I made the decision to return to Florida. Instead of moving back to Miami, our hometown, I chose Jacksonville — the city where she had purchased her home after retiring early. That move was deeply personal, but professionally, it was challenging. Jacksonville has been my toughest market to date. Building something new in a city that didn’t yet understand or value the type of experiences I was creating required resilience, patience, and a lot of belief in my vision.
There were moments when it felt easier to quit or pivot into something safer, but I stayed committed. Every challenge shaped how I lead today — with empathy, intention, and a deep understanding that success isn’t linear. The struggles didn’t break me; they refined me and ultimately strengthened the foundation of the company I’m building now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At its core, my work is about designing intentional travel experiences that feel personal, elevated, and emotionally meaningful. I specialize in luxury travel planning and experience curation for couples, groups, and clients celebrating major life moments. While many advisors focus on logistics alone, I focus on how people want to *feel* during and after the journey — whether that’s connection, celebration, rest, or joy.
What we’re most known for is our ability to blend travel with full-service celebration planning. We design destination weddings, luxury yacht charters and yacht parties, milestone celebrations, and immersive staycations that feel like true getaways. From curated itineraries and accommodations to on-site event design, guest experiences, and coordination, our clients trust us to handle every detail so they can be fully present.
One of the things that truly sets us apart is that we experience what we sell. We travel firsthand, build direct relationships with hotels, yacht companies, and destination partners, and test experiences before offering them to clients. That allows us to customize journeys in a way that feels authentic, not templated. Every itinerary and celebration is designed around the individual — no two experiences are ever the same.
I’m especially proud of building something that didn’t exist when I started. We were among the first to bring Caribbean-inspired luxury experiences to U.S. destinations like Jacksonville, Miami, Macon and Atlanta — from custom beach dinners and outdoor massages to curated romantic moments that now attract both locals and visitors. Creating a business that educates a market while elevating how people experience their own city has been incredibly rewarding.
What ultimately sets my work apart is intention. We don’t just plan trips or events — we design moments that become memories. Everything we do is rooted in storytelling, hospitality, and connection, and that’s why clients come to us for more than one trip or celebration. We’re not just part of a vacation; we become part of their journey.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is resilience paired with vision. I’ve learned how to hold a long-term vision even when the season I’m in feels uncertain or challenging. There were many moments where the path wasn’t clear, but I never lost sight of *why* I started or what I was building.
Resilience allowed me to adapt, pivot, and keep going through personal loss, career transitions, and entering markets that weren’t immediately receptive to what I was creating. Vision kept me focused on the bigger picture — building something meaningful, not just something profitable.
That combination has shaped how I lead, how I serve clients, and how I grow the business. It’s what allows me to stay innovative, intentional, and committed to creating experiences that truly matter, even when the road isn’t easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pazazromance.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pazazromance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pazazromance
