About Us

In this blog, Trip Independent Founder Diedre Fox curates various travel topics through conversations with friends, clients and service providers. Designed as a coffee-shop style discussion for global travelers seeking entertaining stories, favorite destinations, tips and tricks, new discoveries, food, art, and anything else that may spark inspiration. I welcome all readers to explore, enjoy and even reach out to contribute, if so inspired.

About the Founder

My inspiration to start Trip Independent came from working for over a decade in luxury hospitality as a private concierge in Hawaii. After one of my clients approached me to see if I might be interested in planning world-wide travel beyond Hawaii, I was inspired to branch out and eventually form what is now Trip Independent. In this ever-increasing world of automation and pandemic confusion, I pride myself in creating harmony for my clients, making for a seemingly effortless trip.

Passion for travel, culture and cuisine run deep in my family. My grandparents were world travelers, taking art classes in every country they would visit. The paintings, sculpture and pottery they would create always reflected the places they had been, and with each piece would come the most wonderful stories. These pieces of art have travelled with me throughout my life and have been an endless source of comfort and inspiration for me.

Offering comfort from my broken ankle is my Grandmother’s “Pinata”, painted in Venezuela in 1967.

Florence, Italy with my mother

The first 3 years of my life were spent travelling through Europe and the Mediterranean. Although I barely remember much from that time, I would relish hearing stories of our travels while growing up. My mother, having been raised in the West Indies as a child, would oftentimes impart stories and share music from that time of her life, which would further enrich and inspire me.

As an adult, this family tradition of a somewhat nomadic lifestyle has resonated strongly with me. Every few years I would find myself gingerly packing up priceless paintings and pottery for my various moves from coast to coast. I eventually landed in Hawaii, where I have (for the most part) stayed for the past 15 years.

The first year of forming Trip Independent happened during a year-long, round-the-world trip with my husband, as we journeyed through Europe, Africa, The Mediterranean, East Asia and Southeast Asia. During our travels one afternoon, sitting on the deck of our hotel in Morocco, I gazed out over the ocean as a peacock perched next to me on the indigo tiles that lined the outdoor soaking tub. Sipping the mint tea that had been so graciously brought to our room, I pondered the culture I encountered here. With an embodiment of empathy, grace, and welcoming acceptance, I felt a strong connection to this level of service and attention.

A peacock joins me for afternoon tea in Morocco

By sharing my love of travel, exploration and problem-solving, each trip is very personal to me because when my clients travel, I am with them every step of the way. It is my hope that by making meaningful connections and finding partnerships world-wide I can continue to create lasting memories worthy of a lifetime of stories to be shared with future generations.