We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenelle Jones a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jenelle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

This is an interesting question for sure! While I have traveled quite a bit since early ’22, I don’t know that I’ve really taken a vacation since becoming a business owner. Seems fitting how people say, “You can work for someone else 9-5 or for yourself 24/7.”

I feel the business model one has can make it easier or more challenging to really be able to step away. But, it is like having a baby. It’s hard to really step away and not worry. I’ve found that it gets easier with time to some extent, and with good systems in place that help take the load off. Setting realistic boundaries and realizing not everything is a fire are also helpful.

I haven’t gotten this business off the ground so much yet, but I feel like it will be easier to “vacation” with this business than it has been with my other. We’ll see how it goes, but I intend to factor in time for myself to actually be off.

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’ve always been interested in other languages, cultures, and travel. My parents were also adventurous, so I guess it’s in my DNA. I started traveling pretty heavily a few years ago, and it just made sense to move into the travel industry to align more with my passions.

I offer custom trip itineraries and hosted group trips. My services come through the lens of an experienced solo-female traveler who has a focus on sustainable and ethical adventures. I feel that solo ladies and vegans are two groups that have fewer options, which is why most of my group trips will cater to them.

I’m a problem solver by nature, but I’m also realistic. I’m going to tell someone if their goals are too ambitious – like visiting Italy, Spain, and Greece on a 5-day trip. I will help them find more feasible option that they’ll enjoy more. I think my out-of-the box thinking, ability to read people and experience set me apart. I’ve also done a mix of travel styles, which I believe helps me to better relate to more folks.

I’m proud that I’m coming more into my own and sticking to my truth as I get older. I’m also not afraid to say that I’m learning either. This industry is one that’s ever evolving and as my business grows and becomes more established, I will learn what works better for me and my clients. I hope that they’ll see that I genuinely care and want to share my passion for travel. I want to help folks have adventures of a lifetime like I’ve been lucky to have, and to see that it’s possible.

I especially want to make it easier and more accessible for solo ladies and vegans to feel they have a comfortable space in my group trips. I’m aiming to create experiences that include some things that people might not have otherwise considered, and would like to incorporate a give-back component. I believe we should explore the world more like the guests we are in someone else’s homeland.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The irony of someone with a marketing background not being great at marketing their company, am I right? Since I prefer more big picture projects, I tend to fall flat on basic/mundane marketing that I should be doing. However, something you learn in marketing is that word of mouth is still the most trusted for of advertising.

I’d say the same of my other business, it’s all about word of mouth. I could talk about travel all day, I find that telling people I’m well traveled before telling them I’m an agent helps to build trust and rapport much better than them scrolling past an ad. Continued networking, and people sharing my info with their friends and family is my best strategy.

Although, I’m trying to make myself up my social media game. We’ll see, but I hope people don’t hold it against me that my pages are a bit sparse…

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

Like I mentioned before, I think people hearing my stories. Hearing that I am fairly well traveled, that I have planned these adventures for myself – and at times others – and that I have the know how to keep it budget friendly. I became known as the world traveler in my circles before I even started Travel is Hygge, so having a reputation that proceeds me is a strong leg to stand on.

I also try to post about my own experiences and things I’ve learned. Sharing updates for travel as well, like then entry requirements taking place this year for the UK and the EU. Another example, I last posted about how sometimes you need to toss liquids when flying even if you purchased them at the airport after security.

Transparency, honesty, and being relatable go along way in rapport and trust building!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tihygge.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punderingjj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18uu7MCmRw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

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