Inspiring Conversations with Tony Hicks of ZZZTRAVEL.com

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Hicks.

Hi Tony, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Penny Candy to Global Adventures: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Tony
For Tony, entrepreneurship started early—long before college degrees, business plans, or real estate portfolios. At just a few years old, he turned his $1 weekly allowance into a booming candy business, buying penny sweets and reselling them for a nickle. That early taste of profit lit a lifelong passion for business and innovation.

By his teenage years, Tony had already mastered the art of hustle with a paper route and other neighborhood ventures. In college at Mississippi State University, that drive evolved into a profitable side business buying and selling baseball cards—an endeavor that would later chart the course for his career.

After graduation, Tony moved to Macon, Georgia, where he opened Tony’s Baseball Cards, turning a childhood hobby into a thriving storefront. Within three years, he successfully sold the shop to a competitor, marking his first major business exit. When his non-compete period ended, Tony pivoted online and became one of the first “Power Sellers” on eBay, moving over $1 million in baseball cards from his own garage—proving once again that innovation and hard work could transform any space into opportunity.

Real estate soon followed. Tony became a prominent investor, owning more than 70 rental properties throughout Middle Georgia. His business acumen and reputation for integrity helped him build lasting relationships with clients—many of whom became longtime friends.

In 2012, Tony moved to the serene mountain community of Big Canoe, Georgia, now the family’s primary home, while maintaining a condo in Midtown Atlanta as a base for city business. From these two hubs, Tony now leads Georgia Views Realty, serving clients from Midtown to the Mountains, and Savannah Views Realty, covering Savannah to Statesboro.

Never one to slow down, Tony launched ZZZTravel.com in 2024, a Cruise Planners franchise that turned his family’s love of travel into another successful enterprise. Today, he and his wife travel more than 60% of the year, organizing luxury cruises, all-inclusive resort experiences, and group adventures around the world.

Tony credits his long-term success to a simple principle: take care of your clients. That focus on service has created not only thriving businesses, but relationships that have stood the test of time—an enduring hallmark of an entrepreneur who’s been turning small opportunities into big wins since that very first dollar.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Managing rental properties is always a struggle. 24/7 calls to fix problems, late payers or non payers and evictions. It takes a strong commitment to keep going and the ability to change. Economic cycles and decision making on tenants, like any business, present challenges that demand the ability to change! Early on I was too nice and pushover for a sad story, only to realize people will use this against you, unfortunately. I changed to having a software program automatically issue dispossession notices once a tenant was five days late. After all, when they call for repairs, I fix right away. They need to pay on time so I can keep providing great service.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Curating the Art of Travel: How ZZZTravel.com Transforms Journeys into Luxury Experiences
For Tony and his wife, partners in life and business for over 36 years, travel is more than movement—it’s an art form. Together, they’ve circled the globe, experiencing the world’s most enchanting destinations and refined resorts. That worldly knowledge, combined with decades of entrepreneurial success, has shaped their latest venture, ZZZTravel.com, a Cruise Planners franchise dedicated to crafting exceptional, personalized travel experiences.

At ZZZTravel.com, every itinerary begins with a conversation. Luxury, they believe, comes from understanding what matters most to their clients—the essence of their dream vacation, the level of comfort they desire, and how they wish to experience the journey, whether in solitude, as a couple, or among friends. With access to a vast portfolio of premier partners, Tony and his team curate bespoke cruises, all-inclusive resort escapes, and immersive land and sea tours tailored to each traveler’s vision.

For larger groups—often comprised of eight or more couples—the personal touch extends even further. Tony and his wife often accompany their travelers, ensuring flawless coordination and providing a wealth of firsthand expertise throughout the journey. It’s a hallmark of their service, offering guests not just guidance, but confidence as they explore some of the world’s most captivating locales.

Their commitment to craftsmanship in travel planning is reflected in the stories their clients share. One recent traveler, Steve P. from Macon, sent an ecstatic video from Alaska—just two days into his seven-day adventure, fresh from a helicopter ride above gleaming glaciers and a thrilling dog mushing tour. “Even if the trip ended right now,” he exclaimed, “it would already be worth it.”

Then there’s Tony’s 82-year-old uncle, who long dreamed of seeing the world but had never ventured beyond the United States. With ZZZTravel’s expert guidance, he embarked on a luxurious journey through the Greek Islands, complete with a magnificent detour to the Pyramids of Giza. He returned home transformed—his hesitation replaced by excitement as he plans his next international adventure for 2026.

For Tony and his wife, luxury travel is about more than elegance—it’s about creating meaningful, seamless experiences that linger in memory. Their brand stands on a foundation of expertise, trust, and connection. As they put it, every journey is a collaboration between client and curator, designed not just to meet expectations, but to transcend them.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
When time permits, Tony devotes his energy to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. His passion for business development extends beyond U.S. borders—he once traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia, to work with young entrepreneurs through OPEN WORLD USA, a U.S. foreign assistance initiative focused on empowering emerging leaders in former Soviet republics. His successful mentorship abroad led to further opportunities to advise on early-stage NGO management in the region. In addition to his international efforts, Tony has served closer to home on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Georgia and the Sertoma Club of Macon, continuing his lifelong commitment to leadership and community service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zzztravel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyhickszzztravel/
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566320763159&_rdc=1&_rdr#
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zzztravel/

Image Credits
All photos- Tony and Susan Hicks, ZZZTRAVEL.com