The Alimond Show
Welcome to The Alimond Show --join us as we share our entrepreneurial guests' stories, uncover their secrets to success, and explore the unique paths they've taken to build thriving businesses in our community.
In each episode, our host, Aliyah Dastour, sits down with a diverse group of local business owners, from the corner cafe to the boutique shop, from tech startups to family-run enterprises. We peel back the curtain to reveal the trials, triumphs, and transformational moments that have shaped their entrepreneurial journey.
Discover the passion, perseverance, and innovative thinking that fuels these businesses, as well as the challenges they've overcome along the way. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking inspiration or simply a curious listener interested in the stories behind your favorite local spots, The Alimond Show has something for everyone.
Our guests share their experiences, insights, and valuable advice that can empower you to turn your own dreams into reality. We discuss topics like marketing strategies, customer relationships, community engagement, and much more, offering practical takeaways you can apply to your own business or career.
Join us every week as we celebrate the unsung heroes of our local business community and explore the vibrant tapestry of entrepreneurship in our area. Tune in to The Alimond Show and get ready to be inspired, informed, and motivated to support and nurture the businesses that make our community thrive.
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The Alimond Show
Becky Keenan - From Side-Hustling Travel Enthusiast to Curated Family Vacation Expert
Ever wondered how to create stress-free, unforgettable family vacations? Join us as we chat with Becky Keenan from Curated Travel Collection, who turned her passion for travel into a thriving full-time career. Becky shares her journey from enjoying a flawlessly planned family trip to becoming the go-to expert for families seeking dream-worthy getaways. Learn how she tailors vacation plans to fit the unique preferences of each family, navigates the ever-evolving travel landscape post-COVID, and keeps her finger on the pulse of current travel trends like bucket list adventures.
Curious about cruising? Becky offers valuable tips for first-timers, explaining how to enjoy multiple destinations in a single trip while balancing family and adult time. From the benefits of shorter cruises to the importance of client relationships, she covers all the essentials. Additionally, we explore Becky's personal transformation from a side-hustling travel enthusiast to a full-time business owner, underscoring the perks and opportunities that come with a career in travel. Becky's stories will inspire you to embrace the adventure of exploring new cultures and making lasting memories. Tune in for practical advice and a heartfelt call to embrace the transformative power of travel.
My name is Becky Keenan. With Curated Travel Collection, I am a travel planner. I have been helping clients make memories for the past 10 years. I basically meet my clients where they're at in their travel vision, so I help them with as little or as much with the travel planning as they desire. Oh great, how did you get into this? Back in 2012, the agency that I now work alongside actually planned my family's vacation and everything was seamless. It was stress-free and I knew, if I was ever given the opportunity to help others make memories the way that they helped my family and I I would jump on board in a heartbeat. And about two years later, they were looking for agents to work from home and I signed up with without a doubt.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was only yeah. Have you always been passionate about traveling?
Speaker 1:I have. I was very fortunate my childhood. Every summer we were going on vacations and one of the biggest memories was we had a minivan and we always drove wherever we went Outside of probably flying to California. We drove to every East Coast destination and one of my favorite memories that I still bring up with my parents is you know, back then they every East Coast destination. And one of my favorite memories that I still bring up with my parents is you know, back then they didn't have GPS ways, all that fun stuff, not even smartphones. Of course that was a long time ago, but they had the AAA, the triptych, where they would like map out in highlighter your, you know your route. And one of my favorite memories was always sitting up front and kind of being the navigator and I would take the tire gauge and talk into it and kind of guide my family down the road. So that's kind of where my it's always been passion and I knew that.
Speaker 1:You know, I always had those memories and then, once I had my son, I wanted to pass that along to him. And we still continue traveling today as a family. So how old are the kids? Uh, I have one son, 16 years old. Yeah, yes, yeah, and he loves to travel. Oh, loves to travel. Yes, we just got back um from Greece and Rome on Monday, so we did a cruise last week. So, yes, he's, he loves to travel and I've kind of, you know, put that spark in him as well. Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 2:So how do you help families navigate the overwhelming options that are out there and pricing?
Speaker 1:How does that work? Absolutely. It can be very overwhelming as you mentioned.
Speaker 1:So I will have a phone consultation with my clients and really get to know what it is that they're looking for with my clients, and really get to know what it is that they're looking for, because what could be my vision of a perfect vacation is obviously not everybody's. So really getting to know them personally, who they're traveling with, what it is that they're looking for, whether it's they're looking for adventure, they're looking for relaxation Sometimes they're not really sure what it is that they're looking for, but you know who they're traveling with and what they're dreaming of as far as a vacation, because it is an investment, um, so making sure that, um, I get as much information as possible before I kind of start narrowing down and presenting options to them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yes. And do you work with specific to them? Yeah, yes. And do you work with specific cruise lines or hotel chains? How does that work?
Speaker 1:So originally we started out as a Disney only destination company and then, just prior to COVID, we kind of started adding in more curated, hand-selected, vetted resorts to kind of offer to clients as an option, because people were either, you know, growing out of Disney or looking for other alternatives. And then once COVID happened, we kind of started to read focus, you know options, especially because the parks closed down but people were still looking to travel. So we kind of revamped what we envision as a company to offer more destinations. You know people were looking to RV or going to national parks.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was a big thing.
Speaker 1:Yes, right, yeah, so they still wanted to travel, but they wanted to be more isolated. So it really kind of allowed us to revamp how we looked at travel and offer more options. So you know, today we use that time during COVID to do a lot of trainings and, you know, because we didn't have a lot of clients traveling, so we use that time to work along more suppliers. So, yes, we can really help with almost any cruise line, any hotel destination you know worldwide. So it's, it's really has expanded and grown.
Speaker 1:So that was kind of a positive to come out of, out of COVID, because it was a growth, you know in the, in the people are traveling, now more than ever.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, yes, Like yes, we all sat, and now it's like, let's go everywhere.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're taking their bucket list trips. It seems, you know they're not, they're not waiting for um, you know that perfect time. They're just kind of all in. And we've always wanted to go to Europe, we're going. We've always wanted to go to Hawaii, we're going. So yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and they're booking and they're booking and they're going.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's good.
Speaker 2:How do you work your advertising, advertising and marketing? What's working for you these days?
Speaker 1:What's working for me now Most of my, most of my clients are referrals, which is nice. I do have several Facebook pages that I, you know, post to. So usually my people either that follow me on Facebook will reach out um or through referrals, um, and I do advertise as well in a local, in a local magazine for the local market. So, um and networking, of course, just getting out into the community and meeting other other businesses and kind of, you know, collaborating that way is has been beneficial.
Speaker 2:What other trends are you seeing in the travel industry these days?
Speaker 1:has been beneficial. What other trends are you seeing in the travel industry these days? Um, again, those people just they're just wanting to go um a lot of last minute as well. You know, I had someone reach out like I'm going to be in LA next week, so I want to do this, this and this. So, um, a lot of last minute, um, a lot of bucket list trips. Um and um, yeah, just just a lot more people looking to just really take advantage of, um, yeah, of traveling.
Speaker 2:Are you seeing any challenges still with COVID policies, or is that a thing? Is it gone?
Speaker 1:I mean it's not so much as far as far as policies go back and they're, they're up and running up and running, yeah they're good to go. No-transcript has been a change, so that's a good thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it is yeah. So I know for us we're way last minute planners. I feel like I have my trips booked for the next three months or three years and I'm like, yeah, it's hard to have like a long countdown, right, hopefully, yeah, that's okay.
Speaker 1:That's what works for you, right? So that's. The other thing too is like you know, it's some people are last minute and some people love to have like something planned for down the road.
Speaker 2:So I'm like just surprise me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, surprises are good.
Speaker 2:What tips do you have for families, or even just young adults or couples? Like what would you say? Your top five, like travel tips, are in regards to booking.
Speaker 1:I think planning is good, definitely kind of having a plan in place. Having a budget in place is very helpful, especially if you're not kind of sure where you're going or what you're looking for. It's kind of nice to be able to, you know, present options that people will necessarily want to, maybe are interested in. You know you don't want to present them with something that's completely out of their budget. So, having a budget, having a plan, but also being flexible, you know, sometimes there's just those moments where you know your little, you know son or daughter just kind of going off on their own way, but you had something planned. So, you know, having a plan in place but having that flexibility to just be in the moment, I think is huge. Also, protecting your investment with you know, travel insurance is definitely a huge huge thing.
Speaker 2:That's something I always like teeter on. Yes, do we need it?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I highly recommend it. I quote it for every client you know, just to present it as an option, because your vacation's an investment, so a lot of money people are, you know, putting towards their their trip, so making sure that it's. If something happens you know, weather-related, you get sick while you're overseas or unfortunate things happen that you need to have that coverage for, so that's a good one. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2:What are some of your top locations? What are your favorite trips?
Speaker 1:My personal favorite trips are cruises. I like cruising because I feel like you get a nice overview of different places all in one trip and it's nice to kind of have those touch points of places to say like I definitely want to come back here when I can spend more time. To say like I definitely want to come back here when I can spend more time. Um, so you know, we were just in um Italy and we were there for like literally in Rome for like less than 24 hours for boarding before we boarded our ship. So I was like we saw the sites we wanted to see, but definitely a place to go back and explore more of. Um, so cruising is is huge. Um, so cruising is huge.
Speaker 1:Lots of people like to cruise. Hawaii is a great destination, you know. It's more tropical, so it's nice to have. When you know, clients come and they're like, well, we don't have passports but we're still looking for something specific. So that's, you know, having those options for clients who maybe are looking for a last minute trip but don't have the passports. So, yeah, cruising Caribbean clients who maybe are looking for a last minute trip but don't have the passports, um, so yeah, cruising caribbean um, mostly my, I would say most of my clients are more of like the beachy, warmer weather, um, not too much of like the you know, the skier or you know that kind of thing, and maybe it's just because I don't really promote that, because that's just not what. What I enjoy as far as traveling goes something I could could assist with, of course, but most of my clients are kind of the warmer weather cruising options.
Speaker 2:They get me out of this area, they get me to the beach, they get me my pina colada. Yeah, exactly, exactly so. We've never been on a cruise, full disclosure. And my husband, every time we talk about it because kids have been like let's do a cruise, and every time he's just like I don't know if it's our thing that people, the rooms are small, yeah, and I don't know. It's just something we've never jumped into. What advice do you have for someone like me, or are any of our listeners that are like cruises?
Speaker 1:it maybe intimidate them or it just feels too big or overwhelming yeah, yeah, um, there are definitely like three four-night cruises, like right out of florida. So I would definitely recommend a short, um you know, cruise to, you know, the bahamas, um, you know, if you were doing disney you could do to their private island, for example. Or either rural caribbean um, again they have that private island. Um, so just kind of get your feet wet, so to speak, on like just a short, like three night.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I've done um cruises where I've tied it into um, you know, we spent a few days at universal, you know just a couple of nights, and then we got on board um a cruise. So maybe tying in a shorter cruise um, you know, after a trip to the, to theme parks or a beach, for example, for a few days.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So just kind of dip your toes in the water, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Because you don't want to be stuck on a ship for seven nights if it's like, uh-oh, this is not good, I see pictures.
Speaker 2:Sometimes I'm like can you even find a seat up pool?
Speaker 1:Yeah. So many of our friends love it and I always hear the greatest reviews and the kids.
Speaker 2:There's something for everybody.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is.
Speaker 2:And the kids are always happy and, as we just never pulled the trigger on it the kids club.
Speaker 1:So a cruise is a nice. Um, it's a nice balance of adult time and family time, if you will, cause usually there's the kids clubs and the kids, you know, depending on their ages, they like that. So you know mom and dad can go to the adult only pool, or go to, you know, adult only dining and that kind of thing. So that's nice.
Speaker 2:I didn't even know that was an option. Yeah, it's an adult only pool.
Speaker 1:That would be yeah, yeah that would be amazing.
Speaker 2:Where do you see all this going in the next few years? Do you feel like you see some growth? I mean, obviously travel is picking up in a huge way. I don't think it's slowing down. What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 1:No, I think it's just going to go up from here. Every year, I grow my business in different ways, whether it's through clients or it's through sales, and right now I would love to take this I do this, it's my side hustle my business in different ways, whether it's through clients or through sales. Um, and right now I would love to take this. I do this as it's my side hustle. Um, I'm also a reading specialist as well as my full-time job, so I would eventually like to make travel my full-time job. So every year I get like a little bit closer to making that happen. So that's ideally what I would would love to do full-time, because it's it's my passion, for sure.
Speaker 2:And it sounds like a dream job. Do you get to do any special perks or things through different hotels Like hey, come here and then I can promote you to you know, so you can promote it to your clients?
Speaker 1:Absolutely. We have conferences every year and we do have the options to, you know, go and you know check out different resorts or they'll have, you know, conferences within, so you can learn more about and promote, you know, promote their properties for sure. So, yeah, it's nice.
Speaker 2:What advice would you have for somebody getting into this industry?
Speaker 1:I think making sure that you have a relationship with your clients. Making sure that you have a relationship with your clients, you know, it's more than just planning their vacation. Getting to know them and getting to know what their wants are and what their needs are, is huge. And the other thing, too, making sure that you always kind of have a pulse on what's happening in the industry and making sure that you have those touch points with clients, like you had mentioned before, like maybe your trip's, like three years out right, so that you still have those touch points with clients along the way and following up to make sure that they were happy. Like, did I do everything that you thought I was going to do? Because that's how I make changes, right From the feedback that we get or that I get. That's how I kind of adjust and, you know, change things that I'm currently doing for, you know, for future clients.
Speaker 2:So what challenges do you see in the industry?
Speaker 1:I think challenges possibly people thinking or relying just because of social media and the internet. There's so much information out there that I think a lot of people think they can just kind of go it alone. But there's also a lot of misinformation out there. So I think, you know, not everyone necessarily is my ideal client, so if they like to just plan on their own, that that's totally fine, of course. But just that maybe being a challenge with um, you know just so much information and things just keep changing, um, but I don't necessarily see that as necessarily an issue because I think we'll always there will always be the clients that do want that assistance.
Speaker 2:That's what was going to be my next question. Explain for our listeners the benefit of going through a travel agent versus just booking on their own.
Speaker 1:Sure, First and foremost, we have a relationship with all of our suppliers, so if something happens we're able to kind of jump in and assist, and I meet my clients where they are at with wanting help.
Speaker 1:Some will come and say I just need a little like nudge in the right direction. I want you to take on everything and plan it for me, um. So having that ability to um work along the suppliers we have destination specialists in different parts of the world. You know we work alongside. I have three other. You know other agents I work alongside. Usually I can reach out to them if I haven't been to a specific destination. So having the boots on the ground and that knowledge that is like in the forefront of things that are constantly changing in the travel world is definitely, you know, a benefit with working alongside myself, Because you've been there.
Speaker 2:Know someone that's been there has a client that's been there, Correct?
Speaker 1:And I do the research for them. You know, I'll book whatever they would like. If they're looking for transfers, if they're looking for, you know, tours, they're looking for an itinerary. So it's really the kind of like that personalized concierge service. Um, if they want that full on, you know, full on service.
Speaker 2:So yeah, yeah and it's yeah. I feel like when we've looked at things and you know you're, you're looking at the website, you're looking at the reviews and you still just don't really know is this going to be a good place? Right, and so get there. So it's always good to have those recommendations, absolutely. And things are just constantly changing.
Speaker 1:You know regulations with different countries and you know travel requirements and things like that. So just kind of having me to do that research and kind of take that off the plate of my client is what I, you know, kind of strive to do.
Speaker 2:We did use somebody for a Disney trip years ago and it was the most seamless trip. And she had breakfast and she goes when you get out of this breakfast, get your fast pass for this and then you can go eat breakfast over here and it just was the most seamless thing ever.
Speaker 1:It's nice to not have to worry about like those little details.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Just so you can enjoy your vacation.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and all the reservations were made and it was one of the best vacations we've had. So, um, as we kind of wrap up here, are there any words of advice you'd like to leave us with, or maybe just a mantra that you live your life by?
Speaker 1:Um, I think making memories is something that I think is very important. So, just you know, traveling and going someplace where you've never been before, it just kind of really puts the world into perspective about like how like insignificant we are, and it's the world's a massive, massive place. So, just all kinds of people. All kinds of people and that's yeah, it's amazing, like the culture and you know they're just yeah, it's it's amazing. I would say just go go places, just see the world. There's so much to see, so much to see.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love that. Well, thank you for being here with us today.
Speaker 1:Thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:Thank you.