Meet Shanta King of Open Journey Travel Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanta King.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
This guy I knew told me “check out this link” and let me know what you think, but I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. I asked questions but he wasn’t knowledgeable enough in the business to sell me. So I ignored it. Another friend said “hey, I have this opportunity for you to travel more and I want to you come to see the presentation.” I was almost sold on the word travel. I got to the presentation and this nice young lady was presenting. She was a school teacher, teaching in DC. She told me her story about her career, money and her “why” regarding getting into travel, and we know how much school teachers make. She also explained what she made on the Network Marketing side of the business. Her presentation showed her first trip was to Dubai and Abu Dhabi where she only spent $1200 for 10 days. At the end of the presentation the start up fees were explained. I didn’t know where I was getting the money from or if I had it in my account, I just swiped my card the next day, it went through and here I am 11yrs later, still doing travel and seeing the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Even today, I struggle with getting support from friends and family. I don’t expect everyone to book with me every time they travel but I DO expect them to share my posts, flyers, group trips etc whenever they see them as that is FREE.99! I have some loyal customers, some strangers turned friends and travel buddies, but travel is so saturated right now and being a content creator is the new thing…something I’m not. Strangers support me more than my own people. I have to beg people to share my content/trips when it’s nothing for me to share their stuff, even if I can’t support at the time. I don’t let that get me down though.

I just want to show people how to ball on a budget and see the world.

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 the owner of Open Journey Travel Agency and I am a professional travel agent who is geared toward helping clients to see the world on a budget. I have been in business since May 2015 and travel on average 4-5x a year to some of the most exotic places in the world. My business is an online, home based business; however, I also work full-time in the Digital Product Management space.

I pride myself on supplying top notch customer service and travel, which includes but is not limited to the following:

• Vacation Packages
• Adventure Trips
• Pre-planned group trips
• Custom trips (service fee applies)

…And so much more!!

I achieved the IATAN Accreditation for the last 8 years which recognizes the diversified and versatile U.S. travel professionals who can and will continue to meet universally recognized requirements, and who sell travel and travel related services. I lead a small team of Travel Agents who’ve seen the vision and benefit of being in the industry of Network Marketing as an additional source of income.

Travel is my passion, and as a dedicated travel agent, I strive to create memorable experiences for my clients. From luxury vacations to budget-friendly trips, I tailor each itinerary to fit your needs and desires. Traveling isn’t costly if you are traveling with Open Journey Travel Agency!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Travel…I love exploring new cultures, as I feel it enriches my soul. I am an example for less fortunate young girls from the hood, like I was, to show them that you can do anything, be anything and go anywhere. I changed the narrative so that my past didn’t define my future. My travels have become an inspiration for others to get up and go see more than Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Las Vegas…you just gotta get on the plane.

I love that for me…and them!

Pricing:

• $75 service fee for quoting groups up to 8ppl
• $100 service fee for quoting groups over 8ppl

Contact Info:

• Website: https://openjourneytravel.xstreamagent.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/openjourneytravelagency
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/openjourneytravel