Sylvia Silks was born in Bogotรก, Colombia, and moved to the United States when she was about five years old. She grew up in West Broward, Florida, and later studied at Florida Atlantic University. After graduate school in Connecticut, she spent fifteen years between Connecticut, New York, and Atlanta before returning to Miami.
Her move back was prompted by her relationship: โI met my husband who was living in Miamiโฆ when our relationship got serious, he said, โIf you, you know, for us to be together, youโd have to come back here.โโ She described seeing the city change in recent years: โItโs grown so muchโฆ the food sceneโs gotten betterโฆ people are more open because theyโre coming from all over and looking for community.โ
Leaving Linear Success
After nearly two decades in corporate roles across spirits, consumer goods, and hospitality, Silks began to question her trajectory. โAbout fifteen years into my careerโฆ I wanted something a little bit more creative,โ she said. A work trip to Egypt made her reconsider her priorities: โI knew that I just wasnโt happy chasing this ladder for what? For money, for titles.โ
The turning point came while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. โLast year we were climbing Mount Kilimanjaroโฆ this is not what I want to do anymoreโฆ I came back from climbing that mountain. The next month, I started my business.โ
Clients Seeking Balance
Her company, Soul Kiss Escapes, focuses on women who appear accomplished but feel disconnected. Silks observes a pattern: โWeโre living so much in our masculineโฆ your day is programmed out from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed.โ
She advises creating unstructured time: โDonโt plan out your day so much. Leave room to breatheโฆ If itโs not calling to you that day, cancel it.โ Her own routine includes โone thing I canโt miss in the dayโฆ going to yoga. Itโs my one hour.โ
Practical Travel and Wardrobe
Silksโ early work travel meant long days in heels: โI always wanted to look great wherever I wentโฆ I would be walking trade shows, killing my feet.โ Later she chose comfort: โI can still beโฆ fashionable, but in flats and itโs okay that Iโm short.โ
Her packing method relies on utility: โI love a good dress that I can just put a jacket over or a scarfโฆ It doesnโt take up that much room in your luggage.โ
Her recurring accessory is the hat: โI have a thing for hatsโฆ my husband always tells me, โThatโs your brand.โโ
Transformation by Design
Silks defines transformative travel as โwherever youโre being called to, letting go of your phone.โ She suggests limited social media use during trips: โWhen youโre out and about having lunch, look aroundโฆ Try to do activities that are connecting you with the local community.โ
Direct interaction with locals, she said, changes the experience: โThose people open up your experienceโฆ They recommend the places to go for dinnerโฆ even the hikes.โ
To tailor such experiences, she builds relationships with property owners through Virtuoso Travel Week: โThis would be great for this personโฆ I know the perfect place for youโฆ theyโre going to treat you more personally than if youโre booking through.โ
Solo or Group Journeys
Silks believes both solo and group travel have value. โOn a solo journeyโฆ the only person youโre really listening to all the time is yourself,โ she said. Shared experiences also create community: โWhen you meet othersโฆ you are open to connection and community.โ
She recalled an unexpected friendship on a trip: โI was partnered with a 23-year-old man from Australiaโฆ he really helped me recognize that I have strength and not to shy away.โ
Boundaries and Family
As a founder, stepmother, and traveler, Silks sets clear limits on her time. โI can be very selfish, and I think thatโs okayโฆ my family canโt get the best of me if I donโt get those moments to reset.โ
With age, this has become easier: โBefore in my 30s it wasโฆ more difficult, but now that Iโm in my late 40sโฆ I need so much sleep. I need this. I need that.โ
The Shoes
The podcast closed with a discussion of a single object that holds meaning for her: โThese are my first pair of expensive shoesโฆ I bought them for my weddingโฆ The thing I love about them the most is how comfortable they are.โ The pairโfive-inch Jimmy Choo pumpsโsymbolizes balance between confidence and function.
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