We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Imani Elie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Imank below.

Imani, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

Sometimes I wish I started my business sooner and sometimes I am okay with how everything has transpired. I say this because I started my first business in December of 2016. At this time I was focused and made my businesses’s growth a priority. If I would have began before 2016, I would have acquired more experience and retained more seed funds. Lastly, I would have been a leader in the retail industry of my business(selling luggage and travel accessories). On the contrary, I say I am okay with the way life has transpired because I’ve learned from negative and positive experiences. Experiences that elevated my business and my level of service provided to customers.

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.

My name is Imani Elie. I’m an honorably-discharged Navy veteran. During that time I acquired a nursing, EMT, radiology, and dental assisting education. All while traveling the world. Some may think that’s what inspired my to become a travel agent. But it was pure passion from childhood. And wanting to allow everyone the opportunity to understand they can’t travel anywhere and experience anything. Just create a budget.

Moreover, I am a previous intern of the Michigan House of Representatives. Where I served directly in hospitality and events immediately concluding my graduation in Hospitality Management from Career Technical Institute in Washington, D.C. I’ve has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for 6 years(going into 7 December 2023). In my free time, she loves spending time with her family, volunteering to help the community, donating free time to violence prevention, and traveling around the world.

Therefore, I would also like to explain that I am the CEO of this full-service hospitality company. A company that creates inclusive travel packages and experience at a lower rate, globally. Locally, I manage several bookings and events for private boat charters. We contact two travel agents currently. Detroit Travel Company from event planning, event coordinating, event hosting, travel planning, group travel solutions, and luxury budget travel solutions. As an added benefit, we also offer retail luggage and travel accessories needed to complete travel needs, or fashionable wants.

At The Detroit Travel Company, we believe that travel has the power to transform lives. That’s why we are committed to creating meaningful and authentic travel experiences that connect our clients with the world and each other. The Detroit Travel Company was first established in Virginia as “Travelista Travel LLC” in December, 2016. From marketing to word of mouth, The Detroit Travel Company has been the Limited Liability Company behind the Travelista brand’s financial success.
Therefore, moving forward it was decided to put our business name on the forefront, and allow our brand to be culprit behind our major retail travel accessories success since 2017. Although, Travelista is a lifestyle brand for all feminine and flamboyant luxury travel experiences. We are allowing “DTC” to now offer travel, hospitality, concierge, and retail services. While providing educational travel courses, small-business financial resources, funding opportunities, business startup guides, and how to create legitimate passive income in travel and hospitality. Detroit Travel Company offers a one-of-a-kind Destination Event Planning Service. Encouraging many to think outside of the box when creating life-long celebratory moments worldwide! Ensuring that anyone and everyone may feel represented and benefit economically by the melting-pot that is forever growing the new City of Detroit!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

My favorite marketing story is the free marketing story. This is a free marketing story because I paid zero dollars November 2022, for the opportunity to showcase and advertise my brand in the southeastern region of Michigan. In November 2022, I was asked to join Emmy Award winning FOX 2 News Detroit to interview my black-owned business during a special noon-time segment called “The Noon”. It was during this time, Maurielle Lue(journalist/anchor) interviewed and showcased Detroit Travel Company retail products and accessories, I spoke about our services, and location.
Unbeknownst to me, upon concluding the interview and making it back home for the day. We had 18 orders from all over Michigan. From Detroit, to Lansing, to Harsens Island, to more. This free opportunity garnered, more customers, free advertising, and spread the word about of services. From the links posted by the news station alone. Many customer say they find us on google from that interview.
Overall, I felt proud, overwhelmed with gratefulness, and determined to keep moving toward more opportunities to draw more customers.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The initial funding for my business came from money I saved from my 2014 deployment during active duty service in the Navy. It was at this time in 2016, I purchased an online travel agent course, and a global studies class. This class included geographical studies, global issues, and more. I also paid for access and memberships to many travel wholesalers and cruise line companies. I then took remaining investment funds and created my own style of customer passport covers to offer to customers who successfully book travel arrangements.
Moving forward, in 2022, took income from VA compensation(disabled veteran) and international investments from a partner in Belize. This was to acquire mass inventory in retail products, pay contractors, and hire a media team.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DetroitTravelCo.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/detroittravel.co?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDetroitTravelCompany?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/detroit-travel-company/

Image Credits
Image Credits: BBVISUALSX Photographer: DJ https://instagram.com/bbvisualsx?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==