From Corporate America to Media Moguls in Mexico

"Start by believing in yourself."

That’s Tamanna Bembenek’s advice for anyone thinking about moving to Mexico. "If you’re searching for joy, a change in direction, more personal connections… take the plunge and come to Mexico. You don’t have to figure it all out at once, just start by thinking of it as a new chapter in life."

And she would know. With 110 countries visited between them, Mexico is the country Tamanna, 54, and Travis, 49, kept coming back to, time and time again. The couple chose to start a new chapter in San Miguel de Allende, where their life is less stressful, more balanced, and fundamentally enriching.

Big corporate jobs involving a lot of travel had left them both drained and thinking about where to spend the second half of their lives.

"Mexico’s diversity of experiences, amazing people, wonderful weather, and depth of culture make us feel so young," says Tamanna. Seeking a deeper connection to the country—more than mere travel or great vacations—the couple moved to San Miguel de Allende in 2022. Settling in during the pandemic, they bought Mexico News Daily, building it into a leading source of English-language news in Mexico. It also turned out to be a perfect platform to share their love of their adopted country.

Mexico Behind the Splashy Headlines

"Building Mexico News Daily is exceptionally rewarding."|©Travis Bembenek

Let’s face it, sometimes Mexico gets a bad rap in the news. Okay… a lot of the time. And the country’s headlines make for good clickbait. ("Is it safe?" is the number one question I get asked as IL’s Mexico Correspondent.)

Travis and Tamanna wanted to show that there’s more to this country than what’s sensationalized in the news.

"We’ve found ourselves being defensive about our love for Mexico," they say. "We want people to become educated and smart about the country and to help them make better choices."

Now, they provide a balanced 360-degree view. By covering the good, the bad, and the ugly daily, they aim to inform without bias by separating news from opinions prevalent on social media.

Travis’ love affair with Mexico started during a semester studying in Guadalupe. Over the next 25 years, he continued to visit and work in the country intermittently. "I fell in love with the people, culture, music, history, food, beaches, pyramids—pretty much every aspect of life here." He even married Tamanna in Mexico—the couple wed in Playa del Carmen.

A Return to the Simple Things

Leaving the corporate world to be your own boss may not sound easy, but for Tamanna and Travis, it was the best decision they ever made.

"I was burned out from working endless hours and trying to fit life in between my job and constant travel," says Tamanna. "My hyper-efficient schedule had a price, and I never realized that until I came to Mexico and time slowed down."

Now, there’s more time for the things that had slowly disappeared from Travis and Tamanna’s lives—like time to cook together, invite friends over, and just hang out.

Tamanna reconnected with art and started painting again. There’s also more time to indulge in her "guilty pleasure" of visiting nurseries and buying plants. Incorporating nature, art, literature, and healthy food has given her and Travis the equilibrium they were craving.

"Simple things feel so rich now," Tamanna tells me, "For the first time in a long time, I feel more content, more often."

A supportive community helps. "There’s so much craziness in the world right now, and Mexicans tend to focus on the positive. They’re just happier people. It’s a very contagious thing," says Travis. "I’m learning what it feels like to truly be a part of the community," Tamanna adds. "In San Miguel, people help and support each other."

A Leap of Faith… and Some Challenges Along the Way

Time and time again these world travelers came back to Mexico… until they decided to never leave.|©Travis Bembenek

These days, instead of watching TV, Tamanna enjoys sitting in the town square and watching families dance to Mariachi music or kids play soccer. The simple joys of life, connection, family, and community that are the heart of Mexican culture.

But getting here took courage… and some hard work. Leaving high-powered jobs—and the paycheck that went with them—was daunting.

"Having been in the fast-paced corporate world for many years, adjusting and embracing the slower pace of San Miguel, and the lack of ‘conveniences’ (like Costco and Walmart), took some time," Travis admits. "Now, we don’t miss buying all that extra stuff, and we have more human connections.

"Building Mexico News Daily has had its challenges, too. We’ve felt alone at times, and we’ve invested a significant amount of our own money," Travis says. "But we’re super motivated by what we’re building. The work is important and exceptionally rewarding… and we believe it will eventually pay off financially.

"Meanwhile, we’re able to live on about 50% less than we did in the US. We’ve found our wants and needs are far fewer… and we feel much happier."

A Like-Minded Community

Choosing to settle in San Miguel de Allende was the easy part. As Travis says, "SMA is a very special place. It has this beautiful mix of locals, Mexicans from other parts of the country, and foreigners from around the world."

San Miguel also has a nice blend of like-minded individuals. "In my time here, I’ve met amazing people, including women entrepreneurs of all ages, and they’re all searching for joy… the joy that comes from helping, learning, growing, and giving back," says Tamanna.

"I knew that moving to Mexico would be uncomfortable, and yet transformational, and it has been both of those things for me," she adds. "After each stumble, I’ve felt humbled yet more determined and assured of my path ahead. In my heart, I am absolutely confident we’re on the right track."