This tech CEO is using travel rewards to build stronger teams — and it's working

Business Insider

05-05-2025

The CEO of a tech-focused marketing agency hosts regular retreats to strengthen team culture and spark ideas.
Capital One Venture X Business card helps cover travel costs through rewards.
Their trips mix strategy and fun, with past getaways including Puerto Rico and Maine.
Lisa Larson-Kelley believes strong team relationships are the foundation for meaningful collaboration and bold ideas. As CEO and founder of Quantious, a tech-focused marketing agency, she brings her remote team together every nine months for exciting retreats.
Most recently, employees traded their home offices for the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico for team building, where they snorkeled off a catamaran, kayaked through a bioluminescent bay, and bonded in poolside cabanas.
Larson-Kelley made it all happen by using her Capital One Venture X Business card to offset travel costs — turning routine business expenses into strategic investments in culture, connection, and creativity.
Retreats fuel culture and collaboration
"Camp Quantious," as her team calls these getaways, boasts a history of memorable destinations. Recent trips have taken them to the coast of Maine, the picturesque Hudson Valley, and the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Now, Larson-Kelley has her sights set on the West Coast for her next company retreat. "With every destination," she said, "we look for a place where adventure, reflection, and team bonding can thrive side by side — continuing the momentum we've built from previous retreats."
Larson-Kelley credits her company's strong culture to the team trips they've prioritized over the years — energizing "workcations" that fuel in-person brainstorming, authentic connection, and deeper collaboration. These getaways go beyond strategy sessions; they embody Quantious' core values by fostering meaningful relationships, sparking fresh ideas, strengthening team alignment, and supporting local communities. Team members return refreshed, reconnected, and ready to deliver work that reflects the strength of those bonds.
Making the most of business travel rewards
"Capital One leaves no stone unturned when thinking of everything a traveler could want or need," Larson-Kelley said. In addition to the quantity of rewards she earns, she credits the ease of booking her team's travel, comprehensive travel protection, premium lounge access, and the flexibility to transfer miles as reasons she has enjoyed the Capital One Venture X Business card so much.
Larson-Kelley puts her significant savings to good use, making each team getaway feel extra special. After Quantious' internal events specialists, Katie Brown and Maggie Johnston, booked through Capital One Travel for their trip to Puerto Rico earlier this year, they cashed in their remaining rewards to surprise attendees with goody bags filled with travel essentials and gifts from local Puerto Rican artists and businesses. Fresh guava cookies quickly became a team favorite.
For Larson-Kelley, the Capital One Venture X Business card offers a simple way to manage company spending while earning travel perks. She advises fellow business owners to streamline finances by using a single business card and maximizing its rewards. To stay organized, she also recommends automating payments for recurring expenses.
Finally, Larson-Kelley encourages business owners to capitalize on opportunities to earn more points. "You can reinvest these in countless ways to benefit your business and employees," she said.
Benefits of the Capital One Venture X Business
For business owners like Larson-Kelley, the Capital One Venture X Business card is a powerful tool for building a bright company future. As she put it, "Capital One helps turn those dreams into reality and makes every part of the journey that much smoother."
With your own Capital One Venture X Business card, you'll enjoy the security and versatility of a trusted financial partner while maximizing travel rewards to empower your team's journey.
Venture X Business is a pay-in-full charge card with big purchasing power so you can spend more and earn more rewards. With your card, your businesses will enjoy unmatched flexibility, savings, and unique travel perks:
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.
Receive a credit of up to 10,000 bonus miles each year.
When booking through Capital One Travel, earn 5X on flights, 10X on hotels and rental cars, plus an annual $300 credit.
Redeem miles on flights, hotels, rentals, and more — with no restrictions or blackout dates.
Enjoy luxury benefits with access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide and credits for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
Skip foreign transaction fees, benefit from $0 fraud liability, and secure your payments with virtual card numbers.
Customize employee spending limits, track transactions, and earn rewards through free employee cards.
Plus, for a limited time, new cardholders can earn up to 350,000 bonus miles in their first six months.
Start earning ASAP
Larson-Kelley is already planning to put her rewards toward Quantious' next amazing getaway. "There's no need to feel like we're penny pinchers," she said. "The rewards we've earned by investing in this trip are helping us fuel the next."
Rick Esposito
Quantious has seen firsthand that investing in its team through travel has paid significant dividends, strengthening company culture, inviting creativity, and driving success.
If you're a business owner looking to forge team connections, boost innovation, and create lasting memories, the Venture X Business card could be your key to making it happen.
This post was created by Insider Studios with Capital One.