Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki McGregory. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nikki , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.
Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Nikki, that lived-in inner-city Atlanta, Georgia. Her middle school was offering two trips. Option 1 take the bus to Washington, DC and New York City. Option 2 fly to Acapulco, Mexico. Although, I didn’t know what it meant. I was already a lil bougie, so of course I wanted to go to Mexico, which of course was more expensive. But my mom made it happen for me and it changed my life! Niksperiencing different people, culture, language and food was amazing to me, and I wanted to see more of it. So, when I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy a week later to see the world. At that point, I didn’t even realize we were in a war! I just knew I was getting out of Atlanta, I was going to see the world on someone else’s dime (US Government) and retire at 38 years old. Check, check and check. Even before I was a Travel Agency Owner, I was a Travel Planner for my family and friends just wasn’t getting paid for it. The Navy set me up for success because I was a Quartermaster which dealt with planning briefs about various ports. Later in my Career I became a Navy Career Counselor which basically meant I counseled sailors on their career paths. Now I’m counseling them making memories for themselves with their family and friends.
After I retired from the Navy in 2011, I was determined not to work for anyone ever again, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. My girlfriends and I were walking around a trail and I said, you know what? I’m going to start my Travel Agency. I reached out to a friend of mine that was a Travel Agent and she introduced me to her host. Met with her, made a great connection. Boom, Let’s Nik it. The first name I chose was Live in the Moment Travel, the agency owner said it was too long and would easily get lost in the Google-sphere. My word. Not hers. So, my girlfriends and I were walking around the trail again. I said I want to do a play on my name…so we kicked ideas around a bit and came up with Nik of Time Travel. And wow…something as simple as changing the name…changed the course of my business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
What sets me apart from others is that I am not in competition with anyone. Travel is a billion dollar industry and I couldn’t take it all even if I tried. Hell, I don’t even want it all. I have a core group of Travel Agent Gurlfriends that I collaborate with. We all are strong Agency Owners, and we all have our weak areas cause not one knows everything. That’s when we pull each other up to the next level. We are all trying to eat so why not eat at the same table.
One thing about me…tah, I love ME and I love Nik of Time Travel. We are intertwined, That’s why the business name is so important. If you don’t remember Nik of Time, you might remember my name. If you don’t remember Nikki McGregory, you might remember Nik of Time. I am considered one of the best branding people in my area. You would be hard pressed not to see me with something with my name on it. Even the night gown I have on as I type this has my brand on it. I figured Gucci isn’t paying me and Louis Vuitton isn’t paying me. So why should their names be on my back more than my own? I’m my own biggest fan and I’m my OWN walking billboard. If I don’t promote Nik, who will?
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Always try to remain calm in any situation. – Be nice to hotel staff and then things get done
-keep your charging brick and cord with you.
My friends and I were going to the top of Snowmass Mountain for a few minutes to take pictures before I headed to the airport. Welp…we got stuck in the Gondola for about 30-40 mins. Can you imagine being stuck in the air in a little box and you have no way to get out. So we are just sitting there, waiting on somebody to say something on the intercom. Meanwhile I’m looking out the window to see how far I’d have jump down and probably slide down this whole mountain. This dude was about to hyperventilate which would have set off a chain reactions of panic attacks. So, I look up the phone number and call customer service. “Oh, we had to stop because of the wind “…well yall aren’t gonna say anything over the intercom…”no, cause its not an emergency”…da fuq? So we are just sitting there swaying in the wind, ppl beneath us justa skiing. Not paying us any attention. When I tell you, when that thang started to move…Haven’t felt that relieved in a long time.
So we finally get to the top. They give us $25.00 gift cards…apparently this is a usual occurrence since you have the gift cards already printed. So I’m like ok, I know I’ve missed my flight. Let me make some arrangements. I’m holding a table for my friends cause its super crowded while they get their food. Just making conversation with the guy sitting at the end of the table since it held 8. Told him my plight. He was like…”oh, you should be able to make your flight”. So I run and tell my friends I gotta go.
Phone was at 100% when I left the hotel but I have since learned that in the mountains and high altitudes your charge goes down really fast. Phone was on like 20% Get back on this Gondola, that I JUST got off of cause the only other way down is to ski. Call my hotel. “Happy Nik Day, Ben, can you have my luggage delivered to the airport. Got stuck in a Gondola and I’m about to miss my flight” “No, problem Mrs. Nikki, just let us know when you are on your way to the airport” (Talkm bout service)
Order an Uber…phone is on 15%.
Get to the bottom…I realize…I have left my freaking purse in my friend’s hotel room. And where is she? At the top of Snowmass Mountain where I just left! So I try to call her but she isn’t picking up. So I get BACK on the Gondola. Cancel my Uber, Call Ben at the hotel while simultaneously chatting with AA. …I’m not gonna make my flight. See if I can get a room for the night.
AA- “My phone is on 5%…Im giving you permission to change my flight until tomorrow. Same flights”
PHONE DIED MID AIR. So I’m in this box…by myself with no comms.
Get to the top…inside the Snowmass Mountain Clubhouse there is no reception that’s why she didn’t answer the phone. And guess what, they are all Apple users…so they had bricks but no cords. So had to rent a charger. Which further let’s me know that it is common place for the charges to run out quickly. That was an ordeal in itself. A whole process. Finally get a charge.
Called the hotel. “Yes, Mrs. Nikki. We have you a room for the night at your current rate. There will be transportation to pick you up at in 30 mins to bring you back to the hotel” …so got BACK on the Gondola.
Check the AA Chat- Flights had been changed and because of my status, didn’t have to pay a fare difference.
I’m moreso proud of my GROWTH. Cause usually I would freak out in these situations. But I held it together.
Extra night in Aspen. Who can be mad at that!
Whoop Whoop!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new Time Travelers has always been word of mouth. I am very down to earth, approachable, I travel well, and I have been told that I am funny. People seem to love me. Even people that don’t book with me, refer people to me. They already know my motto. “When you are ready to book, you know where to look”. If you are just browsing, keep it pushing. Go online to Expedia. Google has been great to me as well. But nothing like word of mouth. They also know that I am going to do the very best I can to make their Niksperience as memorable as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikoftimetravelagency.com
- Instagram: Nik of Time Travel
- Facebook: Nik of Time Travel
- Youtube: Nik of Time Travel
- Yelp: Nik of Time Travel
- Other: www.aniktedtotravel. com