We were lucky to catch up with Chantell Garrett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chantell , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Since I was just five months old, the passion for travel has been ingrained within me. As a youngster, my summers were spent visiting relatives across states like Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. From being the escorted child with wings on the front seat of the plane to exploring beaches, amusement parks, festivals, and national parks during family stays, travel has always been a significant part of my life. It ignited a realization that the world was meant to be explored, and I was destined to be the explorer.
This love for travel continued into college, where I meticulously planned road trips to destinations like Houston, TX, and Destin, FL, and later, international adventures to places like South Korea, Napa Valley, and even coordinating complex multi-stop cruises to Italy, Spain, and France for friends. What began as a hobby of planning trips and creating lasting memories through laughter and photographs gradually evolved into my true calling.
In 2021, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, a sorority sister approached me about venturing into the travel agency business. Despite initially viewing it as just a hobby rather than a lucrative opportunity, her persistent encouragement led me to launch my own travel business, Always On The Go Travel Planning and Concierge, LLC.
Always On The Go Travel Planning and Concierge, LLC. is a comprehensive travel agency specializing in group, corporate, and international travel. We are committed to providing our clients with a seamless and stress-free planning process, from ideation to their safe return home. Our approach involves attentive listening to our clients’ excitement about their destination, understanding their desired experiences, and curating uniquely tailored journeys that leave a lasting impression.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Chantell M. Garrett, previously a corporate powerhouse with over two decades of expertise spanning Human Resources, Community Development, Nonprofit Leadership, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, has ventured into a new realm as a Travelpreneur. Now serving as the Chief Wanderlust of Always On The Go Travel Planning and Concierge, LLC, she fulfills her passion for helping others realize their travel dreams. Leveraging her extensive and varied background, Chantell delivers top-tier professional expertise to her clients, ensuring unparalleled service and unforgettable experiences. Always On The Go Travel Planning and Concierge, LLC is a comprehensive travel agency offering a range of services, including individual and group travel, corporate travel arrangements, itinerary management, and specialized expertise in international travel.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The primary source for new clients for my travel business has been referrals. By consistently delivering excellent customer service, timely responses, and sharing key details, we’ve instilled confidence in our existing clients to refer their networks. It’s clear that prioritizing customer service, responsiveness, and personal touches such as handwritten thank-you notes can truly set a business apart. Being attentive to clients not only fosters loyalty but also leads to long-term success.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
With over 20 years in Corporate America, transitioning to entrepreneurship presented both ease and challenges. Here are key lessons I’ve learned:
Self-reliance: In the corporate world, reliance on established processes and teams is common. However, as an entrepreneur, I quickly realized the need for self-reliance. Decision-making, problem-solving, and execution often rest solely on me, particularly in the early stages of my venture.
Risk-taking: Entrepreneurship inherently involves risk. Whether financial, personal, or professional, learning to assess and manage risks effectively, while embracing calculated risks, is crucial for growth and innovation.
Time management: With full control over my schedule as an entrepreneur, mastering time management became imperative. Prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and maintaining work-life balance are essential for long-term success.
Continuous learning: Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning journey. Staying abreast of industry trends, market changes, new technologies, and business strategies is vital for competitiveness and business evolution.
Passion and purpose: Transitioning to entrepreneurship often involves rediscovering passion and purpose. Building a business around genuine interests provides the motivation needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Overall, the transition to entrepreneurship is transformative, involving embracing new roles, responsibilities, and learning experiences. By embracing these lessons and continuously adapting and growing, entrepreneurs can navigate challenges and reap the rewards of their ventures.
Contact Info:
- Website: aotgtravels.com
- Instagram: @alwaysonthegotravels / @channiemo.on.the.go
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089977066930
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellgarrett/?trk=public-profile-join-page
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlwaysOnTheGoTravel
- Other: Always On The Go Travel Planning and Concierge, LLC. is a full service travel agency specializing in group, corporate and international travel. AOTG works to create a seamless and stress free planning process for our clients by supporting the trip for ideation to the moment they arrive safely back a their home destination. One of the things we do is ensure we listen to our clients excitement about traveling to the destination, what they want to experience, who they want to feel on the trip and look to curate a uniquely designed experience for them that will be memorable.
Image Credits
Candy Mion Photography