Discover Your World Travel Blog

ALOHA

Sitting here in the wee hours of a gloomy Pacific NW morning and mourning the loss of our warm sunny days, I'm excitedly planning my trip to Oahu.

Not just for the escape to warm trade winds, sunny skies and beach (though who wouldn't say that is plenty?). But, for the total atmosphere that is Hawaii. I'm absolutely smitten with the islands. The flavors, the feel, the culture and the lovely people.

I'm completely blessed to be working in the travel industry and able to travel and interact with those who call the island home. Entertainers, chefs, tour guides and even housekeepers, waitresses and bus drivers. I stop and talk to everyone. Though every city has a couple of unhappy people, the islands seem to have a different way about them.

In the islands things slow down-in a good way. People take care of each other. People smile and hug (it's actually part of the culture). Song and dance are a way of life.

I could tell you for hours why I love the islands but, suffice it to say...I'll arrive in Honolulu and smell that warm air and relax. I'll hear some of that Hawaiian "vibe" and smile. The sunshine will hit my face and the mainland gloom will melt away.

Aloha...take me away!

Thirteen years ago, I searched and wrestled with appropriate names for my business, dumping ideas on friends, relatives and co-workers (at my then full-time job). I had tons of clever names but none seemed to catch the notion of my own personal journey so much as "Discover Your World Travel".

As a young person, reading was my way of discovering the world. Travel was usually throughout the USA and I was awed by the different cultures, vast scenery and "awesomeness" that was within our own borders. And yet, I knew through the books I read there was so much more to see and explore.

My father was the one to open up my world of travel and we shared some great times. He encouraged in me a sense of boldness and discovery of other people's experiences.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEB NAME?

MyTravelShopper.com was purely born of a desire to serve my clients in a very special, customer focused way. Spending time in the Pacific NW, I had enjoyed shopping in a particular department store that excelled in service. The moment you entered the store and heard that grand piano playing you knew you were going to experience a different style of shopping.

When I chose MyTravelShopper.com I remembered the personal shoppers of this department store. Where your preferences are remembered, and you received a phone call when your favorite items were on sale. They got to know you, your sizes, favorite colors and your wardrobe. I wanted to give that level of personal, custom service.

So, I built my business with those foundation stones and thoughts. It would be personalized and focused on the customer. Not for a quick sale but for the long-term professional relationship. I take pride in crafting great travel packages, partnering with wonderful vendors who deliver good quality products/service and bringing my client added value throughout the travel planning process.

Potential clients often ask me about this site or that one where they've seen a fabulous sale on travel. Maybe they've received a mailing and were "woo'ed" by the awesome-ness of the deal. They share their stories with me, I guess hoping that I'll verify what they've seen. Or maybe, to refute it.

All I can do is to politely smile and nod. You see, these values are common and even though the cruise lines or competition like to trumpet that the values can only be found in one place- I'm here to say, THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

Yes, you can have the best of all worlds...an agent you build a relationship with over the long term (one you trust and who invests in getting to know you personally) AND get a fantastic value.

After all, no matter what the cruise line or big internet agencies tell you. Who is going to look out for you personally? Who is going to learn your preferences when you travel? Who has a vested interest in making sure your trips-each one of them- are the perfect combination of a good value and a terrific memory?

Each time you call either the cruise line direct or a big faceless online agency, are you getting indifference? They are not always invested in your personal experiences. Do they know your buying experience or travel wishes beyond just the numbers in the computer?

BUY LOCAL (or through someone you can get to know!)

So...at the end of another great cup of coffee I ask each potential client that reads this to consider our company. We have a strong passion for the travel industry but an even stronger passion for customer service. It is our dearest hope to work with our clients to craft unique journeys-whether simple or complex. We believe that every trip has the potential for special memories and believe that client relationships are the foundation blocks for our long-term business!

I sit here with my second cup of coffee for the day and wonder where time went. I started this blog four months ago and time rushed by!

No slouch, I visited Florida and enjoyed watching a NASA shuttle launch with my grandfather (a WWII vet and NASA retiree) and other family. It's always an honor to learn from him and a treasure to spend time with family. The Port Canaveral area is an awesome place to spend some time- don't forget about it for space adventures, beach vacations and pre/post cruise getaways.

A DIVISION IS BORN...

After some great soul searching I decided to launch a division of Discover Your World Travel. A dear friend of mine is a police officer. After experiencing a very small part of his life and hearing the stories of what their days entail I'm awed by what first responders take in. Very much like our military heroes, fire fighters, law enforcement and EMTs face their jobs day in and day out with a great deal of grace and strength.

My heart felt goal with Stationhouse Travel, our new division, is to take my 15 years of travel experience and networking relationships to benefit this special community. First responders work tremendously hard, face jobs and situations most of never understand and their vacations are times to re-energize. I'd like to be the concierge travel specialist for this community, because they deserve a fabulous experience that begins with their first phone call all the way to the memories they bring home!

MOVIE NIGHT

Wow, I loved the book and this past week I was invited to be a part of the opening night at Lacey Regal Cinema for EAT, LOVE, PRAY. How awesome is that?

Discover Your World Travel will be representing the travel element and I couldn't be more excited. With only a week to plan and lots of client work right now, I've been busily preparing materials to have on hand. It should be a barrel of fun and I'm very excited. I'll post photos on the site and Facebook.

Coffee this week? Ravensbrew, a local Tumwater brewer. Love them. Found them by accident at our local grocer and fell in love with the brand. I tried a new blend this week I hadn't seen before- Grin & Bear It Bruin Blend. Creative, Fabulous and Flavorful. Try them, you'll be glad you did. They also brew in Alaska and have some fabulous coffee bag art.

So...the coffee is gone...time for more work!

I love my coffee! Without those first moments in the morning with that frothy goodness, I'd be lost. It perks me up and gives me supreme satisfaction. Look at that cup...doesn't it look beautiful?

Living in the Pacific Northwest is a true treat for coffee aficionados. Just like micro-breweries exploded here years ago, we now have a plethora of fantastic coffee roasters. It has become an art form and those of us who love the bean enjoy searching out the best of them.

My blog, Mocha Moments, will be a place for me to sit with a cup of coffee and share my thoughts. Most of my posts will be about the travel industry, my travels and my business- Discover Your World Travel. There will be a few other things sprinkled in for good measure. Favorite coffee roasters or coffees I've tried and things that might be on my mind. I invite you to share your thoughts with me. After all, some of the best conversations start over a great cup of coffee!