Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise DiUbaldi.
Hi Denise, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in several quaint towns across Maine — the kind you’d find in a Stephen King novel (before things take a dark turn). They were beautiful little communities, but by the time I was 17 and graduating high school, I was itching to see the world — and ready to escape another brutally cold winter. Picture subzero winds cutting through the thickest jacket like razor blades. I quickly realized I wasn’t built for that kind of chill!
I set my sights on a college town with warmer weather and plenty of character. I had several university options, but I’m so thankful that life led me to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I attended UNC Charlotte. I fell in love with the area — and with a guy I met my junior year. Long story short, we graduated, got married, settled here, and raised two wonderful children. Charlotte has been home for over twenty years now.
One of the greatest blessings of that time was meeting five incredible women my freshman year — my soul sisters. We’ve shared life’s ups and downs, and their friendship has been a constant source of support throughout my marriage and motherhood. When they say it takes a village, they aren’t kidding.
I graduated with a major in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice — a combination that, looking back, taught me a lot about people, communication, and problem-solving, which all became incredibly useful in my journey as a travel professional later on.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road — but it’s been a meaningful one. After college, I was the primary breadwinner, working in sales. When my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, we made the decision that I would stay home. We didn’t have family nearby, and we both wanted to be very present for our children in those early years. It was a deeply personal choice and one I know not every family has the option to make, but it was the right one for us.
Becoming a one-income household came with sacrifices, so I looked for flexible ways to contribute financially while still being there for my kids. That led me into a series of side ventures — from Tupperware and Pampered Chef to buying enough Thirty-One products that I probably should’ve just joined the company for the discount! Each experience taught me a little more about sales, service, and connecting with people — skills that eventually came full circle in my travel career.
Once my kids were school-aged, I became a substitute teacher so I could stay close to them and have summers off together. That experience gave me a whole new level of respect for educators — it’s not a job for the faint of heart, and teachers absolutely deserve more recognition and compensation for what they do.
And of course, like many parents, the pandemic brought a whole new set of challenges. Overnight, we all became teachers, tech support, and emotional counselors as our kids tried to learn from home. It was chaotic and exhausting at times, but it also deepened my empathy and awareness of the mental health struggles kids faced during that period — things like social anxiety, depression, and attention issues became very real for so many families. It’s something I still think about often and hope we continue to learn from as a community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After surviving the teenage years and the chaos of Covid, my kids were nearing graduation, and I began reflecting on what I wanted next for myself as an upcoming empty nester — well, almost empty, since our spoiled 10-year-old Malshi, Riley, still rules the house. The kids say he’s the “baby of the family,” and honestly, they’re not wrong. I have over three thousand pictures of him on my iPhone. and he is the highlight of our annual family photo calendar.
I started Red Birds Travel a few years ago as a flexible work-from-home business that also fulfilled my love for planning and travel. In reality, I had been a travel agent for over 20 years — organizing family vacations, events, and weddings — I just hadn’t been getting paid for it!
The name Red Birds Travel is deeply personal. I created it in honor of my late mother, who I lost to cancer on my birthday in 2005. Losing her so suddenly taught me that we are never promised tomorrow — life can change in an instant. It’s not pessimism; it’s a reminder to be present, to embrace opportunities, and to live fully. That outlook drives how I approach travel — both for myself and for the clients I help plan unforgettable experiences.
As a travel agent, I can book anything: all-inclusive resorts, cruises, national parks, family reunions, destination weddings, honeymoons, rail journeys, and sporting events — if you can dream it, I can create it! But one area I’ve become especially passionate about is pet-friendly travel, since Riley has become quite the globetrotter himself. He’s been on road trips across the country, pontoon rides, private dolphin charters, and even ferry adventures. Anytime I pull out my suitcase, he jumps right in — ready for his next adventure.
Another proud accomplishment is launching the ‘Suitcase Divas Podcast’ in 2023 — a show that explores how travel intertwines with life’s journey. My co-host and I share travel tips, personal stories, and interview fascinating guests — from bestselling authors and musicians to female-owned business founders and adventurers. Our motto is “Let’s Go There!”, because travel is not just about where you go, but who you become along the way.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I really love this part of North Carolina — it truly has the best of everything. We get all four seasons, so there’s always something to do outside. We’re nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic beaches to the east, which means in just a couple of hours you can go from hiking trails and waterfalls to sand between your toes.
I love how easy it is to plan little getaways — apple picking in the fall, visiting wineries, “tree peeping” in the mountains, or relaxing at the beach. It’s like living in the middle of the best of both worlds. I also make it a point to keep exploring beyond our state lines — I recently trekked across the country with my college besties for a bucket-list trip to Napa Valley/Sonoma, and it was absolutely amazing. Experiences like this remind me why I love helping others plan their own adventures.
If I had to pick something I like least, I’d probably say the traffic — if you’ve ever listened to the podcast, you know I’m not a fan of driving. I much prefer being the “passenger princess” … we all have our strengths! I can remind you the exit is coming up, offer a Twizzler or a bevvy, and I’m especially skilled at taking plenty of pictures on vacation. My friends will tell you I’m pleasantly insistent about group photos. I have thousands of photos from beautiful trips around the world to prove it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://redbirdstravel.com/ https://suitcasedivas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbirdstravel / https://www.instagram.com/suitcasedivas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redbirdstravel / https://www.facebook.com/suitcasedivaspodcast
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-diubaldi-41846859/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuitcaseDivas
- Other: https://linktr.ee/redbirdstravel / https://linktr.ee/suitcasedivas
