Today we’d like to introduce you to Tunicia Walker.
Hi Tunicia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been known as the friend that was always traveling, so many of my friends and associates would always reach out to me for travel advice. My mother and I would travel at least twice a year-once for her birthday and once in the summer. As I got older, my travel circle expanded as I found other people that enjoyed travel as much as I did. About three years ago, my sorority sister invited me to a Women’s travel group that was run by a woman-owned travel agency. They would occasionally advertise that they offered opportunities for others to run their own business (no, it was not multi-level marketing).
They described the benefits of running your own travel business and the opportunities you could give yourself to see the world. I figured that since I was already doing this work for free for others, why not monetize the opportunity? I reached out to my friend circle to see how many people would support me if I did just that. I will say-my first clients were strangers! I think most business owners realize this as time goes on. Over time, I have helped my clients take trips all over the globe-from Cabo San Lucas to Paris. Prior to the pandemic, a majority of my clients enjoyed cruises and all-inclusive resorts.
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?
Absolutely not! As you can imagine, the COVID-19 pandemic practically eliminated all of my business for 2020. I had over $50,000 of travel booked that I had to cancel. Travel policies surrounding the pandemic keep changing, which makes it difficult for the people that want to travel to take the step of even booking a vacation. Also, a lot of people did not understand the value of travel insurance prior to the pandemic. I hate having to tell people that they will be losing a majority of their money.
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?
Pretty Posh Travels, established in 2018, is a boutique travel agency specializing in all-inclusive, tropical experiences, ranging from family vacations in Mexico to Carnival excursions in Barbados. We are one of the few agencies that lets our customers utilize no-interest payment plans on their vacations, making the most exotic vacation accessible for all budget levels. If needed, we can provide passport expediting services, forwarding items to the client’s travel destination, and other concierge services. Just ask!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Always be prepared. I used the downtime during COVID-19 to improve my business offerings and plan for when people are ready to travel again. Policies are consistently changing due to the pandemic, and I always have to stay prepared with the most up-to-date information. I am also a public health professional, so my professional life and business are intersecting now more than ever.
Pricing:
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Any inquiry is $20 and will go toward the customer’s deposit if trip is paid in full. If not paid in full, the $20 will go toward the payment plan administrative fee.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@prettyposhtravels.com
- Website: https://prettyposhtravels.com
- Instagram: @prettyposhtravels
- Facebook: facebook.com/prettyposhtravels
Image Credits
The group pictures are credit to Dequeshia Prude-Wheeler.
