The multifaceted entrepreneur and creative force redefining design and craftsmanship’s boundaries transforms boutique hospitality through design, technology and coffee.
It is always surreal to learn about founders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who create their own unique niche instead of following the crowd. Maria Ilinca Browne has been redefining the world of experiential and boutique hospitality with her design firm The MIB project, creating her own niche through an innovative blend of design, technology, and coffee.
Maria has revolutionized the hospitality industry, transforming ambitious investors’ properties into extraordinary spaces—from luxury short-term rentals (STRs) to intimate hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Her holistic approach seamlessly combines sophisticated interior design, tech-forward automated operations, and high end coffee programs, helping create effortless side ventures that deliver premium passive income. Her work transcends mere profitability as she crafts personal sanctuaries where clients can blend work, leisure, and luxury into a lifestyle of freedom.
As the founder of The MIB Project, she transforms interiors into immersive experiences. With a unique background in biomechanics, ergonomics, and financial technology, Maria brings analytical precision to her artistry, ensuring her projects harmonize functionality with emotion.
Beyond design, her passion for connection and culture inspired her to establish Soul Café, a boutique coffee roasting company that beautifully blends her love for storytelling and experience with her commitment to community.
Drawing motivation from achieving financial freedom for her family and addressing the challenges of traveling with four kids, she ventured into the boutique hospitality industry and has since never looked back. Her expertise in balancing beautiful experiences with solid investment returns has allowed her to develop successful hospitality ventures, build an integrated ecosystem, and transform properties into high-performing destinations.
Her first project was a family-centric property that simultaneously eliminated vacation planning stress and generated side income. This later evolved into a comprehensive hospitality model that resonates with families seeking luxury experiences without compromising practicality.
The defining moment in Maria’s career came when she bridged her financial technology expertise with her hospitality aspirations. She observed investors struggling to balance their properties’ aesthetic and operational aspects—trying to create beautiful spaces that also made financial sense. This industry fragmentation, combined with her understanding of both financial markets and family needs, inspired her to develop an integrated approach.
Maria harnessed technology to automate routine aspects of property management—from pricing strategies to market analysis—while preserving the human touch that makes hospitality special. Her inspiration comes from the transformative power of well-designed hospitality spaces.
She says that watching investors discover they can create exceptional guest experiences while building a lifestyle that blends work, leisure, and luxury inspires her to innovate. Her passion also lies in the potential of technology to enhance rather than replace the human element in hospitality.
What helps Maria stand unique in the industry is “Our comprehensive understanding of both the financial and experiential aspects of boutique hospitality. We thrive by seamlessly integrating all elements: sophisticated design, premium amenities like our signature coffee programs, and tech-forward operations that leverage AI and automation intelligently. Our approach is about finding the perfect balance—using technology to handle routine tasks while preserving the human touch that makes each space special.”
With her distinctive brand, The MIB Project, Maria Ilinca Browne is driven by the mission to revolutionize boutique hospitality by making exceptional experience-rich spaces both an accessible dream and financially attainable for ambitious investors. She envisions a future where owning and operating premium hospitality venues doesn’t mean sacrificing personal freedom or financial returns.
Maria Ilinca Browne is more than just a hospitality innovator; she is a creative force, setting new standards in the world of design and craftsmanship.
