Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sonia Singh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sonia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

Let me start by explaining that although I am a business owner and proud of starting Yatri, I am also still a management consultant and am juggling my consulting career while growing my travel planning business. Throughout my career post-college, I’ve dedicated myself to the field of management consulting, starting as an analyst and progressing to the role of Managing Director. In this capacity, my duties encompass a broad spectrum—from selling consulting projects and overseeing teams across various regions to nurturing emerging consulting leaders and identifying emerging market needs. A pivotal aspect of my success in fostering strong client relationships and securing work lies in my proactive approach to understanding and addressing their needs even before they articulate them.

Perfecting this skill set has been a culmination of years of experience. It commences with a profound comprehension of the services and solutions offered by oneself or one’s business, coupled with the ability to eloquently convey these concepts verbally and in written form, even in situations where exhaustive details might not be readily available. Engaging with prospects or clients involves a deliberate emphasis on listening rather than merely presenting ideas, especially until a foundational level of trust is established. Furthermore, recognizing the significance of unspoken cues—deciphering conversational leads, assessing non-verbal cues in meetings or calls, and interpreting body language—has been instrumental.

These honed skills enable me to pose incisive questions that demonstrate a genuine understanding of the motivating factors driving the individual I’m engaging with. This approach allows me to not only capture their attention but also extract invaluable insights that enable me to serve them better. Moreover, it enables me to guide clients beyond immediate issues by recognizing prevalent industry concerns, thereby broadening their perspective.

Anticipating clients’ needs has been a pivotal factor in the growth of Yatri and expanding my client base. I maintain detailed notes from all client interactions, attuned to mentions of interests or aspirations beyond our immediate discussions. Consequently, when an opportunity arises that aligns with a client’s potential interest, I ensure to share it with them. This proactive gesture not only piques their interest but also underscores my attentive approach to our engagements.

In summary, the ability to anticipate and cater to clients’ needs proactively has been instrumental in the growth of Yatri. By listening attentively, understanding underlying motivations, and extending beyond immediate concerns, I aim not only to satisfy but to consistently exceed my clients’ expectations.

Sonia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My passion for exploration was kindled during my childhood, traversing various international destinations with my parents. Upon completing college, I ventured into the realm of management consulting, a career that led me on a perpetual journey, traveling extensively for work each week. This lifestyle not only exposed me to diverse locales but also bestowed upon me travel perks, facilitating visits to far-flung corners of the globe. Amidst solving problems for my clients, I honed my knack for planning, navigating complexities to streamline and simplify people’s lives effortlessly.

The more I roamed, the more inquiries flooded in from friends, family, and referrals seeking assistance with their travel plans. Repeatedly hearing, “You have a talent for this; why not make it your profession?” nudged me to embark on a new endeavor. Thus, in January 2023, Yatri: Luxury Travel Planning was officially born. Catering to clients seeking anything from brief domestic getaways to intricately tailored global escapades, curating distinct experiences and handpicking accommodations and local spots became my ultimate joy.

At the core of my mission lies the commitment to comprehend each client’s unique preferences, crafting travel experiences that resonate deeply with them and their companions. I envision my role as liberating my clients’ time, enabling them to relish the journey and immerse themselves fully in their travels.
My mission is to understand each of my clients so I can curate travel experiences that are meaningful to them and their travel companions. I see my purpose as freeing up my client’s time so they can enjoy the journey and be present during their travels.

Travel has and will continue to bring me an immense amount of joy. I see travel as a way to connect with people, nature and myself, which is not always possible to do from our home base with the pressures of work and other obligations. Through Yatri, I aim to weave unforgettable narratives and create unique journeys for each client.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Not yet, but I hope it will in time!

As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate toward taking risks, the decision to start my own business was a leap that took time to embrace. Despite recognizing my potential in this venture, it took years of nudging from my family before I gathered the courage to embark on this new journey. Doubts lingered, necessitating extensive consultations within the travel industry and thorough independent research to validate my inclination toward this endeavor. A pivotal turning point came when I crossed paths with a travel advisor who had transitioned from a different industry. Her openness in sharing insights and connecting me with industry insiders reinforced my confidence in pursuing this new path.

Launching into the world of entrepreneurship brought a surge of realization about the immense training and ongoing research essential to serve my clients adeptly while staying abreast of the dynamic travel landscape. The sheer volume of information often leaves me feeling overwhelmed, perpetually striving to keep pace with an ever-evolving industry. Nights are frequently spent crafting client trip proposals, while weekends are devoted to staying updated on the latest offerings from various travel suppliers—be it hotels, luxury tour companies, or cruise lines.

A pivotal moment that reaffirmed my chosen path occurred when a client, delighted with their two-week vacation experience, enthusiastically referred a friend to replicate the same trip. Their effusive recommendations not only validated my efforts but also underscored the profound impact of providing exceptional travel experiences.

Despite the inherent challenges and the continuous learning curve, these milestones reinforced my belief that I am on the right trajectory—a testament to the passion I hold for delivering exceptional travel experiences and the commitment to constantly evolving to better serve my clients.
recently returned from their trip. There were so happy with their two-week vacation and were telling all there friends about it that there friend reached out to basically do that exact trip.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Referrals! As a service provider, most of my business (for now) comes from past clients or people who know me and understand the value I bring to my clients. It is why I go the extra step of talking with the hotel before the client arrives to ensure everything is set, maybe having a special treat in their room after a long journey, etc. in hopes of turning a great moment into a “wow” moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yatriplanner.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yatriplanner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095132928512

Image Credits
Yvette Roman