Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Agee.
Hi Angela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for international travel started at the age of 12. I went on an international mission trip to Romania. For those who are unaware, mission trips aren’t solely about serving other people. They are also great opportunities to learn about the culture of the people and their lifestyle, as well as teaches you things about yourself. Because this is the foundation of how I began traveling internationally, when I travel now for leisure, I make sure to take full advantage of cultural emersion, try new things, and learn from/interact with the locals. By doing these things, I almost always learn something about myself or learn to appreciate my blessings and privileges.
As I began to travel more, I was constantly being approached by people asking me how I travel so often, how to find travel deals, and travel safety tips. I was encouraged to launch my own travel company. I am hoping to reach those who are new to traveling. Although I work with experienced travelers, my passion is to help those clients who have little travel experience and encourage them to get started by taking away the tedious task of planning a trip from start to finish. As I work with clients to create tailored travel experiences, I always encourage them to try something new, learn a little about the culture, and enjoy the luxuries of rest and relaxation.
In 2022 I officially became a certified travel agent.
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?
My biggest challenge so far is learning how to manage social media and create content. Personally, I have never been one to post a lot on social media. But I am aware one of the primary ways to reach people and grow a business is by using creative social media marketing. I am working with a social media manager to learn how to vamp up my social media presence and confidence. I know I can create memorable travel experiences for my clients. But now, I am learning how to document these experiences and share them through various social media platforms.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Travel by Noelle?
Travel by Noelle is my travel company. I am a travel agent as well as a travel consultant. Most travel agents only book trips while a travel consultant plans trips from start to finish. My primary focus and passion is being a travel consultant. I specialize in creating customized itineraries for various group sizes from solo trips to large group trips. Not only will I plan the trip, but I will also coordinate everything from transportation, guided tours, and even personal chefs and hotel/Airbnb decorations for special events.
I’m known for planning group trips and creating itineraries that ensure everyone in the group is able to do something they enjoy. For group trip itineraries, I typically plan one group activity and one planned group meal each day. People tend to like this most because it leaves plenty of time for leisure. Traveling can be exhausting. I never want a group to come back from one of my trips feeling like the schedule was too packed, and they had no time for any R&R (rest and relaxation). Because I am aware everyone in a group may not want to do the same activities or tours, I will include a list of alternative activities. I do this so no traveler has to do their own research on other activities in the area. Also, the alternative activity list comes in handy for the designated free time built into the itinerary.
The types of activities I include will depend on the kind of trip. But as I discussed earlier, I always try to include at least one activity that will encourage travelers to learn or experience something about the culture and people in that area.
If you are looking to plan a trip for either yourself or your next group trip with family or friends, Travel by Noelle would love to help!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As I continue to grow both personally, professionally, and in my travel, I’ve learned that risk-taking is often inevitable. Ultimately, risk-taking is about making a decision that causes us to have to do something out of our norm or comfort zone. Some people avoid risk-taking because it may result in “loss.” I acknowledge this is a possibility of every risk. However, when I am weighing whether or not I’m going to take a risk, I always consider whether the risk is worth the reward. And if the risk results in failure or loss, will the experience be something I can learn from. I think people part-take in risk-taking more than they think.
I have taken risks every time I travel internationally. Going to places like Thailand, where there is a language barrier, is a risk. Or places like Dubai, where there are some strict cultural and religious norms to be aware of, is also a risk. Despite doing all my research prior to a trip, I am always aware of the possibility that while traveling to foreign countries, I could unknowingly do something that is offensive or illegal in that country. But I take these risks because the joy and knowledge I get from these experiences are worth the risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://form.jotform.com/travelxnoelle/travel-planning-questionnaire-
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/travelxnoelle
- Other: https://travelbynoelle.globaltravel.com/
Image Credits
Joi Caruthers Photography
