FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I start with a free discovery call to get to know you — your travel style, must-haves, budget, and the kind of trip you're dreaming about. From there, I put together a custom itinerary tailored specifically to you (no cookie-cutter templates here). We'll go back and forth to fine-tune details until it feels exactly right, and once you're ready to book, I handle all the logistics — flights, hotels, transfers, activities — so you don't have to juggle a dozen tabs and confirmation emails. Once your trip is booked, I stay in your corner leading up to departure, answering questions and making adjustments as needed. And if anything comes up while you're traveling, I'm just a message away. If you're planning a trip with a group of friends or family, I offer the same hands-on process — just let me know your group size and I'll tailor things accordingly.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My training comes from 27+ years of hands-on experience in the travel industry — not just theory, but real, on-the-ground expertise. I'm affiliated with Travel Leaders, one of the largest host travel agencies in North America, which gives me access to industry training, supplier relationships, and resources that most independent agents don't have. Beyond the professional side, I've personally traveled to 27+ countries, which means I'm not just booking hotels off a screen — I'm recommending places I've actually stayed, restaurants I've actually eaten at, and experiences I know firsthand are worth your time (and money).
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
Travel has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I turned that passion into a career over 27 years ago. I actually started out owning my own travel business early on, and along the way I've worked with major group bookings, built countless custom itineraries, and personally explored 27+ countries — which only deepened my love for helping others experience the world. I founded SJ Travel Co because I wanted to create something more personal — a place where clients get a travel advisor who's not just booking a trip, but sharing real, firsthand knowledge from someone who's actually been there. Whether it's a quiet villa in the Italian countryside or a champagne-soaked weekend in Reims, I want my clients to feel like they're getting insider advice from a friend, not a cookie-cutter package from a website. At the end of the day, I do this work because there's nothing better than seeing someone come back from a trip completely changed — more relaxed, more inspired, or just happier. That's the whole reason I do this.