Goan couple’s travel startup creates livelihoods for over 100 local families
Panaji: Goa-based Maria Victor and Murali Shankaran have turned their love for travel into ‘Make It Happen,’ an experiential travel company that now supports more than 100 local communities across India with over 50 immersive journeys.
The venture began as personal journeys and grew into community impact. Today, Make It Happen works with families and local experts to design experiences that bring travelers closer to culture, craft, food, and nature while creating steady income for hosts.
“I have always worked somewhere or the other, doing events, bartending, anything that came my way. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I found myself at a standstill, just trying to figure things out,” recalls Pawan Gorantla, who later found new direction through the platform. “At the time, I had no idea that this period of uncertainty would take me in an entirely new direction.”
For Maria Victor, the search began earlier. In her early 30s, she had already built what most would describe as a stable and successful corporate career. Choosing a different path, she and Murali built Make It Happen to link responsible travel with local livelihoods.
By curating small-group experiences and training community members as hosts and storytellers, the couple has helped families turn traditional knowledge into sustainable work. The model connects visitors with authentic Goan and Indian experiences while ensuring the economic benefits stay within local communities.
