Stacey Cabell: Building a Business Fueled by Passion and Perseverance
What does it take to turn personal setbacks into a thriving business? For Stacey Cabell, the answer lies in passion, grit, and the belief that your past does not define your future.
In a recent episode of the Grit Won’t Quit podcast, host Tom Mirabella sat down with Stacey, the owner of STARSTUFF TRAVEL, to talk about her 13-year journey in the travel industry, her surprising path to entrepreneurship, and how embracing her personal story has helped her inspire others.
From High School Dropout to Business Owner
Stacey doesn’t shy away from her backstory—though for a long time, she did. She opens up on the podcast about dropping out of high school, enduring tough times as a teenager, and working in the medical field before finally following her heart into the travel industry.
“It wasn’t until about 14 years ago,” Stacey shares, “that I had this aha moment. I realized if I didn’t do something I was passionate about, I might never do it.”
That realization led her to take courses at the Travel Institute and eventually open her own agency. But it wasn’t just about the travel—Stacey was fueled by a bigger purpose: building something meaningful, not just for herself, but for others too.
Building STARSTUFF TRAVEL From the Ground Up
After a short stint working under another agency, Stacey was approached by a friend who wanted to become a travel agent—but didn’t want to be a competitor. That was the push Stacey needed. She went home, spoke with her husband, and decided to open her own agency within three months.
That friend? She’s still with STARSTUFF TRAVEL today.
What started as a dream has grown into a business filled with heart, resilience, and shared purpose. Stacey’s team stayed strong through the challenges of the pandemic—despite the financial hit travel agents took during that time.
“We don’t charge our clients,” she explains. “We only get paid once the client actually travels. During COVID, we lost income on all the work we had already done. But the team stayed because we love what we do.”
Passion, Travel, and Family
One of the most inspiring aspects of Stacey’s story is how her family has been part of the journey. Her son helped launch the business before moving on to a career in media, and her husband left his home improvement business to join her full-time. Together, they now explore the world—turning their work into shared experiences.
Two of her favorite places? Hawaii and Alaska—opposite in many ways, but both rich in culture and personal meaning.
“We’ve been to Alaska three times now,” Stacey says. “The first time was just for work, but we fell in love with it. We’ve even done the Alaska Railroad. It’s a bucket-list experience.”
Embracing the Journey and Paying It Forward
While business success has been rewarding, Stacey says her biggest breakthrough came more recently. With the help of a mindset coach, she began opening up publicly about her past.
“I used to hide it,” she says. “But now I know that sharing my story can help others. I want to be the voice that tells someone else, ‘If I can do it, so can you.’”
She now mentors others, speaks publicly about mindset and business, and encourages people to pursue what lights them up—no matter their age, background, or path.
Her advice? Don’t wait. Don’t let fear or perfectionism stall your growth. Try something, and if it doesn’t work, try something else. Failures are part of the process.
“You only get one chance with little responsibility,” Stacey says. “Whether you’re 20, 40, or 60, there’s always time to pivot—but the earlier you start, the more you learn.”
Why Passion Always Wins
In a world filled with quick wins and burnout, Stacey is a reminder that when your work aligns with your passion, success becomes sustainable. You’ll keep going, even when it’s hard. You’ll push forward, even when things fall apart.
“You can’t fake passion,” she says. “People see right through it. When you love what you do, it shows.”
Stacey’s story is more than a business journey. It’s a testament to second chances, self-belief, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in your potential.
“Sometimes,” she adds, “you just need someone in your corner.”
Want to follow Stacey’s journey?
You can connect with her at staceycabell.com, follow her travel business at starstufftravel.net, and find her on social media under Stacey Cabell, Stacey Singleton Cabell, Stacey’s Travels, and Authentically Stacey.
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
