We love learning about the talented and successful moms in our community We hope you consider supporting these moms when looking for various services. In today’s interview, we are excited to introduce Vanessa Stalter. Let’s learn more about Vanessa and her business.
Hello! Please introduce yourself to the Libertyville Area Moms community.
Hi! I’m Vanessa Stalter, owner of Tailored Travel Partners and a Libertyville mom of two teenagers. I graduated from LHS in 1997 and, like many alumni, found my way back to this wonderful community we’re lucky to call home.
I founded Tailored Travel Partners, an affiliate of Departure Lounge, from my deep love of travel and the belief that every journey should be as unique as the person taking it. To me, travel is about more than reaching a destination—it’s about the people we meet and the memories that stay with us long after we return home.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to the area?
I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Libertyville in 8th grade. Like a lot of people who leave, I ended up coming back—my husband and I moved here in 2012, knowing it was where we wanted to raise our family.
Tell us about your children.
We have two amazing teenagers! Our daughter Madeline is currently a freshman at Miami University in Ohio, where she is majoring in Human Capital Leadership and Management. Our son Aidan is a junior at LHS, where he plays on both the golf and lacrosse teams.
What are your favorite things to do in the area? Family friendly restaurant? Date night?
We’ve gotten into a rhythm of family golf on Sundays, which has become something we all look forward to. Last summer, we also made it to quite a few country concerts together. As much as I miss when the kids were little, it’s been really fun watching them grow up and start sharing the same interests as us. My husband and I also like taking our goldendoodle, Ryder for walks around Butler Park.
For date nights, we usually end up at MilwakyTrace, and we try to support local restaurants when meeting up with friends whenever we can—it’s a big part of what makes the town feel like home. As a family, we also love going to Milwaky Taco and Shakou.
In addition to the restaurants you mentioned, can you share your favorite local businesses?
My go-to spots in Libertyville for gifts are Singalia and Blu Violet—the owners are truly a breath of fresh air, and it’s always such a joy to shop there. I also love Edie Boutique for home decor; they always have the best pieces that make a house feel like home. For photography, I highly recommend Kelly with Life Unfiltered Photography—she has such a great eye for capturing real, natural moments.
And when it comes to local realtors, we are so lucky to have so many incredible ones in town—Julie Towne, Dawn Kasten, Amy Seymour, Majbrith Brody, Erin Kahn, and the Leslie McDonnell Team, who actually helped us buy our home 14 years ago
!If anyone is looking for a local gym, Kristen Sheridan brings incredible energy with her team at Good Vibes Only. And if you’re in need of event planning, I highly recommend Jen Hatten, owner of M3 Events!
Which podcasts/books inspire you the most?
I love listening to “How I built This” and recently just listened to the Let Them Theory.
What are your favorite places to travel near and far and why?
I’ll always be a beach person—anyone who knows me knows winter isn’t my thing, so I’ll take any excuse for a great beach trip. That said, I’ve really come to appreciate trips that let us experience different cultures and see new places through our kids’ eyes. There’s something special about that mix of exploring, trying new things, and building in a few fun activities along the way. We’ve been lucky to travel quite a bit as a family, and it never gets old—each trip feels different, and we always come back with a new favorite memory or unexpected adventure. One thing I’ve learned is to ask the kids what they want to do before we go. It’s made the trips more fun for everyone. Now that they’re older, they’re part of the “where to next” conversations too, which makes it even more meaningful This summer we are traveling to Ireland as a family, which we are all really looking forward to! I’ve also realized it’s not always just about the destination, but what you do once you’re there. One thing I always recommend—if you can, get out on the water. It gives you a completely different perspective and ends up being one of the most memorable parts of a trip.
Please tell us about your business.
Tailored Travel Partners is an affiliate of Departure Lounge, founded by me. I created the business in the belief that every journey should be as unique as the person taking it. I work one-on-one with clients to design fully customized travel experiences—whether that’s a simple hotel booking, European itinerary, a multi-generational family vacation, a honeymoon, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I handle all the details from start to finish, including hotels, private transfers, tours, dining, and special experiences, all thoughtfully curated around each client’s preferences, pace, and budget. As a Virtuoso member, I’m able to offer clients exclusive perks and VIP amenities at hotels, resorts, and cruises around the world, enhancing their overall travel experience without additional cost. My role is to simplify planning and elevate every journey with expert guidance, trusted global partnerships, and highly personalized recommendations. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, I’m there to make travel seamless, meaningful, and stress-free—so clients can focus on truly experiencing their trip.
What do you do in your position?
I design custom itineraries from start to finish. To begin the process, I ask clients to complete a short inquiry form where they can share the basic details of their trip. From there, I schedule a discovery call to better understand their travel style, preferences, and goals. Every client is different, with unique wishes and budgets, and my goal is to thoughtfully design a trip that feels perfectly tailored to them.
What else would you like us to know about your business?
I started Tailored Travel Partners because I really believe travel should feel personal and not one-size-fits-all. Everyone travels differently, with different styles and budgets, and I love getting to know my clients and planning trips that reflect what matters most to them—whether that’s a relaxing beach week, exploring a new city, or a family trip built around shared experiences. I also believe trips should be planned with someone you trust, and one thing people are often surprised to learn is that you don’t spend more working with a travel advisor. Every trip starts with a conversation, and from there I focus on making the planning process easy, thoughtful, and tailored to each client. At the end of the day, my goal is simple—help people take trips they’re excited about and come home with memories.
Photo Credit: Pix Around for my Paris
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This community has been such an important part of my journey. A lot of my clients have come from referrals, and I’m really grateful for the support and trust I’ve received from so many amazing moms locally. The encouragement, conversations, and willingness to pass my name along have made a big impact, and I truly appreciate it!
Anything else that you would like to share?
I’d love for you to follow along on Instagram for travel inspiration and destination ideas. Sometimes it’s fun to explore the world right from your desk!
Thank you to Vanessa for sharing your story with us! If you would like to learn how you can be a featured Meet a Mom, please contact us at [email protected]