Meet Niki Kay | Digital Nomad, Travel Content Creator and Group Trips Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niki Kay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niki, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
At twenty-six years old, I embarked on my first solo travel adventure. While I enjoyed the freedom of solo travel, I quickly realized that what I loved most was sharing experiences with others. Waiting for friends or family to join me became frustrating—we had different schedules and budgets. That’s when I decided to go solo, but with a twist: I started organizing group trips for solo travelers to come together and experience the joy of travel collectively.

Last year, I took a group of 14 solo travelers to Morocco, and this January, I led 8 solo female travelers to Thailand. Most recently, I guided a group of 5 solo female travelers through Greece. Next year, I’m excited to take a group to Peru! We have cracked Africa, Asia, Europe and South America is up next. My trips are open to both women and men who bring positive energy, an open mind, and a genuine excitement for experiencing the culture and adventure each destination has to offer. What I truly love about these trips is the sense of safety they provide and the deep connections and friendships that are formed among like-minded travelers.

My vision is to empower more people to live their travel dreams fearlessly, meet new people, explore diverse cultures, and in the process, expand their own minds and consciousness—just as travel has done for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my career as a Biomedical Engineer, working in Corporate MedTech as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist for over eight years. During that time, I had the privilege of working with three of the world’s top ten largest medical device companies, all while pursuing my Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. As I transitioned to working remotely, I was able to blend my career with my love for travel, and that’s when my passion for storytelling truly took off.

As a digital nomad and travel content creator, I started sharing my travel experiences on social media, and soon, my following grew with people interested in transitioning to a similar lifestyle. Balancing work and travel wasn’t always easy—my travel schedules often clashed with work commitments—but I made it work for over four years. Along the way, I also pursued my passion projects in the travel space, collaborating with major travel brands and sharing the journey with my audience.

Recently, I launched my own mindset and wellness podcast, Mindset Mentress, now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. On the podcast, I dive into key mindset practices and wellness topics to inspire others to cultivate well-rounded, balanced lifestyles. Through both my travels and my podcast, I aim to empower others to live a life filled with purpose, passion, and growth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d plan the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and a little bit of relaxation. Since I’m currently based in New York City, I’d kick things off with a Saturday morning trip to the farmer’s market to grab fresh flowers and some local goodies. Then we’d grab brunch at a cute spot like Jack’s Wife Freda or Butcher’s Daughter.

For the rest of the week, I’d create a blend of classic NYC experiences and hidden gems. Here’s a little sample itinerary:

Day 1: Start with a leisurely walk through Central Park, maybe hit up the Met for some culture. We’d do lunch at Sarabeth’s before an afternoon shopping spree in SoHo—so many boutiques and unique shops. Dinner would be at Carbone or a cozy Italian spot, followed by drinks at The Fleur Room for killer skyline views.

Day 2: Explore Brooklyn—starting in DUMBO with coffee at Butler, a walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park, and a visit to the Brooklyn Museum. We’d end the day with dinner at Lilia or an industrial chic spot in Williamsburg, with rooftop drinks at Westlight for some sunset vibes.

Day 3: A day trip to the Hamptons or Beacon for a little nature break. We could visit local wineries or art galleries and just soak up the quiet. This is our “zen” day—maybe even a yoga class or a wellness experience at a boutique spa.

Day 4: A full-on adventure day. Maybe kayaking on the Hudson River, or we could head to Roosevelt Island for a ride on the tram and a chill day of exploring. Lunch would be street food or a casual café, followed by rooftop cocktails at Harriet’s.

Day 5: A museum day! We’d visit the MoMA, Guggenheim, or maybe a rotating exhibit like the Immersive Van Gogh experience. Then I’d book a fun, fancy dinner at Electric Lemon or Tao, followed by some live music or a show at a local venue.

Day 6: Let’s do a food crawl through Chinatown and Little Italy—dumplings, pizza, and cannolis! In the afternoon, maybe a little pampering at Aire Ancient Baths for a spa day. Evening drinks at a speakeasy, like Employees Only or Please Don’t Tell, would be the perfect end to the night.

Day 7: The last day would be a chill recovery day—coffee at Bluestone Lane, a little window shopping on 5th Ave, and some final city sightseeing like the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock. We’d end with a dinner at Eleven Madison Park or Nobu to close out the week in style.

I’d want them to experience the city the way I do—a mix of trendy spots, wellness, amazing food, hidden gems, and of course, time to soak up all the culture and energy NYC has to offer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to the company TrovaTrip that allowed me to host my first group trip for my community. Working with them really laid my foundation and training on how to be a group trip leader.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niki.kay/

Image Credits
All images are captured on my camera.