Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Kristynik.
Hi Stacy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My background was originally in Human Resources–mostly in investment banking and asset management beginning in New York City. When my husband and I got married in 1999, we moved to London for three years before we had kids. And we took every advantage of that time to travel! Weekend trips to Spain, Italy, France, Austria, etc. were easy and inexpensive– very accessible. The travel bug bit me! Fast forward years later…several moves (back to NYC, California and finally back to Texas) and two kids later…..I found myself wondering what was “next.” I loved volunteering at school, helping with community fundraisers and event planning and decided to take those organizational skills, along with my continued love of travel to launch my own luxury travel company.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I am over six years into building this business and it has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience I have ever had from a professional standpoint. However, there was a sizable learning curve — both in destination knowledge and industry knowledge — also in actively shaping and adapting the business along the way. Most agents, not unlike myself, join a host agency that provides a basic umbrella of services and affiliations to luxury brands and partnerships around the world. While my host agency is headquartered in New York, I joined at a time when they were actively trying to build out a bigger presence in the West. The group I joined was relatively small with no roadmap for me to follow. And just as I was getting a feel for the business, COVID came and delivered a devastating blow to the industry. However, during the time when the world was essentially shut down, I used the time to really focus on training and learning about various products and destinations in addition to refining what I wanted my business to look and feel like and what kind of customer experience I ultimately wanted to deliver. So, in the end, COVID wasn’t all bad…I used the time wisely.
As you know, we’re big fans of Stacy Kristynik Travel Co.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Stacy Kristynik Travel Co. is a full-service luxury travel agency affiliated with the Ovation Network. We provide seamless service from conception to completion and support the client every step of the way. While we can book hotels, air and cruises and more as a standalone service, where we shine is a highly personalized end-to-end approach. We take the time to understand your travel style, budget, preferences, and vision, then curate experiences that reflect who you are and how you like to travel. Whether it’s a boutique small ship cruise in the Mediterranean among friends, a luxury rail journey through Europe for a multi-gen family, an exclusive lodge in New Zealand for a special anniversary, island hopping in Greece for a romantic honeymoon, or a perfectly tailored journey through Italy for a family–every detail is thoughtfully designed with your travel goals in mind. We design experiences that are effortless, elevated, and unforgettable.
Firsthand destination knowledge, trusted global partnerships, and access to exclusive amenities allow us to open doors that many travelers never discover on their own and that AI simply can’t replace. Chat GPT doesn’t have the General Manager’s direct number–but I do!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up in Rosenberg, Texas (outside of Houston), I was social and active….cheerleading, school clubs and track and field. I always considered myself a take charge, “if you want it done right you have to do it yourself”, kind of person. I attended Baylor University where I loved the small school feel and all of the traditions that make it special. Some of the best memories and friends were made there. And while I have loved living in and traveling to so many places throughout the world, I am ultimately a Texas girl through and through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theovationnetwork.com/
- Instagram: @stacykristyniktravelco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacykristyniktravel/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-kristynik
- Other: @stacykristyniktravelco tik tok
Image Credits
Main Photo: Addie Taylor Photography
Additional Photos: My own personal photos from Sayulita (Mexico), Lake Lucerne (Switzerland), Santiago (Chile), Bora Bora (French Polynesia), San Antonio de Areco (Argentina) and the Hotel de Paris in front of the Casino de Monte Carlo (Monte Carlo)
