Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Chitwood.
Hi Allyson, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved to travel. I spent the first 20+ years of my career life working in metro area real estate law firms. I knew I wanted to move into a position that would allow more flexibility (and travel opportunities) and really thought long and hard about what I wanted my next career to be. I started selling travel part time as a second job and discovered that I truly loved the work. When my primary employer at the time retired, I chose to make the jump into full time travel sales and haven’t looked back!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, just taking that first leap has been the biggest challenge I’ve faced so far. Not only walking away from a salaried position to something commission-based, but choosing to have a physical office on Main Street in Jasper rather than working from home was a huge gamble for me. Thankfully, it seems to have paid off! Many of my clients have said they chose me specifically because they were able to walk into my office, sit down, and talk to a real person. With so many travel advisors choosing to be home-based now, I feel like that one decision has truly changed the direction of my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a travel advisor (specifically an independent contractor affiliated with Sojourney Travel). As a travel advisor, I specialize in crafting seamless, personalized journeys that go far beyond just flights and hotels. I help clients unlock the full potential of their travel experiences—whether it’s navigating complex international itineraries, maximizing loyalty perks and value for their dollar, or discovering unique local gems. My personality is VERY detail oriented and I believe that trait carries over to the itineraries I build for my clients. From luxury train trips through Europe to Caribbean beach resort getaways to cruises of all sorts, I ensure every trip is tailored to fit the needs of each specific client.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Lori Stephens, the owner of Sojourney Travel, deserves SO much credit for building a company that puts a very strong emphasis on relationships, family and advisor growth and development. The sense of community and teamwork within the company is unlike any other organization I’ve ever been involved with. Advisors often collaborate on itineraries, share information obtained during personal trips or site visits and brainstorm together to optimize a client’s overall experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sojourneytravel.com/allyson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysonsojourneytravel/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sojourneytravelbyallysonchitwood
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/allyson-chitwood-4172866
- Other: https://linktr.ee/allysonchitwood
Image Credits
These are some of my favorite photos taken during my own recent travels.
