6 minute read
Growth Women's Business Network Magazine- December 2019 Issue
Please introduce and tell the readers about yourself.
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Hello, I am Teresa Tidwell-Smith, I claim two places of origin…Washington DC, where I was born and spent many summers and Columbia SC where I was reared and attended District One Schools: graduating from Columbia High School and attended Midlands Technical College. I have two young adult daughters whom I am loving to watch grow into beautiful young ladies.
My career in the travel industry really started as a child reading books that took me outside of my environment. I loved reading in the Book Mobile and visiting the library with friends. I was intrigued by the places, cultures, and events in other cities through the books I read in early years of childhood.
When I was 14 years old, I took my first flight on Piedmont Airlines. I was intrigued by the Flight Attendants and how they made my mother and I feel comfortable and welcomed. It was my mother’s first flight as well. She won the trip as a contestant on the Price is Right when they visited Columbia. At the time, I never dreamed I would become a Flight Attendant. A mere 10 years later I was a Flight Attendant with Piedmont Airlines. I went on the retire with US Airways after 21 1/2 years of flying the friendly skies. I am grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to do something I loved an open so many other avenues for me.
During my career at US Airways, I served on several committees dedicated to implementing new procedures and services that had a direct impact on our passenger’s experience while flying with us. I also received several Above and Beyond Excellence Awards during my tenure. I was selected to train with British Airways to implement their First Class/Main Cabin Service procedures to US Airways London route in 1994.
What is the name of your business and how did you get started?
I am the owner of Meaningful Escapes Boutique Travel Agency, where I get to hone my passion for travel and share it with my clients by creating extraordinary Escapes. Getting started in this side of the travel business took years of finding the right fit for me. The travel industry is vast with many different components, cruising, flights, hotels, events, places, etc. Of course, when your first start you think you can do it all. But the best way is to narrow your focus and decide on a niche market.
My agency has evolved and shifted as I have in my life. I plan escapes that are meaningful, transformative, and peaceful, incorporating wellness, mindfulness, and spirituality. Creating these type of experiences takes more research to produce the right destination, resort, and excursions to fit my client’s needs. Which means I must be knowledgeable of all the areas mentioned and knowing my clients.
I meet with each client or chat with them over the phone as we go through a survey so I learn about them and they can learn about me and how my process works. I gather pertinent information to properly plan for them.
I know you offer travel services to couples, groups, and business retreats. Tell me what is most rewarding about your business? The most rewarding things about my business is when my clients return from their Escape and tell me they had an amazing experience. That sends me over the moon! Or, when I have a first time Solo Traveler share their experience of travel freedom, where their itinerary is solely designed for one. I also love hearing from my Retreat attendees expressing the love of the location, accommodations, and the peaceful and transformative experience that they remember for months after their travel.
It’s important that I meet with my clients preferably face to face when possible. Otherwise we have a lengthy Discover Call. The call gives me an opportunity to learn their likes and dislikes and preferences. I take them through a survey to learn their Travel Persona/ Travel Style…we all have one! Getting this information allows me to create the perfect Escape achieving the type of experience they envisioned and joyful memories for a lifetime.
You work to make your customers travel stress-free. How has that help to grow your business as a Travel Specialists?
Making my clients travel stress-free is always the goal. It starts by crafting the itinerary and partnering with exclusive suppliers that share my values of excellent customer service and phenomenal customer experience as a standard. Meeting with supplier representatives and conducting research on travel companies has placed Meaningful Escapes Boutique Travel Agency as a premier agency within the travel industry. This has helped us grow with a global reach to better assist our clients.
Where can the readers view and book your services at Meaningful Escapes?
The readers can reach us by phone 803-603-5216, email meaningfulescapes@gmail.com, or website meaningfulescapes.com
What advice would you give anyone who want to start their own travel agency?
My advice for someone wanting the join this amazing career would be to first know what type of travel you enjoy. Develop your niche by the things you enjoy, cooking, gardening, etc. Consider where you are in your life, married, single, age, etc. All these things will help you narrow your focus and develop an agency you will enjoy. Consider the type of agency you want. Do you want a multilevel marketing agency, an independent agency, or work for someone already in the business? Do your research before committing to any agency or entity is best.
Tell us some of your greatest accomplishments?
Number one is raising two beautiful, intelligent daughters who I hope one day each will have a major role in my business/businesses.
Another accomplishment was to retire at the age of 45 years old from a career I loved and one that has given me so much.
One of my greatest most recent accomplishment is that I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru last year with an amazing group of people. The hike was for 4 days ending at Machu Picchu. It was a spiritual journey that tested all my mental faculties. I am still getting aha moments from the journey.
I encourage everyone to at least once in a lifetime take a trip that resets the tone in your life. Do something spectacular that will bring an ultimate peace, joy, and gratefulness to your life.
Please share any upcoming conferences or events in 2020 with our readers?
What is next for Meaningful Escapes Boutique Travel Agency, We are planning for an Amazing 2020!
●January 10, 2020 we will host our first Caribbean Night
●Italian Culinary Escape with Chef J and Nate Etheredge scheduled for June 15-23, 2020. We still have slots available
●The Gift…Living Loved Retreat is scheduled for November 4-11, 2020
●I am the Travel Director for In Pursuit of Me founded by Stephanie M Kirkland. ●I plan retreats for IPOM 2 to 3 times per year.
