Meet the Founder

My love for travel started when I was 13 years old and took my first international trip to Europe. Since then, I've had the opportunity to explore 20 countries and 35 U.S. states, study abroad in Australia, and build a career in international education.

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And I've done much of that while working a full-time job.

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One thing I've learned over the years is that you don't have to quit your job, take a month off, or put your life on hold to see the world. Through strategic planning, maximizing my PTO, and making the most of long weekends and holidays, I've found ways to prioritize travel while balancing the responsibilities of everyday life.

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I believe everyone deserves to turn on their away message every once in a while.

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How The Away Message Began

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Somewhere along the way, I realized that I loved planning trips almost as much as taking them.

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I'm the person who researches restaurants weeks (sometimes even months) before a trip, maps out the best way to explore a new city, and creates detailed itineraries to make sure I don't miss out on experiences worth having. Naturally, I became the go-to travel planner for my friends and family.

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And that's how The Away Message came to life.

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I created this business because I believe travel should be exciting, not overwhelming. I also know firsthand how valuable vacation time is, especially when you only have a limited number of days to work with. Whether you have three days or two weeks, I believe thoughtful planning can help you make the most of every moment without feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.

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My approach is simple: Every trip should reflect the person taking it. Some travelers want a carefully organized, hour-by-hour itinerary, while others prefer a collection of thoughtful recommendations with room for spontaneity. There's no one-size-fits-all way to explore the world.

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Through The Away Message, I combine my firsthand travel experiences, research skills, and passion for planning to create personalized travel guides and itineraries that help you spend less time researching and more time experiencing the world.

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When I'm not planning my next getaway, you'll probably find me trying a new recipe, spending time with friends and family, hanging out with my two cats or figuring out how to turn my next three-day weekend into another adventure.

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I'm so glad you're here, and I can't wait to help you plan your next getaway.

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Out of office. Into the world.

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Dominique

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Founder, The Away Message