We were lucky to catch up with Carnita Cox recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carnita , appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe faith, extraordinary customer service, Goals and hard work is all that it takes to be successful.

Faith – Believing in yourself even when there is failures and challenges happening in your business. Knowing that it will get better allows success.

Extraordinary Customer Service – Providing your clients with quality service from the beginning to end. Getting to know your clients on a personal level and not seeing them as just a commission check – building relationship. Advocating for your client when they are not able to do it for themselves.

Goals – Setting short term and long term goals make things achievable. This will allow you to be successful as well.

Hard work – Pushing yourself more than you ever have. Stepping out the box and your comfort zone.

When I first started my travel agency business, I thought I would come out the gate with so many bookings. I just knew family, friends and all of Marylanders wanted my service. I was so so sadly mistaken. That first year I brought in $25,000 in sales, which my goal was $100,000. When I say I was sad, so sad but I keep the faith. Decided to put myself out there start a IG page and Facebook page. I even was vendor for a couple events and really promoted myself. I started getting clients and developed relationships with them and went the extra mile to make sure they had magical experiences and memories. Even when it was new destinations I never traveled to or heard of I didn’t let fears scare me away from assisting my client. I pushed myself and did extra research to be knowledgeable of that destination. Year two my sales was over $100,000, along with getting recognition. My three principles allowed me to be successful and continue to be successful.

I developed my views through living – trial and error.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Carnita Cox your local friendly travel agent. I am a mom of three and a wife to an amazing husband.

My hair stylist got me into this business. Funny enough I was giving people including her advice about Disney cruise, Universal Studios and all-inclusive destinations all the time. My stylist suggested that I go into business and get paid for my services, so I took a leap of faith and been enjoying ever since.

What sets me apart is my dedication and customer service I provide to my clients. I will always be dedicated to providing my clients with memorable moments that will last a lifetime. I help them build personalize vacation for their family for all occasions. Next, My customer service training and skills are phenomenal, that alone sets me apart. I have over 16 years of customers service in corporate America for Fortune 500 companies. Were I would get vigorous customer service training and resolution training. This has helped me significantly to work with my clients and have many referrals and returning clients. Lastly, I treat each client as if they are my family members, nothing but excellence is provided.

The main take away, I want people to know about me is that I love to travel and love helping others travel. Traveling is necessary and it allows you to learn so much about others and their culture. Travel with your children – exposure to other countries is something a history book or textbook can not provide.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I would say the most effective strategy for growing my clientele is building relationships that then provide more clients through word of mouth. I treat each client as if they are my friend or family. I get to know each traveler personally, for example their likes/dislikes and what makes a relaxing easy going trip for them. All trip packages I build for my client – I build based on what the client is requesting and would I stay there myself. Once I have built that relationship with them and made sure their vacation was everything they dreamed from beginning to end. The client at that point refers me to another person and from there my clientele grows.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What has helped me build my reputation within the Travel agent market is my exceptional customer service. I provide state of the art personable customer service. Each one of my clients get my undivided attention. As stated before I get to know each client on a one on one basis. I am very detailed with finding that magical and perfect vacation. I really want to elevate my clients experience dealing with a Travel agent as myself. Most people have dealt with Travel agents and felt after they booked and paid in full their agent is leaving them and done their job… Not me after they book and paid in full, I still am walking hand in hand with them until they return from the trip. My clients have full access to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/staff/carnita
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carnitacoxmvp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MVPCarnita/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carnita-cox-5a44b31a2/
• Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC3KyCPTg

Image Credits
Disney’s photo pass photographers