We recently connected with Olayinka Soyinka and have shared our conversation below.

Olayinka, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Yes, Torches Vacations serves an underserved community, specifically low-income families and individuals who often face barriers to travel.
As the founder of Torches Vacations, I know this experience firsthand. Growing up, my family couldn’t afford a vacation; we viewed travel as a privilege reserved for the wealthy. This perception is a myth, and it’s one of our primary goals to educate people on the importance of taking a vacation and making travel accessible for everyone. Regardless of socioeconomic status, everyone deserves the chance to explore and create lasting memories.

Imagine a single mother named Maria, living in a bustling urban area. Juggling multiple jobs to support her two children, she rarely has the opportunity to take a vacation. The stress of her routine weighs heavily on her, and she dreams of introducing her kids to new experiences outside their neighborhood, but travel feels financially impossible.

This is where Torches Vacations steps in. We recognize that families like Maria’s are not only underserved in terms of travel access but also miss out on enriching experiences that can broaden their horizons. Travel has transformative power; it fosters understanding, provides educational opportunities, and creates lasting memories. For underserved communities, these experiences are vital for personal growth and family bonding. And this is God’s will for us all, As Ecclesiastes 3:13 states, “And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor; it is the gift of God.”

At Torches Vacations, we offer specially designed travel packages that are budget-friendly and cater to the needs of low-income families, ensuring that travel is accessible to everyone. Partnering with cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean has been a dream come true, as they provide excellent deals for our customers.
We also offer flexible payment options, including monthly payment plans, which many of our customers find convenient and beneficial.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I currently work in the financial industry, but I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship. My journey into the travel industry began when my friend, Lara, encouraged me to take a vacation with my family. I started exploring cruise options and discovered that travel was much more affordable than I had initially thought, especially with available payment plans. Our first major trip to Mexico opened my eyes to the possibilities, and soon after, we visited Dubai for Christmas, followed by trips to Jamaica, Cancun, and beyond—all while staying within our budget.
These amazing experiences caught the attention of family and friends, who began asking me to plan their vacations. Their enthusiasm and requests inspired me to launch Torches Vacations (We are the light of the world; let us light up your vacations). With the support of my husband, plus encouragement from my pastor, Sam Adeosun, I turned this passion into a business.

At Torches Vacations, our mission is simple: to enable affordable vacation experiences tailored to individual budgets. We strive to make dream getaways a reality, offering flexible booking options with manageable deposits and extended payment plans.

Now, as we celebrate our first anniversary, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a newcomer in the travel and vacationing industry. We’ve successfully helped many families experience the joy of travel, and we’re grateful to God for our progress. I look forward to many more busy and profitable years ahead.
What sets us apart is our dedication to making travel accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We believe that everyone deserves a memorable vacation, and we are here to light the way to those experiences.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategies for growing our clientele at Torches Vacations have been social media and word of mouth. Our Instagram platform has allowed us to showcase the beauty and excitement of travel in a visually appealing way. We share stunning photos, engaging stories, and travel tips that resonate with our audience. By creating a vibrant online community, we can interact directly with potential clients, answer their questions, and inspire them to consider travel options. Running targeted ads and promotions has also helped us reach a broader audience, drawing in those who are looking for affordable travel options.
Word of Mouth: This has been equally powerful for our growth. When clients experience a memorable vacation, they naturally share their stories with friends and family. We’ve even implemented a referral program that rewards clients for bringing in new customers, further incentivizing them to spread the word about Torches Vacations.
By combining these two strategies, we have not only built a loyal customer base but also created a supportive community that values affordable travel.

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

Funding my business was a crucial step in getting Torches Vacations off the ground. To gather the initial capital needed to start, I had to rely on my personal savings. This decision came from a strong belief in the vision I had for the company and the potential impact we could have on making travel accessible for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.torchesvacations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torchesvacations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553566196453
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TorchesVacations