We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Martin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.
My journey to becoming a travel advisor was an obvious AH HA moment. 10 years ago, my husband Blake and I started taking one big international trip a year. We both were working 9-5’s, and were given only one week every year to take a trip. Instead of the usual week down at the white sand beaches of Florida, we wanted to shake it up. We had both been out of the country before (him more so than myself, he was a traveling musician for almost 10 years prior!) We started with Ireland, Spain, Iceland, and then onto Asia, Central and then South America. With every trip, we became more and more engrossed in the planning, research and execution of every trip. I became obsessed with travel and trying to find more and more ways to venture out across the world. With every trip, came more and more family and friends inquiring about how we take these adventurous trips. Whether is be the money, the time, or the logistics, I had more people coming to me asking for help planning and tips on how to make the best trip possible. My mission became simple- I wanted to help people replace the fear of travel with fun again! Everyone seemed so intimidated and for me, seeing the world is the most amazing and rewarding experience of my life. I realized I had made the jump from amateur to professional travel planner and Moonrise Travel was born!
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 background and context?
My brand is simple- taking the fear out of travel planning and replacing it with fun! As someone who has been in the working world since 16, I have always found that vacations are such an important mental break that allows everyone to reflect on their life and what they want, as well as re-setting with their friends and loved ones. But another thing I have learned- not all travelers are the same. I have worked with a travel agent when I first started my travel journeys. I appreciated the “bundle deal” pricing, but I learned quickly that I would find myself stuck for a week at a resort. For me, I wanted more. But for others, this is exactly what they want! I feel like my own personal travel experience and expertise has made me a valid resource for people who are trying to book those dream trips.
The research can get overwhelming, so that’s where I step in. I can offer an array of services- Yes, I can book hotel deals. But where I really have been helpful for my clients is the planning and logistics. Every client and their needs are different. Some of my clients have wanted a general breakdown of areas to see, things to do, places to eat, and how to get from A to B. Others have had me breakdown their trip day by day, morning noon and night. Packing suggestions? Train/bus/metro logistics? Hotel/airport pick up? Reputable excursions? I’m your gal! My forte is adventure travel, so whether road tripping in Iceland, Island hopping in Greece, or hiking excursions in Peru, let’s talk!
How did you build your audience on social media?
My audience on social media is small but still growing. Social media is not my forte, but what I have learned is that my audience wants to see real life experiences! Sure, I can share about potential flight deals and new hotels opening up, but for the line of work I’m in, what gets people excited is seeing others traveling the world and experiencing new things that the potential client didn’t think was possible! My advice is this- don’t let that Instagram algorithm get you down! There are so many things at random, so be consistent, know your brand, be true to who you are, and engage with your followers!
Have you ever had to pivot?
The transition from a 9-5 to working for yourself is HUGE. I am actually still working for a small business as their office manager. Yes, I do go into the office full time during the average working week, but I am learning how to transition after hours to not only a remote job, but a job that requires all pro-activity, not reactivity. In many 9-5 jobs, especially mine, I react to the needs of the client (or in my case, patient). So having to learn an entirely new work style where I am 100% in control of how much work I put into this, can be a challenge! But the more effort you put in, the more return you will hopefully feel! But remember, the grass is always greener- I put in plenty of hours after my 9-5 that do not put money in my pocket!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moonrisetravel.com
- Instagram: @moonrise_travel