Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantre Stokes.
Hi Chantre, 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 started Tre’s Travel Group because I wanted to travel myself. I was always the one in school or focused on my career that didn’t go out on adventures. I’m 2020, after becoming established after college, I decided I wanted to take a big international trip but I didn’t have any friends that we’re able to go with me. So, I decided to just book the trip myself solo. It was a multi-county European trip that would have slammed Italy, France, London, and Switzerland…then the pandemic hit and everything fell through. I was devastated, to say the least. I still wanted to go somewhere though but at that point, I didn’t know when that would happen. I received so much praise for even taking that leap of faith and booking the trip solo. I still didn’t understand because I’ve done countless cross-country road trips solo since I was 19. This all sparked something within me, to want to help other people that wanted to travel but weren’t comfortable doing international adventures by themselves. So, Tre’s Travel was born. This also sparked Tre’s Travel Fit because I’m on my own journey to be a healthier version of myself leading up to every trip, so I document my journey in that regard as well. So, as I travel in-country, I’ll showcase those experiences so that both travel and fitness are shown on my social for my followers to enjoy
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road by any means. Every single one of the trips I had planned for 2021 and 2022 was canceled due to pandemic-related reasoning or itinerary supplier issues.
I’ve had to start completely over this year and it’s been a struggle. Trying to stay motivated when my number of travelers aren’t as they were, or trying to put back together the itineraries as much as possible working with a completely new supplier is nerve-racking, to say the least
I’m definitely not giving up though because I know my hard work will pay off. I don’t care if I have 2 ladies join me…I’m going! We will have a blast and enjoy every minute of it!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Professionally, I own a second corporate housing business where I provide housing for traveling nurses and other professionals in multiple states. I’ve just started this business as well and doing a complete rebranding this year. Starting 2 completely different businesses during a pandemic…sometimes I wonder what the heck I’m thinking even to this day. But I love them both and wouldn’t trade them for the world
I’m known mostly for my corporate housing business. I’ve recently started opening up more about that and showing the day-to-day in that business on my Instagram page. I’m not as social media savvy as some other professionals but I’m slowly getting the hang of it. I want other
I am most proud of just my ability to work hard for over a year and not give up. No one really tells you the ins and outs of what struggles you’ll go through as a business owner. Of course, everyone says it’s hard, but you can’t really be prepared for how hard until you get into it. I knew I was strong but some days, I second guess my ability to stay strong…mostly when things aren’t going well. It’s those times when I truly realize how much I want this for my life.
I envision myself in 5 years on a completely different level. Having employees. No more me by myself being Wonder Woman. I could say I’ll enjoy no longer being as stressed as I am today, but I also know I’ll have a different level of stress. The kind of stress that comes with not being the direct contact and hoping that employees treat your clients the way you would treat them…the way I’ve treated them to help build.
I think that is what sets me apart from others. Literally, everything is what sets me apart. I’m traveling to set up my travel clients, they have direct contact with me as the owner. I’m traveling on my group trips, so my clients will have that security that I’m going to so everything has to go perfectly. I’m responding to emails at 10 pm if I’m up just so my potential clients don’t have to wait for a response if they’re needing housing quickly.
It’s me…what sets me apart from everyone else is me…no one else has me. My drive. My passion. My work ethic. My adaptability. I know I’m meant for more and I won’t stop until I get there
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I found (and tweaked) my business model for my corporate rental business after a messy breakup. I was in bed going through emotions, and scrolling through Instagram. I saw an ad, 5 slides later… my vision was born and I was researching what I needed and trying to find my first partnership.
My alarm goes off at 4 am every weekday. On weekends I’m up by 6:30 am naturally. I worked at Starbucks throughout college and I just cannot seem to kick the habit lol. My dogs are the same way, they know the morning routine and are ready to work out with me any day.
I answer texts and emails at 4 am. Then I exercise with my dogs. When I come home I make my scheduled task list for the day on my phone. Throughout the day I check things off, add more, remove…whatever needs to be done. Some days I don’t do anything as part of my self-care plan
I believe in starting my day early. I believe in making a plan (big or small) to help me feel accomplished. I have dry-erase oversized calendars in my room that helps me
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