Today we’d like to introduce you to Britta Ward.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Britta. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew I wanted to work in hospitality. My parents helped me find the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. I loved everything about the program and all the great work experience I received from the connections made there. This great work experience helped me realize that operational hospitality in hotel, restaurant and country clubs was not right for me. I craved the office job where you get weekends off and aren’t expected to work holidays.
Graduation came and I was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to make my office job a reality while still being in hospitality. I was ready to do some soul searching and planned a road trip with my younger brother to California. When I explained my intentions to my mom, she advised me to pack up my car like I was moving and if I didn’t find a job she would come fly out and drive me home. This was a huge turning point in my career. I started to reach out to anyone I knew with a connection to California to find interviews and a place to live.
My brother and I drove to California Christmas Day 2016. I had an apartment lined up in San Diego and two interviews. Then I got the call from an old classmate and coworker. She helped me get an interview at a luxury travel agency in Beverly Hills. I took the leap of faith and went even though I wasn’t living in Los Angeles. Driving into Beverly Hills for the first time was so magical. The streets are so clean and white and I felt like I was in a fairy tale. When I received the news that I had been given an offer I spent the next two days finding a place to live.
It’s hard to describe what we do as most people expect a walk-in store where we sell packages and cruises. I trained in personalized trips with flights, car transfers, touring, hotels and more. I trained under some of the top agents in Los Angeles and had my hand in high-level leisure trips, production travel, comedian touring and lots of corporate. I have a passion for traveling and this industry never ceases to amaze me. After working entertainment and leisure travel in Los Angeles for two years I got homesick for Texas. I was able to find an amazing company here, Strong Travel Services. I am one of the flight experts in the office, service C level Executives and of course family vacations and honeymoons.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have felt incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to work in travel. With every job comes hardship. One of the hardest parts about being a travel advisor is the “fear of missing out”. Most of us work in an office full time. There are some incredible trips I have been on with this career, however, the best way for me to service clients is by being on call and in the office. I see and follow other agents as we all share our adventures on social media and it’s a good way for me to stay in the loop of trends and ask for their firsthand experience. With that comes the missing out component. Even planning trips for clients can make me envious but at the end of the day it is what I love to do and I live through their trips.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Strong Travel Services story. Tell us more about the business.
Strong Travel Services is a family-owned and operated agency in Dallas. We are one of the top luxury agencies in Dallas and one of the originals. As a company, we specialize in personalized travel itineraries. We are incredible at logistics of travel when moving from one place to another. I specialize in fast-paced corporate travel for financial advisers and lawyers of Dallas.
I also work to service clients on their leisure vacations and honeymoons. I am known for being one of the fasted responders, which comes in handy with the corporate clients. I keep myself available for any and all delays and anticipate them before they happen. We work on preventative measures especially when weather is involved rather than reactive. I work directly with hotels and airlines to have the most control when I’m VIPing clients and ensuring that their holiday is incredible.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t truly believe in luck. All of my successes have had to do with my ability to network. I try and keep connect with as many people as I can and help them when I can. It really comes back around with all the jobs I’ve received. I would never be where I am now without knowing who I know and fostering relationships.
Pricing:
- 39.00 per person round trip transaction fee for airfare
- 250.00 per person planning fee for extensive leisure trips
Contact Info:
- Address: 8235 Douglas Ave
Suite 1040
Dallas, TX 75225 - Website: https://www.strongtravel.com/
- Phone: 214-258-6911
- Email: britta@strongtravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whereisbrittanow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhereisBrittaNow/
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