Meet Emily Pariseau
LOCAL FOREIGNER’S TEAM OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
This post is part of our series celebrating our Independent Contractors and Hosting Program. The Local Foreigner's Hosting Program provides a platform of systems and support for independent travel advisors.
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GOING IT ALONE
In March of 2019, Emily Pariseau traveled to Easter Island alone. Of all the places in the world to be by yourself, the nearly deserted island 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile is particularly isolating. But out there, between the wild coastline and the monumental moai, Emily fell in love with the feeling of independence brought on by the solitude. “I became addicted to that sense of self reliance…where you’re the master of your own universe.” Emily says. Two years later, from her home base in Tampa, Emily still thinks about that feeling of freedom. In fact, it was the impetus for starting her own business and joining The Local Foreigner as an Independent Contractor.
New York -> Tampa -> Paris?
A Tampa native, Emily started her career in the travel industry at a high-end membership-based travel company in New York. After four years in Manhattan, Emily found herself longing for her home state. “I would visit my family [in Tampa] in February and suddenly remember that winters don’t have to be cold and gray.” Emily tells us, “It eventually became clear that I needed to move back home.” Brainstorming ways to continue her career in the travel industry while moving back to Tampa, Emily began considering remote roles, but didn’t really know where to get started. It’s funny how the universe works though — the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 made her decisions for her. Leaving New York behind, Emily headed back home, ready for a fresh start.
Acquaintances with a few Local Foreigner team members, Emily had seen several TLF Instagram posts about the growing IC program. “I had always admired TLF from afar,” she reveals, “so when I found out they were taking on ICs, I knew it was meant to be.” She reached out to Travel Coordinator Tatiana Stroud — her former sorority sister at Wake Forest University — and IC Cally Pirrung — a family friend — who put her in touch with Partner Alex Erdman, head of TLF’s hosting program.
After a few phone calls, it was obvious Emily would be a natural fit, and within a few months, she was officially part of the IC team. Alex Erdman introduced Emily to the team via email in a way only a travel advisor can: “When in doubt,” Alex wrote, “I remember how to pronounce her last name by combining the city of Paris with water spelled in French, Paris-EAU!”
A new clientele
Now that she’s settled in her now role, Emily couldn’t be happier. “I love the flexibility of this job,” she tells us on a sunny afternoon in Tampa, as she packs her ski gear for a winter trip to Big Sky. “I love that I can structure my day in a way that works best for me. Sometimes that means taking client calls in the morning and attending meetings in the afternoon, and sometimes it means conducting research and building itineraries. Every day is different, and I love that.”
She also loves that she can be choosy about who she works with, and the types of trips she takes on. In the early stages of her business, she’s booked last-minute getaways for friends, planned elaborate honeymoons, and forged new client relationships in unexpected places. “I feel really proud of the trips I’ve planned for family and friends — there’s something really special about planning a trip for people you love.”
But it’s obvious Emily’s expertise is getting noticed beyond her closest circles. “Somehow I now have a huge client base in Kansas City,” she tells us, grateful that clients’ word-of-mouth recommendations are taking flight beyond Florida.
“I became addicted to that sense of self reliance…where you’re the master of your own universe.”
Industrious
Since joining team TLF, Emily has made a name for herself (and The Local Foreigner!) in Tampa. When Super Bowl LV rolled into town, she managed to score an interview on News 10 Tampa discussing hotel inventory leading up to the big weekend. She was also quoted in the Tampa Business Journal. She’s doing everything she can to get her name out there, especially when it comes to her personal specialty: yacht charters. “My clients know I can help with hotel bookings and itinerary planning, but my specialty is yacht charters. They’re what I’m most looking forward to planning in 2021.”
Happiest when on the water, Emily loves everything about boating. Which is why her TLF blog column is called Smooth Sailing. “Yacht charters are my favorite type of trip to plan…and to take” she adds, “I also think they’re the perfect post-COVID trip, because they’re completely private and everything can be customized exactly to each individual guest’s needs.”
So until her next sailing, we wish her godspeed! We couldn’t be happier she’s chosen to anchor with us.
