I am honoured to introduce you to Jen Ruiz (she/her)—a lawyer turned travel writer and entrepreneur who shares her story on reinvention, solo travel, and building a purpose-driven brand..

Jen is also a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and award winning travel journalist. She has been named a top Latina travel influencer by The Points Guy and Mitú and is the solo female traveler behind Jen on a Jet Plane. 

Eating pizza cooked on a volcano is her idea of an adventure.

Hola Jen, I’m so happy to have you here and to share more of what you do with our readers!

You began your career with a more traditional path. Can you take us back to the moment you realized you wanted something different—and what sparked the leap into building your own platform?

I was inspired to start my business after realizing that success didn’t have to look like a courtroom and a blazer. I had checked all the boxes—law degree, stable career, accolades—but I still felt unfulfilled. The year before my 30th birthday, I took a 12 trips in 12 months challenge while employed full-time that changed everything.  

Travel gave me purpose, writing helped me process, and sharing my journey inspired others. What started as a personal challenge to enjoy my 20s before they were gone forever turned into a published book, a platform to empower solo travelers (especially women), and a six-figure business rooted in storytelling, visibility, and freedom.

From a personal challenge to a six-figure storytelling brand—that’s such a powerful evolution. Looking at where you are now, what’s a recent milestone that felt especially affirming?

I recently wrapped work as both a writer and destination editor for Lonely Planet’s upcoming Central America guidebooks. It was a massive project that involved coordinating a team of contributors, managing logistics across multiple countries, and ensuring the content met Lonely Planet’s gold standard. Seeing my name in the bylines of a brand I grew up reading felt like a tangible reminder that I’ve built a career doing what I love, and that I’ve earned my seat at the table.

You’ve clearly built something deeply intentional—yet from the outside, people often glamorize creative careers. What’s a misconception about being a travel creator that you find yourself constantly correcting?

A big misconception is that being a travel influencer or content creator is all free trips and cute photos. People don’t see the backend, like the pitching, negotiating, writing, editing, brand management, audience building, and constant content creation. It’s a real business, not a paid vacation.

I challenge that by being transparent about the work involved and by showing up as both a creative and a professional. I talk openly about rates, contracts, and burnout. I teach others how to do this sustainably, and I’ve proven my value through bylines with major publications, paid partnerships, and a successful author career. I want people to know this isn’t a fluke—it’s a craft, and it’s earned.

That transparency is so important especially when so much of the content out there focuses on the “highlight reel”. For someone who sees themselves in your earlier story—what advice would you offer as they consider making a pivot?

Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need a fancy title, a million followers, or someone to validate your ideas to start. What you need is consistency, clarity, and the courage to be seen. Coming from a more traditional background, I had to unlearn a lot about what “success” should look like. This industry rewards visibility and authenticity, not just credentials.

Speak up. Share your story. Pitch the thing. You belong in the room, even if no one who looks like you has been there yet. And if the door isn’t open, build your own platform. That’s exactly what I did.

Thank you so much for that. Today you’ve built a business rooted in visibility and multiple revenue streams—but was there ever a moment when everything felt uncertain? Can you share a time you almost walked away, and what shifted for you?

When the pandemic hit, I lost my biggest source of passive income overnight. My Mediavine ad revenue dropped to zero as travel came to a standstill. I had built years of blog content and traffic, and just like that, it was gone. I remember sitting on my couch, unsure if I had made a huge mistake by leaving law.

What kept me going was resourcefulness and grit. I pivoted hard, leaning into digital products, writing books, offering online workshops, and building new income streams like social media management. That moment forced me to diversify, and it ended up being the most expansive thing I could’ve done. Now I’m not dependent on one platform or algorithm. I have a business with multiple revenue streams, and that’s real security.

That must have been such a stressful season to navigate on your own! This leads me to my next question. How has community shaped your journey—and how do you intentionally give back within your industry?

Community is everything. I’ve built my career by connecting directly with my audience—answering DMs, showing up vulnerably, and sharing the behind-the-scenes of what it really takes to chase a dream. I’ve also built a platform that helps others—especially women and creators of color—see what’s possible when you break the mold.

I give back by sharing what I’ve learned. Whether it’s through my books, workshops, Substack, or just being transparent about my rates and challenges. I try to demystify the path so others can find their own. I also mentor emerging writers and speak at schools and events to reach people who might not otherwise see someone like them in this space.

You’ve clearly been the first in many rooms—as a Latina, attorney, and now creative entrepreneur and travel writer. How does that layered background show up in the way you build and share your work today?

As a Puerto Rican woman and former attorney, my background deeply informs everything I do. Practicing law taught me how to advocate—for others and for myself—which became a foundation for my work as a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. I bring that same rigor and clarity to storytelling, whether I’m crafting a travel memoir or mentoring aspiring creators.

Coming from a background where stability was prioritized over self-expression, I understand what it means to take a risk on your dreams. That’s why I share my journey so openly, because I know what it’s like to be the first, to feel like you don’t belong, and to choose a path that’s not guaranteed. My work is rooted in reclaiming narrative, building freedom, and helping others do the same.

I love that so much of your story centers around reclaiming narrative and choosing freedom. When you zoom out, what legacy do you hope your work leaves behind?

I want to leave behind a legacy of permission. Permission for women—especially women of color—to take up space, to travel solo, to pivot careers, to start over, and to dream bigger than what they were taught to settle for.

Through my books, talks, and platforms, I hope to show that freedom is possible, even if you weren’t born into it. That you can build a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good on paper. And that your story, in all its mess and magic, is worth telling.

That idea of permission feels like a thread running through everything you do. When you step onto a stage, what topics light you up the most right now?

I’m passionate about speaking on solo travel, reinvention, and building a purpose-driven brand. As someone who left a stable legal career to pursue a creative life, I love helping others realize they can pivot, too, and that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional path.

You’ve spoken on stages from TEDx to industry panels. How has public speaking shaped your business and the evolution of your personal brand?

Public speaking has been a game-changer for my brand. It positioned me as an expert, helped me reach new audiences, and opened doors to partnerships, press features, and book deals. Each keynote or panel gave me a chance to share my story in a deeper way, and those connections often turned into clients, collaborations, or community members.

It’s also helped me refine my message. When you speak to a live audience, you see what resonates in real time. That feedback has made me a better writer, entrepreneur, and storyteller.

And finally—for organizers looking to bring you onto their stage—what’s the signature message or framework audiences can expect to walk away with?

My signature message is that you don’t have to wait for permission to live the life you want. You can choose it, create it, and claim it now. I call it the “Permission to Pivot” framework, and it’s built around three pillars:

• Reclaim Your Power: Let go of the expectations and titles that no longer serve you.
• Redefine Success: Align your goals with your values, not someone else’s blueprint.
• Rewrite Your Story: Share your journey with purpose and turn your experiences into impact.

Whether I’m speaking about solo travel, entrepreneurship, or building visibility as a woman of color, the core message is the same: 

You are the author of your own life.

Thank you so much for sharing more of your journey and perspectives with us, Jen. To wrap things up, I’d love to ask you 3 rapid-fire questions.

What does success mean to you on a personal level?

Success, to me, means freedom—of time, of location, and of choice. It’s waking up excited about what I’m creating, having the flexibility to travel or rest when I need to, and knowing that I’m building something that reflects who I really am.

It’s also about impact. If my work helps someone feel seen, take a leap, or believe they’re capable of more, that’s success. And on the deepest level, it’s peace. Not having to constantly hustle for validation, but feeling grounded in my purpose and proud of the life I’ve built

What’s an exciting project you’re currently working on? 

I’m currently finishing my next travel memoir, All You Need Is Flights, which will be published by Blackstone Publishing in 2026. It’s the sequel to 12 Trips in 12 Months and follows my journey of rediscovering magic after heartbreak through solo adventures like volcano pizza in Guatemala and kintsugi in Japan.

If you could share one message with the world from a stage, what would it be?

Stop waiting. Start living.

Stop waiting for the perfect timing, the approval, the plan to come together. Life isn’t something you earn once you’ve achieved enough, it’s something you get to live right now.

Start living boldly. Living with intention. Living like your story matters, because it does.

Connect With Jen

Website | Instagram 

The Speaker Movement

Get featured on the Speaker Directory—join Speaker Era to get your own speaker profile, searchable signature talk listings, and access the curriculum + live quarterly workshops designed to grow your public speaking career!

Join the free Speaker Movement Community—grow your network with other speakers, attend weekly live events like the cowork + network fiesta, and learn more about sustainable visibility through public speaking!

Get featured through Speaker Stories—share your story through a media feature and grow your brand as a thought leader!