From day one the Soi 55 brand was built around travel.
In 2015 (with 6 years of adventure travel and surf trips already behind me) I set off on yet another ‘happiness mission’. I spent 10 weeks in Thailand and Indonesia with a goal of coming back with a business I could run from anywhere.
Where did the name Soi 55 come from?
I spent a month in Bangkok, sourcing artisan products and sketching logos in an apartment on the busy street…Sukhumvit Soi 55 which is what gave me the brand name. It may seem like “just a street name” but to me it’s a reminder to always follow your heart and do more of what you love. This is the view from the apartment where it all began…
By time I was back in the UK I was ready to launch the business. I started working remotely in 2016 (long before it became the norm) and despite some very testing times I’m still working fully remote to this day. I’m eternally grateful that I have the opportunity to make this my lifestyle.
The beginning…
I sourced handmade bags from around the world in destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico and worked directly with the talented artisans that made them. With their help I was able to design my own collections and after a few years of very hard work the Soi 55 brand was selling in 17 stockists across the globe.
In 2016 I moved to Portugal and continued selling product while also starting to document my travels around Portugal and Europe, writing travel guides as I went. I fell deeper and deeper in love with Portugal with every trip I went on.
What came next…
In 2020 after the pandemic hit I decided to stop selling ‘stuff’ and began creating meaningful travel guides instead. In 2022 after facing several challenging health issue including a cancer diagnosis, I pivoted the business to focus on what I love the most – travel planning! After 15+ years of personal travel planning and 7 years living in and traveling around Europe, I’m now helping others discover meaningful travel in Portugal, Spain and Italy.
I can’t thank you enough for the fabulous itinerary and our conversations about traveling in Portugal! My daughter and I had the time of our lives, in large part because of your insight and suggestions. You provided such a lovely variety that matched our desire to not “play tourist” but experience Portugal and its people.
This was truly a trip of a lifetime in so many ways.
Laura & Angela, USA
What’s next?…
I’m happily settled in Cascais and travel around Portugal very regularly. I still travel internationally several times a year and there is always an upcoming trip in the pipeline. I’ve found my ‘happy place’ and I’m so grateful to be able to share my knowledge and passion with others.
Planning a trip to Portugal, Spain or Italy? I’m here to help.
If you want to plan the perfect trip but there are just too many options, I can help you make the most of your time. If you want a personalised travel itinerary, full to the brim with authentic experiences, I’ve got you…
