We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alena Warfield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alena below.
Alena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a client that you appreciate them?
I occasionally have business owners reach out looking to plan “thank you trips” as a way to show appreciation to their clients. I think this is such a thoughtful gesture—it not only demonstrates genuine gratitude but also supports another small business in the process.
Personally, I believe small touches make a big impact. After each destination wedding, I send handwritten thank-you notes to my couples to express my appreciation for trusting me with their special day. I also like to follow up with a friendly anniversary email to celebrate their first year of marriage and remind them that I’m here whenever they’re ready to plan their next adventure.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been a travel advisor with Vincent Vacations for roughly seven years, and in that time, I’ve had the pleasure of helping countless clients create unforgettable journeys and even some lovely destination weddings.
I focus on crafting custom, authentic trips that truly reflect each traveler’s vision. Attention to detail is a big part of what I do—I love making sure every piece of a trip fits together seamlessly. My goal is always to make the entire process effortless for my clients, so all they have to do is relax and enjoy the experience.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I first started planning vacations for others, my natural instinct was to approach each trip based on my own budget and travel preferences. During a training session, my mentor gave me a piece of advice that completely changed my perspective: “Don’t shop out of your own pocket.” That reminder taught me an important lesson—travel planning isn’t about what I would do; it’s about understanding what my clients want.
I realized that I wasn’t fully listening to my clients’ priorities and values. Just because I might not spend extra on certain aspects of travel doesn’t mean others feel the same way. Since then, I’ve made it a point to truly listen during client conversations, asking detailed questions to understand their preferences and expectations. That shift not only helped me better meet their needs but also taught me how to find the right opportunities to enhance their trips!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Encouraging clients to share my information with their friends allows me to naturally expand my network and reach new travelers. By confidently sharing my expertise and joining conversations about travel, I build trust as a knowledgeable professional while strengthening my name recognition within the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vincentvacations.com/agents/alenawarfield/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelingwithalena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelingwithAlena
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alena-warfield-3009668b/
