Today, we’d like to introduce you to Julie de la Fe.
Hi Julie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It’s been a crazy ride, and I’m not sure that it would be the same story for anyone else. About seven years ago, I started an Instagram account (@sonshine.adventures) about all of our Disney fun and started a community that shared that love. I was teaching and a single mom. It was a place of escape.
A couple of years later, the stress of teaching and not making enough to make ends meet for my son and me led me to look for new avenues. Teaching Math for 14 years had left me a little burnt out on all ends. I loved Disney and wanted to travel so badly. Disney was like “home” to us, and I know it like the back of my hand. My good friends, the Elrod family, kept talking to me about becoming a travel planner. And well, two months before leaving teaching, I started with Travelmation.
So, I started. Knowing a lot about Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and Universal Orlando, but I was committed to learning more about other vendors because I wanted to see the world too. Most of my vacations planned in March of 2022 (when I started with Travelmation) until the end of 2023 were Disney World and Cruises. However, as I researched more, listened to vendors, and built relationships with companies, I was able to help clients take their dream vacations all over the world. I’m even planning one of ours for next summer to see many of the Harry Potter filming locations in England and Scotland and will be opening it to others too.
I book vacations big and small and really try to listen to clients to see what plans will match their vision. I’m so thankful for the trust both Tim Elrod and Adam Duckworth give me. The encouragement from Lia Nelson, Kristen Volz, Heather Hardaway, and others holds me up.
I’ve been given opportunities like Disney Cruises, Walt Disney World trips, and a preview sailing on the Utopia of the Seas in order to share these experiences with clients and help them more with their trips. They’ve been eye-opening for me. Our agency is great about information sharing, and I’m so happy I’m able to return some of that to others now. But I’m ALWAYS learning!
This year is my first time traveling, and it has really become full-time for me, and I’m so thankful. I’m looking forward to what the future has! Others see my life as a lot of fun, and it really is, but it’s also a lot of work. It’s work that I choose to do, and I love it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Late nights, early mornings and the pressure of not forgetting anything. Travel agents are really never off. I’m so thankful to have an assistant to help as of this year.
Life has not been easy for me in the past decade at all. I lost a daughter 36 weeks pregnant, lost my father to cancer, and had my husband leave a few months after that. Trying to support my son and me on my own has always been a struggle, so having a job that pays on commission months later can be unnerving.
My faith plays a big role in all of this. I really believe God is honoring a step of faith in my life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Travelmation Julie de la Fe?
I love planning trips for others! Theme parks, cruises, luxury, all-inclusive, group travel, tours, there really is nothing out of bounds for me.
A big advantage for me was having an authentic social media presence before starting this job. I try to always be honest, so people really trust my opinion and thoughts. I really do love the brand that my son and I have created.
I’m BIG on relationships. Relationships with clients, vendors… I think that really does set me apart a bit. If you love to travel or are even nervous about traveling, I’d love to help. If I’m not sure that I can help, I will try to find an agent who can!
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
I wish I would have known just to ask questions. Be curious. Do the research. Get good people around you. These have all been HUGE for me.
None of this happened overnight (even though it looks like it does to some). It’s been years of work, and last year was tough financially. I’m still digging out of the teaching/starting a business stage of life.
Give yourself grace and take a chance if you feel like something is what you are called to do!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travelmation.net/juliedelafe
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonshine.adventures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Travelmation-Julie-de-la-Fe-100075591113649/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sonshine.adventures/featured?app=desktop
Image Credits
Royal Caribbean, Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya, Tina Chiu, and Alli Kiste
