Career Change and Rediscovering Adventure with Laura Ericson

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Laura Ericson about the bold journey of leaving a secure career to build an adventurous life and business around world travel. From her base in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (when she's actually home!), Laura details her transformation from director at a technical college to the founder of a thriving group travel company, designing immersive cultural experiences for curious adults. Listeners will walk away inspired by Laura’s candid perspective on divorce, navigating uncertainty, and the practicalities (and emotion) of starting over to pursue a more aligned and exciting life.

About Laura Ericson:

Laura Ericson is the founder of Laura Ericson Group Trips, a boutique travel company specializing in transformational experiences to off-the-beaten-path destinations like Morocco, India, Kenya, and Cuba. After spending 14 years in higher education leadership, she made the leap to entrepreneurship at 34, turning her post-divorce wanderlust into a business that has taken over 230 travelers to 9 countries. Laura believes in "Type 2 Fun"—those experiences that might suck in the moment but become your best stories later—and is passionate about responsible travel that gives back to local communities. She lives in Wisconsin (yes, really) and has a concerning habit of getting travel tattoos in foreign countries despite swearing she won't after each one.

Main Topics Covered:

• Rethinking New Year’s resolutions: why personal growth isn’t tied to the calendar.
• The realities and misconceptions of technical colleges vs. four-year universities—and the impact on careers and debt.
• How divorce, solo travel, and the pandemic sparked Laura’s business transformation.
• Recognizing when you’re “playing it safe” in life—and how to awaken your adventurous spirit.
• The emotional process of leaving a secure job for entrepreneurial uncertainty.
• Overcoming fear: taking real steps (not just dreaming) toward career change.
• Building community and belonging for solo travelers craving authentic, meaningful adventure.
• Tangible travel hacks for life on the road—from luggage scales to navigating lost bags.

Quote from the Episode: “A lot of people who get divorced, like, see it as the end of their life. I see it as the end of your life as you know it and the opportunity to start over.” — Laura Ericson

Timestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome & Laura’s rare appearance at home in Eau Claire, WI

[00:00:35] New Year’s resolutions and perpetual goal-setting

[00:02:29] Laura’s 14-year career in higher education and the decision to leave

[00:03:42] The gap between studying and career path; value of technical college

[00:13:21] Major life change: divorce, personal transition, and the pandemic’s impact

[00:18:38] Rediscovering adventure through solo travel—and launching a group travel business

[00:33:08] The logistics and fear of quitting a stable job

[00:35:03] The power of the “decision moment” in career change

[00:41:20] Starting a business with nothing but a passion for travel

[00:46:36] What Laura Ericson Group Trips is—and who it serves

[00:49:29] Favorite travel hacks, books, podcasts, and travel mishaps

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