Today we’d like to introduce you to Siarra Turner.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Siarra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Travel and I are old friends who lost touch… then reunited stronger than ever. I travelled (domestically) quite often as a teenager. In fact, by the time I graduated from high school, I’d visited thirteen different states. Not bad for a little girl from Georgia. College added a few states to that number. But by the time I slid into adulthood, travelling–the reality of it–came to screeching halt. In my mind, travel required money that I didn’t have. A practical woman, I saved my coins meticulously to move into my own place, eventually buy a car, and work my way up the federal ladder. And I did…
…until 2016. Election year. I’ll spare the political drama. But, election year meant one important thing in Federal employment: hiring freezes. Just finishing a year-long program that opened my career in ways, I wouldn’t fully discover until later, suddenly, I was stuck in my position. Literally couldn’t move up or around. Frozen. And without an Olaf to keep me laughing. So, a close friend suggested I travel. I laughed and said no. Multiple times. Then, I considered the proposal. I’d lived at home for the last two years, saved up coins, made a decent income. Why couldn’t I travel?? I will credit my friend AND that moment of consideration with changing my life. Because I started travelling. All the time.
Initially, I travelled domestically. After a year, I finally got my passport and opened my world up to international travel. And now, two years in, I will happily say, travelling is my passion. I am a confident solo female traveller, a lover of hotels and certified in Marriott International properties, and have worked as a travel consultant for nearly a year. My brand: Obsessive Travel Planner. I meticulously plan out your best experience so all you have to do is enjoy the moment…
I believe travel is transformative, something that allows you to discover your best self if you’re open to it. I also know travel is a privilege not many believe they can afford. So I work to educate on how to save coins better to afford the little pleasures in life, including travel. I share tips and tricks on flight deals, advise on how to score affordable luxury, and assist new travellers with how to navigate on their trips. I also have a working blog, Wander.Focus.Love where I share stories on my first trips around America.
My goal: to encourage people to #planyourbestlife and open yourself up being your best self. Especially women who are, too often, told we have to fit into specific molds. We can do whatever we set our minds to! Including travelling the globe solo or in groups! Next destination–Italy! And this is a childhood dream in the making.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ha, no dream ever comes true smoothly. No business ever flourishes without struggle. My story is no different. Travelling alone is scary at first. In fact, some people will never travel alone. Some women will never brave new locations solo. And that’s okay. But for those who are on right on that edge? Do it. Know that anything you try for the first time will cause slivers of anxiety to move through you.
Not just travelling, but ANYTHING. But, expertise only comes through experience. Confidence comes with competence. I’ve made multiple mistakes in my travel journey: gotten lost, missed my train, booked the wrong train, had to navigate myself without a working cell phone, even had to completely rearrange my trip while stuck in the middle of it. But that’s how I know the best tips for others because I learned from my own experience.
Trying to lift a business off the ground is hard. Add I’m a woman. And Black. And work full time. It’s HARD. I come home from work and have little energy to devote to creating new content or writing a blog post. Another struggle? Comparing yourself to all the others out there already doing what you’re only beginning. I’ll freely admit I’m still in that struggle now. But here’s my best advice, again based on my own disappointments and lessons:
1) There is only one you. So stop comparing yourself. Two people can sell the same product successfully. That’s why there is a Colgate and a Crest. You just locate your core audience and sell it to them. I promise someone is listening. And eventually, one person will turn into two. And ten.
2) Success never comes overnight. Instead, success comes in unequal pieces over time. Rewards and slumps that echo repetitiously even after you “make it.” But success will only come to those who don’t give up. So don’t stop. Pause, take your moments, reevaluate, regroup, even rebrand, but DON’T STOP.
3) Treat your passion, your brand like a business. Believe in it. Research your audience. Know your product/service. Plan out your marketing and track your growth. Invest in yourself. Hire a coach or mentor who will help open your perspective on your brand. Think of your favorite products and ask yourself why do you like them? Customer Service? Great marketing? A solid product that lives up to expectations? Then find your way to make your business something you would invest in as a consumer.
4) It’s okay to be afraid. I’m afraid all the time. I’m afraid right now, typing this message that I’ll say the wrong thing or too much or not enough. I’m saying it anyway. Sometimes, fear is the only thing that pushes us from dream to reality. Fear of staying stagnant or feeling alone. Fear of never trying. FOMO. Sometimes, if we allow it, fear will hold us back. Fear of failure masked as contentment in our comfort zone. So, be afraid, but then use it to push you where you want to go. Challenges will always pop up, obstacles will always block you. Rise up and knock them out of your goals.
Please tell us about Obsessive Travel Planner.
The more I travel, the more I realize that what I do is marvelling. Understand how odd that is to discover when, in my business, I’m digitally surrounded by people (primarily women) who do this ALL THE TIME. And more than I do! Yet, we don’t represent the majority of the world.
Most will only travel once or twice a year, usually to a place they’ve travelled to before. And because they don’t travel often, they often experience doubt or anxiety when they do decide to vacation somewhere new. Or believe they cannot afford to travel to their coveted destinations. That’s where I come in. I’m the conduit between your dream of lying on a beach in Thailand and the reality of actually feeling the sun on your skin. I remember all the little details so you don’t have to: what to pack, when to book the flight, the best neighborhood to settle in, how to navigate through airport security, getting that coveted passport, building up reward points to earn upgrades, using public transportation, scoring a reservation at some of the best eateries, and more. I’m your Obsessive Travel Planner for a reason!
I’m obsessive so you don’t have to be. I plan so you can enjoy. I help with your budget so you can have the coins to indulge and keep your lights on when you return!
I cater to people who don’t travel often, people who are on the edge of wanting to try something new, people, who just put “travel more in 2020” on their vision board last night. People who suddenly find themselves one of twenty on a group trip and need help creating the experience. The recently promoted executive looking to celebrate that climb up the ladder with friends. The working mom who wants to plan a family vacation. The ten-year teacher who wants to enjoy summer vacation differently this year. The recently retired who finally wants to live his/her best life. I cater to you. Whatever you need!
Everything starts with a free consultation! Then the journey begins… I also offer budgeting services to help create a working budget and maintain it over time so you can save up for your next desired expense–travel or otherwise. Interestingly, what I’m most proud of isn’t a particular service or sell. I love the look on someone’s face when they travel somewhere new for the first time. When they safely get on the plane and land in a new city. When they plan out their first solo journey. When they book their first international trip and they call or text to tell me. Or thank me. I love seeing that light in other people. I love being some small part in turning the light on–that’s my purpose in life.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
There’s an app for everything?? Did you know? I use apps while travelling all the time. Outside of apps specific to a hotel brand or airline (which I HIGHLY recommend while travelling), some of the best apps I use include:
1) Mobile Passport – saves time when arriving back in the states.
2) CityMapper – personal favorite for public transportation in a new city. I do not get lost using this!
3) Google Translate – it’s how I navigated around Spain almost effortlessly while only knowing a little Spanish.
4) Google Travel – plans out almost as meticulously as I do! Keeps me informed on hotel check-ins, flight changes, and events.
5) Hotel Tonight – another personal favorite for scoring amazing last-minute hotel deals.
Books:
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Yes, I read it while flying 30,000 feet up. Game changer for those quick to say no. Also, any book by Malcolm Gladwell. Because he opens your eyes to what was always there but you couldn’t (or wouldn’t) see. A changing perspective is necessary to navigate the globe as your assumptions are constantly (and pleasantly) challenged.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wanderfocuslove.com
- Email: wanderfocuslove@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/obsessivetravelplanner
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/obsessivetravelplanner
Image Credit:
Siarra Turner
IG @siarrachantal
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