Today we’d like to introduce you to P. Michele Talley.
Hi P. Michele, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started in the travel industry in the 1990’s. I worked for several airlines and went to travel school when they were still around. After graduation it was difficult to break into the industry with my limited experience but eventually I did and I’ve worked in both corporate and leisure travel agencies. Once, I worked in a niche scuba diving agency where I became a certified scuba diver. Eventually, I branched out on my own and had an agency in Kansas City, MO in a chic area called Westport. However, changes in the world and the travel industry took place and the airlines ended a long relationship with travel agencies by no longer paying commission. This created a direct impact especially on corporate travel agencies and resulted in the closure of hundreds of travel agencies nationwide. Then 9/11 happened and travel agencies were struggling to stay afloat. That’s when I decided to close my agency and move to Florida and start a new career, However, as the saying goes “when travel gets in your blood, it’s hard to break free” and frankly I loved the industry. Eventually I opened a new agency and decided to niche it into creating Cultural + Culinary Experiences to Africa and the Caribbean. I chose to focus particularly on Africa, a diverse and rich continent, because of its unparalleled cultural and culinary depth, artistic expression, and historical significance. And because it had so much of the world’s natural resources and beauty. I’ve always been passionate about connecting travelers with authentic experiences, and so I began curating unique itineraries that include culture and traditional food and wine.
In addition, my love for books prompted me to author my first book, “I Do, Now Let’s Eat!,” a cookbook for Newlyweds which has been on Amazon for 15 years. My latest book “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere: How to Host an Elegant Cocktail Party,” prompted me to create The Cocktail Party Box, a seasonal box of curated products by women-owned businesses for hosting elegant cocktail parties.
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?
There have been many challenges. Navigating the world of social media and marketing often feels like a full-time career on its own. Additionally, there’s the ongoing task of changing the widespread perception that Africa has little to offer—whether in terms of sightseeing, history, cuisine, beaches, or modern conveniences. However, based on my experience, once people visit, their perspective changes completely.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I chose to focus particularly on Africa, a diverse and rich continent, because of its deep cultural heritage, dynamic communities, and immense potential global impact.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Road trips with my Dad and grandmother in his Lincoln Continental Mark IV. This is where my love for travel began.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.btgetaways.com
- Instagram: @btgetaways
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btgetaways
