A Smash Blog Interview with Maranatha Lee: The Travel Queen

Hi Maranatha thank you for joining Frisco Women today for this interview! Let’s get started by telling our readers about yourself and your background!

I grew up in Tyler, Texas—home to the famous Rose Festival—and my love for travel started early! In fact, I’ve been obsessed with it since I was 3 years old, when I begged my parents to take me on my first flight. My dad, being a pastor, had us traveling every summer to different states for our annual church convention, and that's when my passion for exploring new places truly took off. Fast forward to today, and I’ve visited 35 countries, always eager to discover more!

As for my background, I pursued my love for style and creativity through fashion merchandising. I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas, along with a minor in marketing. My experience in fashion gave me an eye for detail, design, and trends—skills that I now apply to travel. Whether it's finding the perfect accommodations or creating a seamless itinerary, I’m all about curating unforgettable experiences for my clients. Travel is personal, and I love helping others explore the world just as I’ve had the chance to do!

Thank you for sharing! We love our members and are always curious about how they came to us; when and how did you find out about Frisco Women?

I was invited by my old neighbor, who happens to run Frisco Women!

That’s awesome! Can you tell us a little about your business? We’d love to know how you got started, and where you’ve grown to today!

I’m the owner and lead travel stylist of Travel Queen, where we specialize in crafting personalized, one-of-a-kind travel experiences for clients across the globe. My journey actually began in fashion merchandising, where my eye for luxury and love for the finer details truly developed. After spending years in the fashion and retail industry, I decided to pivot and combine my passion for travel with my knack for creating tailored experiences—and that’s how Travel Queen was born!

The inspiration for Travel Queen came when I planned my own honeymoon to Italy. I realized just how overwhelming trip planning can be, and after receiving great feedback from friends who loved the custom itineraries I created for our girls’ trips, I knew there was a real need for personalized, immersive travel planning. So, I made it my mission to offer door-to-door service, handling every detail so clients can fully enjoy their journey. Today, we’ve grown into a full-service agency with travel stylists who specialize in everything from luxury escapes to accessible travel.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was scaling the business while managing all the moving parts—balancing client requests, coordinating with suppliers, and staying on top of trends. But I’ve learned to streamline processes without sacrificing that personal touch, ensuring every trip is seamless and stress-free. Now, Travel Queen is helping even more people turn their travel dreams into reality!

I’m all about the details—whether it’s finding the perfect boutique hotel or uncovering hidden gems at a destination, I love bringing dream vacations to life.atever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Do you have any advice for our readers?

Give yourself grace in life and in business - I am still learning that myself!

Now just for fun, what are your local favorites? We always like knowing about people’s favorite restaurants, dishes, drinks, etc!

If we're sticking to the Frisco area, I would say Didi's Downtown, Cane Rosso, Heirloom Haul, Neighborhood Services, Uncle Julios's (so happy they're in Frisco now), Sushi Nunu , Cookie Society, and Jake's Burgers!

Expanding to the DFW area, my go-to for a fancy meal are Town Hearth, Eddie V's, and Al Biernat's. I also love to dine at Haywire, Bulla Gastrobar, Pappadeaux, Kenny's Burger Joint, and Kenny's Woodfire Grill.

ALL of those places sound SO good right now! Do you know of any best kept secrets ? Something you wish more people knew about?

Since I'm a luxury travel advisor, I have to keep this on theme with travel! One of the best-kept secrets I wish more people knew about is Etyek Wine Country, just outside of Budapest. While most visitors flock to the big-name wine regions, Etyek offers a more intimate, laid-back experience with breathtaking views and incredible wines. It’s like stepping into a hidden gem of rolling vineyards, and the best part? You can enjoy wine tastings without the crowds, paired with delicious local food. Plus, it’s close enough to Budapest for a day trip but feels like a world away—perfect for those who want a relaxing escape with a touch of Hungarian charm!

Since I'm a luxury travel advisor, I have to keep this on theme with travel! One of the best-kept secrets I wish more people knew about is Etyek Wine Country, just outside of Budapest. While most visitors flock to the big-name wine regions, Etyek offers a more intimate, laid-back experience with breathtaking views and incredible wines. It’s like stepping into a hidden gem of rolling vineyards, and the best part? You can enjoy wine tastings without the crowds, paired with delicious local food. Plus, it’s close enough to Budapest for a day trip but feels like a world away—perfect for those who want a relaxing escape with a touch of Hungarian charm!

Thank you Maranatha for joining us today! Where can our readers find you?

website: travelqueenusa.com
email: hello@travelqueenusa.com
instragram: https://www.instagram.com/travelqueenllc
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelqueenllc

Frisco Women

Frisco Women seeks to enhance the greater Frisco, TX area by providing quality & positive connections between women and women owned businesses.

https://www.friscowomen.com
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A Smash Blog Interview with Hanyia Fadil: Owner of Unwind Texas.