Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Garza.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At 14 years old, I began selling newspapers door to door, I grew up as a shy girl and It really took me out of my comfort zone. This was the first time that I encountered situations where I had to think on my feet and that experience really gave me the confidence to begin working in retail where I had the opportunity to work for big named retailers at the time. I then stepped away from that and I began selling door to door again; at just 18 years old I was promoted to a trainer by my company CEO and I started hiring employees while I was working towards having my own office. I relocated and I started working in a call center when I was 18 years old. My interview process was extremely unique and I was actually given the challenge to sell a pen to the interviewer, I passed my interview and while working there I was awarded the highest sales award which was a great accomplishment to add to my career. At 22 year old, I became a cosmetologist because I always had a passion for hair, I had a rough start in cosmetology school and my cosmetology instructor actually passed away; at this time Covid also took a big hit to salons so my school shut down but I keep working towards my goals and I eventually passed my exam and earned my license. After getting my cosmetology license, I came across someone advertising travel and telling me about how you can make money traveling. My first time going on a trip was when I was only 5 years old to Disney World, at 10 years old, I traveled with my mother and brother to Mexico and spent the summer there. Then I began regularly going places like Louisiana and seeing the street formers and all the great restaurants while I was there I even saw NCIS being filmed a couple of feet away. I experienced North and South Carolina with a youth group at a getaway camp and the greenery up north was amazing to see. Hiking up thousands of feet and seeing scenery new to me was great. Going on cruises are my favorite as well I traveled overseas to many destinations and not too long after, I then really tapped into my love for travel when I saw there was a great opportunity that wasn’t really spoken about with lots of potential for any and everyone from single travelers, weddings, family, groups, resorts, cruises, camping and more. It was mind-opening how there were people yearning to travel but didn’t know where to begin and me knowing that There is a whole world for us to see and so much that we have yet to experience, to see other cultures and really explore life and our earth. Traveling is so healthy for the heart and I love helping people plan trips while being a part of a purpose that is able to change lives. I come from a family of travelers and I want to bring the joy of traveling to others who are waiting for their moment like all my life I was waiting for mine.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Experiencing travel wasn’t hard to do and being exposed to so many different places felt like second nature. However, I had to come to an Understanding that having a love for travel was not going to be enough to be able to have a successful travel business I had to learn everything and anything where I could about marketing, finding my niche, being accountable for my goals and working at it every single day. I had to learn that my time is valuable and I had to find people that were serious about travel and were interested in what I’m doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Booked Getaways. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business specializes in everything for everyone. If you want to take 30 people with you on a Costa Rica getaway for a wedding by all means go ahead, If you want to backpack solo in Europe in Amsterdam, we can make that happen. We not only advise you on your trips but we want you to be in as much or little control of your trip as you would like. We are 24/7; whenever you need us, we are there. We offer so much from Cruises, Flights, Hotels, Resorts like Disney and Universal Studios, Game Tickets and all entertainment whether you’re looking for fun things to do around your destination or you’re looking for local events and we have car rental to match so you can always have a ride to and from your getaway. We are ethnic woman-owned and we are not brick and mortar we are an online business so anyone can find us from anywhere. I am a hairstylist so If I’m booking a wedding or any special event trips, there are options for our guests to have both services in one!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone wanting to start their own travel business is to always have a plan, having a plan is like having a road map you must know where you’re going from where you are. Having goals as well weekly helps you stay on track and If you feel like you are the only one in your family starting a business and have a dream no one else can see keep going because you will be so glad you did.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Jonathan and Emily Garza
