We were lucky to catch up with Stacey Dempsey-Patrick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is my daughter, Natalie.

At just 21 years old, Natalie passed away in the line of duty as a volunteer firefighter with the Mizpah Fire Department in New Jersey. She was also a supervisor at the Humane Society and had a deep love for animals. Her dream was to become a K9 police officer—a path she was passionately working toward. She had a servant’s heart, always putting others before herself. She died helping others, and that makes her not just my hero, but a hero to many.

Through Natalie’s life—and her passing—I’ve learned some of life’s most profound lessons. I’ve learned to slow down, to be present, to truly take in the beauty around me. I’ve learned the importance of making memories, not just plans. After losing Natalie, and later my husband, I knew I couldn’t continue in the corporate world. I needed something that aligned with what I had come to value most: time, healing, and meaningful experiences.

So, I stepped away from corporate life and into something completely different—I co-own a travel agency franchise with my mom. We help families create their own dream vacations, and in many ways, honor Natalie’s love of life and adventure. It was financially risky and emotionally daunting, but it was what my soul needed.

In just ten months, we’ve reached nearly $500,000 in gross sales and expanded our team with three incredible associates. On the hard days, I think of my baby girl and I know—without a doubt—she’s cheering me on.

Natalie taught me to live fully, love deeply, and to chase dreams even in the face of loss. Her courage continues to guide me, and I strive to make her proud every single day.

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 back background and context?

I co-own a travel agency franchise with my mom, where we help individuals and families create unforgettable vacations and lasting memories. We specialize in crafting customized dream vacations—whether it’s a relaxing beach getaway, a European adventure, or a magical theme park trip. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help people make the most of their time together.

What sets us apart is our personal approach. We bring compassion, empathy, and attention to detail to every client experience. We understand—on a deeply human level—how important time with loved ones is, and we treat every trip we plan as if it were our own. We’ve built a business grounded in heart, healing, and the desire to help others live life fully. If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and our brand, it’s that we’re not just selling vacations—we’re helping people invest in moments that matter.

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

The best source of new clients for us has been a combination of social media and, most importantly, client referrals. We take great pride in providing personalized, white-glove service to each and every client—before, during, and after their trip. From the moment we start planning to the moment they return home, we’re there every step of the way to ensure everything goes smoothly.

If any unexpected hiccups happen during travel, we personally step in to manage the situation and advocate on their behalf. That level of care has really resonated with our clients. They know we treat their vacation like it’s our own, and that trust has turned many clients into repeat travelers—and our best advocates.

Personal referrals have truly become the heartbeat of our business. There’s no greater compliment than someone recommending us to their friends and family, and it continues to be one of the most meaningful drivers of our growth.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I’m incredibly blessed to have my mom as my business partner.

She’s been a travel agent for over seven years and brought a wealth of experience and passion into our journey together. When I reached a point in my life where I knew I needed a change—after stepping away from the corporate world and navigating profound personal loss—I began researching what it would take to own a travel agency. I knew I wanted a career that would not only bring me joy, but also help me heal.

I presented the idea to my mom and asked if she’d be interested in joining me. Without hesitation, she was on board. Together, we dove into research and found the perfect fit with a travel agency franchise that aligned with our values and vision.

Since then, our partnership has exceeded anything we could have imagined. We’ve learned how to lean into each other’s strengths—whether it’s operations, client care, marketing, or sales—and that teamwork has been key to our growth. Our love for travel and our shared passion for helping families create unforgettable memories is truly at the heart of what we do.

It’s been one of the greatest gifts of my life—not just building a successful business, but doing it side by side with someone I love and admire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gainespatrickandassociates.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gainespatrickandassociates?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyDempseyPatrickKeynoteSpeaker
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-dempsey-patrick-97319b69/