Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Cancino.
Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi there! I’m Jen and I own Skyfire Travel, a savvy luxe travel agency where we curate amazing journeys to help you explore, exquisitely! I am honored and humbled for the opportunity to be invited to share my story with you. I hope I can inspire you to take a chance on yourself as well. Here we go!
Growing up from humble beginnings and the youngest of my siblings, I was always focused and aspired to do bigger and better things. I was, and still am, bold and a risk taker. Yet some would accuse me of being a bit bougie and a dreamer, and I’ll accept all those titles. After all, a Queen’s crown does have many faceted diamonds in it. Lol! Honestly, I do not take myself too seriously – life throws too many curveballs to do so. My mother was a strong Mexican-American woman who sacrificed so much for her kids, I was taught from a young age to respect, work hard and to put family and education first.
As a fiery redhead growing up in Houston’s East End, it was a bit tough to blend in. I was Mexican and Irish with a thirst for knowledge and adventure. I didn’t know where I fit in – as a Latina or a Gringa? All I knew was that I identified more with my Mexican roots and my mother’s heritage. I guess coming from two different worlds sparked my fascination with different cultures, people and places, far and wide. My love for travel was born from this. To know me is to know that I am a girly girl, yet tough, I’m the bestie who is brutally honest, and I’m everyone’s Aunt Jen – I love and embrace everyone. I am also the girl that told herself “I’d rather try to reach for my dreams and fail than to be someone who regretted never even trying at all”. So…I became the girl that took a chance on herself.
But life happened and taking a chance on myself had to wait. I was thrust into the working world shortly after finishing high school to help pay bills and care for my ill mother. I dabbled in many careers within prominent Fortune 500 companies, was a Paralegal for a while, and then became a Flight Attendant. I found my place in life – a career that settled well with me, with my dreams and in my soul – TRAVEL! I love people, I love travel and adventure and I love discovering and embracing new things.
That was 20 years ago. Yes, you heard correctly, It took half of my life to find myself and true calling. I enjoyed trekking around the globe, learning and discovering new places and cultures, then I met my soulmate and future husband, and guess what? He also loved travelling as much as I did! As the years passed by, we travelled together as well as tried to start a family of our own naturally, but that was not in the cards for us, so I had to regroup and take another chance on myself – finishing college in my Forties! I was accepted into Texas A&M and boy did I earn that degree! I learned the history of many cultures, civilizations and learned new languages along the way. Once I graduated, we went on to adopt our amazing son and our family was complete. We began to travel more now as a family with a small child, and all the things that came with that. Lol.
I decided to open our travel agency – Skyfire Travel – because travel is not just visiting a place for Instagram moments and cheap souvenirs, it’s about learning and growing and wandering this magical planet for adventure and human connection. From all that I have learned from my life’s experiences, travels and meeting people from all walks of life, backgrounds and beliefs, I can honestly say that my view of this amazing, whole world around us has taken my breath away. I want to share my expertise with others, giving them the same opportunity to discover things on their own and be bold in doing so. Traveling makes you a story teller, a history buff and a witness to things you only hear about. I love what I do and I love the gift that keeps giving – Travel.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Actually, before starting Skyfire Travel, I was very blessed to have spent the last 8 years working exclusively in the luxury travel space. During those 8 years, and the years before as a Flight Attendant, I learned when to travel, where to stay, what to do and how to save. In fact, our family of 3 recently took an amazing Thanksgiving Holiday trip to Dubai and experienced a $15,000 luxury vacation for only $6,000! I curated this trip myself, as I do with all our family vacations to some amazing spots like Iceland, Hawaii, Italy and Disney – to name a few. Friends and family are always telling me, “You should start your own travel agency!” I’d usually shy away from the idea of making a career out of my love for travel, but this time I just took a leap of faith and did it.
I can say that the road to starting my agency was not such a struggle, until the logistics came into play. I started Skyfire Travel with my husband, and, although we make a great team, starting a new business in this day and age comes with challenges that I wasn’t prepared for, such as coming up with a name for the business. I wanted to make sure that the name of the company had a matching domain name available so that I could use the same name for legal, commercial and marketing purposes. After coming up with dozens of potential company names, we finally settled on Skyfire Travel. It felt right, what we were about. I was thrilled that the name was available so I purchased the domain and quickly set out to design my own logo. Then came all the other details. Now keep in mind that I already had a small Virtual Assistant business – Jen Can Assist – that had been going strong for over 8 years, so opening up another business was scary. The one major hurdle I have been struggling with is learning so many new things that I didn’t realize I needed to learn, such as AI and harnessing social media. I toil day and night to learn these platforms, to put myself out there and to try new things. Filming and taking photos, interviewing random people when traveling, webinars, etc… you name it. Adapting to new technology is something that has to happen in order to continue to grow my business so I must also adapt to the ever-changing world of tech and social media. My hard work is starting to pay off and I’ve been blessed that people are finding Skyfire Travel on social media and taking notice. To be featured in Voyage Houston Magazine is an unexpected surprise and a true blessing that I am grateful to receive!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Skyfire Travel, our expertise lies in curating unforgettable experiences tailored to the most discerning travelers, on any budget. As a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) as well as a member of the Virtuoso consortia, I take great pride in meticulously crafting every aspect of your journey, ensuring a flawlessly orchestrated & unforgettable experience. You will definitely have journeys to remember & stories to tell.
So why Skyfire Travel? I like to think of myself as a savvy luxe traveler. Think about chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland or camel riding and surfing the sand dunes in Dubai. I can make it all happen, and have. Traveling with a young child, his grandmother, my husband and myself, and having life-long back issues has made me an expert in multi-generational travelling. Not to mention accessibility travel. I can curate any type of trip you can imagine, such as a much needed cruise to relax, fun in the sun family vacations, as well as epic Girls’, or Guys’, trips, etc… I am certified with many amazing travel suppliers such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess Cruises, Disney and other trusted vendors in the travel industry.
I often get asked what’s the point in booking with a travel agent, and here is what I want you to know – as a luxury travel agent, my role is to transform a simple trip into an extraordinary, seamless, and personalized experience. I don’t just book trips, I unlock experiences. My global network of top-tier hotels, private guides, and exclusive operators means you get exclusive access and VIP treatment such as complimentary upgrades, VIP Status and exclusive experiences.
You also receive my time, expertise, and customization. Your time is your most valuable luxury. I save you hours of research and planning, ensuring every detail aligns with your unique style and desires. I craft an itinerary that is truly yours, not one pulled from a template. I consider your pace, your passions, and your preferences. And I just don’t stop there – I provide insider knowledge that booking websites simply can’t. I know the best time to visit, the most reliable local drivers, and the hidden gems you won’t find in a guidebook.
When you work with Skyfire Travel, you are ensuring your trip to seamless logistics. I handle all the complicated details – connecting flights, private transfers, visa requirements, and time zone changes – making your journey flow effortlessly from door to door.
And with all this you are given peace of mind. When you travel with me, you are never alone. I am your personal advocate. If something goes wrong – a service issue, a billing dispute – I step in to represent your best interests and ensure you receive the service you paid for. I vet every element of your trip. You won’t end up in an outdated hotel room or with an unreliable transfer service, as I only work with partners who meet my high standards for luxury and service.
I take great pride in creating wonderful experiences for my clients and my brand reflects this. Skyfire Travel is not just a travel agency that can deliver savvy luxe travel, we can deliver unforgettable experiences, magical memories and great stories for you to tell as you explore this world exquisitely!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I like to follow Mel Robinson. She is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She has amassed 35 million followers online and is one of the most respected experts in mindset, life improvement, and behavior change. Her lessons are life-changing and I feel that everyone should listen to what she has to say. I have learned some valuable tips from her and, as Oprah would say, gathered a few “Aha” moments as well.
I also enjoy learning more about AI and what it all entails. There is so much to know and do in this ever- changing world of tech and social media. It is daunting and hard to keep up, but it is imperative to stay in the mainstream as a business owner.
I am always looking into different resources to grow and learn, both in my personal and professional life. I follow Jefferson Fisher. He gives the best advice on how to handle certain social situations as well as personal growth and inspiration. I highly recommend following him on both Facebook and Instagram.
On the book front, I love Tiffany Moon’s book, Joy Prescriptions. She is a physician, an author, a mom and wife, Real Housewives of Dallas alumni and a very successful entrepreneur. Her journey from being overwhelmed with work, family, and spreading herself too thin across the board, to balancing it all is very inspirational. Grab a copy and start to balance your life too! It has helped me in juggling my life!
Pricing:
- A non-refundable Planning fee is charged up front and the amount varies upon the complexity of the trip ranging between $100 to $500.
- You are guaranteed at least three (3) proposals to choose from based on your trip requests, which will then turn into your custom made itinerary.
- I will work with you every step of the way from creating your magical trip to your return home.
Contact Info:
- Website: skyfiretravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SkyfireTravel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Skyfire-Travel-61574147109180/
- Other: info@skyfiretravel.com
