Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Perry.
Hi Teri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My background is in accounting. I received my Bachelor’s in Accounting and Master of Business Administration from the same college and worked at my alma mater; eventually accepting the position of Chief Financial Officer, even though I knew the college was under accreditation review due to financial difficulty. It was my school, I loved it deeply and wanted to do everything I could to help it. Unfortunately, despite extremely hard work by a number of employees & the community and confidential conversations with numerous other universities about merger, we ran out of time. The school closed graduated it last students in May 2018 and the final employees (myself and four others) finished the school business and locked the doors in October 2018. It was stressful and heartbreaking.
After the closing, I took about a month to process what had happened and think about what direction I wanted to take my career in. To say I was burned out by accounting would be an understatement. I definitely needed a break from this field. I started to think about what I love and what makes me happy. Immediately traveling came to mind. When I think of the sun and warm weather, I smile. Add in a beach and my whole body relaxes and my attitude lifts. I wanted to give that feeling to other people.
My MBA helped me greatly in setting up my business and I partnered with a host agency (Travel Quest Network) to gain buying power and education while having autonomy in how I ran my business.
Who knew the wild ride we would be in for just a few months later!
As Covid ramped up, business that was just beginning to take off, went dead. My first thought was to give up and go back into accounting but I gave myself two years. Two years to receive more education in the field of travel and build a customer base. To save money, I took on a lot of projects myself such as my social media strategy, advertising, and building a website. With little income driving the business, I had to be very strategic about how and where I spent money.
Clients have the option to book their vacation just about any way they want. They can book direct, use a third-party site like Expedia, Costco, etc. But there is one piece missing from each of those options and that is a real human to talk to – a person who knows what you want in a vacation, can make recommendations based on the travelers’ style, budget, expectations, likes and dislikes.
Every picture of a resort looks great on a website but how do clients know what it is really like? How do they find a boutique resort with a great beach that slows down around 8 pm every night so they can have a relaxing dinner and get to bed early so they can be ready for their 7 am excursion the next day? Or, conversely, how do customers ensure their resort has great nighttime entertainment and top-shelf alcohol? Think how disappointed they would be if the property they booked was the exact opposite of what they really wanted.
Likewise, how do clients know for sure which Universal Resort has 2 bathrooms with their 2-bedrooms suites and which just have one? Seems like a minor detail but can make a world of difference to a traveling families happiness.
Other questions I help with are: Where is there shopping? What is the nightlife like? Are there cute cafes to visit? Do you need to bring an electric adapter for your hairdryer or phone charger? What forms need to be completed and submitted for approval before you travel? What about flight carriers and resort brands? Are there ones to stay away from? What airports are great for long layovers or ones that you would like to avoid? Which resort is on a great beach and which is on a lagoon or thin beach? How is the food? What does a menu look like? Do you have to dress up for dinner or can you wear shorts?
These are things that most working professionals just do not have time to deal with and really have no interest in researching but are so important to their trip. That’s what I provide.
I also help with trip disruptions. I had a client in Disney World last year. A storm came in and flights home for his party of 6 got canceled. He was out to dinner in Disney Springs and Wi-Fi was spotty as he tried to reschedule flights and book rooms for an additional night. He texted me on a Friday at 6:30 at night. I was busy helping my daughter get ready for her Winter Carnival dance. I asked him to give me 10 minutes to finish up. I was able to rebook his flights and find rooms at the same hotel so he could just relax and enjoy Disney Springs. Had he booked with a third-party site, he would have been on his own. I was able to give him peace of mind.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Covid was literally the biggest challenge but it also came with some opportunities. If the pandemic had not happened, I would not have had the same amount of time to build my processes, procedures, and knowledge base. I’m a positive person by nature so I try to look on the bright side of things. During the pandemic, I really honed in on my specialty which is helping busy professionals plan amazing vacations and how I can best serve that demographic.
The pandemic also gave me experience in just about everything that can go wrong! Canceled trip? Check! Testing positive for Covid the day before a honeymoon couple is supposed to travel? Check! A country closing their borders? Check! Testing positive in country? Check! Lost luggage? Check! Canceled flight? Check! Missed connection? Check!
Would I have preferred to not have had to deal with these issues? Of course, but I am definitely more knowledgeable and confident because of them.
As you know, we’re big fans of Holton Travel. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Holton Travel: We are a travel agency who helps busy professionals plan amazing couple, family, and group vacations to relax and recharge; specializing in the Caribbean, Western Europe, Disney, and Universal.
We give you back time for the people and things that matter most by handling all of your vacation details and getting the best value and fit for your unique travel needs.
What sets us apart: Our destination knowledge and personalized service. There is no ‘one-size fits all’ in vacation planning. Each travel party is unique and has different needs and wants.
Why does personalized service matter: During the pandemic, I believe many people realized they didn’t just want to take vacations anymore. They wanted to have experiences. They wanted to get off the beaten path but often were not sure how and didn’t have the time to research. I think there is a resurgence toward using a travel agent so clients can have these experiences and feel confident in their travel. It makes them much more likely to try more and more new things – to go somewhere they have never gone before but always wanted to. Being a part of that process is one of the most amazing parts of my job. When a clients send a text with a picture of themselves at The Colosseum and says, “Thank you – I have been dreaming of doing this for 20 years!” How can you not be moved by that? I love it.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Be flexible – things may (and likely will) change.
Be prepared – something will likely get mixed up on each trip. It is just the nature of travel these days. I can do my best for them but once they start on a trip, everything is out of my hands. I always prep my clients on various situations and how I will support them. Baggage gets lost, departure gates get changed, flights get canceled. I can’t control any of that but I can support my clients and guide them toward the best possible outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HoltonTravel.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/HoltonTravel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TeriHoltonTravel
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-m-perry/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@holtontravel
