
What Loss and Grief Teaches You About Building a Life That Actually Fulfills You with Founder of TROBBU Collection
From What Fulfills You? by Emily Elizabeth Duong
April 28, 2026 · 54 min · Episode 380
About this episode
Elías Barbosa discusses how loss and grief shaped his journey to create the TROBBU hospitality collection.
#380: Elías Barbosa is the Founder of TROBBU , a new hospitality boutique collection. His father owned a construction company while he was growing up and he took over at the age of 17 due to his dad's sudden passing. While working at his dad’s company for more than 15 years helping build hotels for brands such as Hyatt and Iberostar, he noticed a gap in the luxury travel and real estate markets and his dream became to launch his own hotel company. TROBBU was introduced to the world in 2024. The name TROBBU comes from the word tribe to reflect the company's commitment to creating meaningful connections between people and providing a sense of belonging which we all desperately need! TROBBU opened its first property in Tulum in February 2025, and will be opening in Los Cabos, Madrid, San Miguel de Allende, Mérida Yucatán and Mahahual Riviera within the next two years. TROBBU is planning to expand extensively within Europe within the next five years. What you will learn: The truth about navigating grief and the loss of a parent How to not lose sight of your own purpose and dreams, even in the midst of grief Importance of staying patient with the timeline meant for you Creating…
People in this episode
Host: Emily Elizabeth Duong
Guest: Elías Barbosa
Topics covered
- grief
- loss
- purpose
- dreams
- hospitality
- luxury travel
- real estate
Keywords
- grief
- loss of a parent
- TROBBU
- luxury travel
- hotel company
- purpose
- boundaries
- meaningful connections
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: TROBBU, Hyatt, Iberostar
Places: Tulum, Los Cabos, Madrid, San Miguel de Allende, Mérida Yucatán, Mahahual Riviera
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