Meet Kimberley Flores | Owner/Operator WanderFemme Adventures

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

Hi Kimberley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my business really came from conversations I kept having with women who loved the idea of travel but didn’t always feel confident going on their own. I realized that, for me, traveling solo or in small groups had always felt natural, but that wasn’t the case for everyone. I saw a need for travel experiences that felt approachable, supportive, and a little different from the typical big group, tourist-heavy trips.

I’ve always been drawn to smaller, more immersive adventures—where you actually learn a bit of the language, connect with local people, and really get a feel for the culture rather than just checking off major sights. That’s the kind of experience I wanted to offer through my company: travel that feels personal, thoughtful, and empowering for women.

My background is not in business, so my thought process was that I would start it from scratch. I toyed with the idea of buying a travel business, but I wanted to grow it slowly and organically. I know how to travel, but I’m learning how to own a business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has always centered around education, specifically in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. I started out as a teacher, but over time, I moved into roles as a program coordinator, coach, university professor, and administrator. I even had the opportunity to help found bilingual programs, which was something I’m especially proud of. What’s always set my work apart is a deep commitment to equity and inclusion—making sure that students from all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t necessarily easy. Working in education systems means navigating a lot of challenges—structural limitations, resource gaps, and at times, resistance to change. I’ve learned that persistence and adaptability are key. I kept coming back to my core belief that education should open doors for everyone, not just for those who already have advantages.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that relationships and trust matter. Whether I was working with students, families, or colleagues, progress always came from listening first and building real connections.

That belief in community and meaningful experiences is also what led me to start my travel company. It might seem like a big leap from education to travel, but both are about learning and expanding your world. I want people—especially women—to feel confident exploring new cultures, stepping outside their comfort zones, and building connections across languages and borders.

At the heart of my story is the idea that growth happens when you stay curious, stay open, and keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t obvious and even when it’s not comfortable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Boulder for a week, I’d want her to experience both the must-see spots and some of the quieter, more local places I really enjoy. We’d definitely start with a hike at Chautauqua—it’s so iconic, but we’d go super early in the morning to avoid the crowds and really take in the calm. I’d also take her up Mount Sanitas or out to Walker Ranch for trails that feel a little more off the beaten path.

When it comes to food, I gravitate toward good Mexican, Italian, or Thai with vegetarian options. I’d take her to T/aco for vegetarian tacos, Il Pastaio for handmade pastas in a relaxed, neighborhood setting, and definitely Aloy Thai for flavorful vegetarian dishes that really hit the spot.

We’d spend some time wandering Pearl Street Mall, but I’d make sure we check out quieter spots too, like Trident Booksellers or Ozo Coffee. One afternoon would be reserved for tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse—sitting outside by the creek is still one of my favorite ways to slow down.

I’d also plan a day trip up to Lyons or Nederland. Nederland has such a laid-back mountain town vibe, and one of my favorite local spots there is Salto Coffee. It’s the perfect place to grab a drink and snack and just hang out for a bit before exploring the area.

Evenings would be a mix of live music at the Fox Theatre or relaxing on a patio somewhere with good conversation. For me, showing someone around Boulder is really about balance—great hikes, great food, and making space to enjoy both the energy of the town and the quieter, more personal moments

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shout out to my first WanderFemme group who trusted me to take them to northern Italy in May 2024!! I took eight amazing women and the trip exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds. They are all friends of mine and I told them I would give them the trip at cost in exchange for photos, videos, reviews, and a LOT of grace! (which they happily gave me when I stalled the manual transmission van, got stuck in a farmer’s field in the mud, and many other first time snags!!)

Website: https://www.wanderfemmeadventures.com

Instagram: wanderfemmeadventures

Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33324-d33236095-Reviews-WanderFemme_Adventures-Boulder_Colorado.html

Image Credits
It’s my photo