Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Brown.
Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Some people chase comfort — I’ve always chased growth.
I went to college for a few years but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. My journey really began in a corporate travel call center, booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. I’ll never forget my very first call after six weeks of training — I froze. I put the customer on hold, teared up, and told my manager, “I don’t know what to do.”
She asked, “Well, what does the customer want?”
I said, “A rental car.”
She smiled and said, “Then ask what size. Ask where. Ask the dates. You’ve got this.”
That small exchange became a defining moment. Every time I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone since, fear shows up first — but growth always follows. That lesson has shaped every part of my career and life.
From that call center, I moved into leisure travel, booking escorted tours and river cruises. I loved helping people see the world, but I was only earning 20% of the commission while the company kept 80%. After years of making someone else rich, I finally asked myself: Why not build my own business and keep 100% of what I earn?
That question changed everything. I went independent and launched Go For Less Tours, determined to create a business rooted in passion, integrity, and personal connection. Fifteen years later, I’m proud to say I built the kind of life I used to dream about — one where growth never stops and every challenge becomes an opportunity to evolve.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I’ve learned that smooth roads don’t build strong travelers.
When I went independent, I had no safety net. No paycheck waiting, no clients lined up — just faith, determination, and a deep belief that I could create something better. There were moments I sat at my desk wondering if I’d made a huge mistake. The phone was quiet, the inbox was empty, and fear crept in. But I kept showing up anyway. I marketed, learned, networked, and built relationships one conversation at a time.
Eventually, momentum began to grow. Then came 2020. Overnight, travel stopped. My business — my entire livelihood — disappeared. I remember sitting in silence, thinking, What now? But instead of giving up, I shifted my focus. I stayed connected with my clients, sent check-in emails, and reminded them that the world would open again — and when it did, I’d be ready to help them explore it.
That mindset saved my business. When travel came back, my clients came back too — stronger, more loyal, and more appreciative than ever.
The journey has tested me in every way, but it’s also shown me what I’m capable of. I learned that resilience isn’t built in the easy times — it’s forged when everything falls apart and you keep going anyway.
As you know, we’re big fans of Go For Less Tours. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m the owner of Go For Less Tours, a boutique travel agency I launched back in 2009. I specialize in luxury river cruises, ocean cruises, and escorted tours — working with brands like Viking, Avalon Waterways, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Trafalgar.
What sets my agency apart is the personal connection. My clients know I’m hands-on from the first quote to the moment they return home. I handle every detail personally — flights, transfers, insurance, special requests — so they can focus on what really matters: the experience.
I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve built for trust and loyalty. Over 90% of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Many of them have traveled with me for more than a decade — they’ve become like family.
Before the pandemic, I specialized mostly in escorted tours. But after travel reopened, I naturally gravitated toward the luxury cruise market because that’s where client demand — and my own passion — truly aligned. I love connecting people with travel that feels meaningful, comfortable, and effortless.
At its heart, Go For Less Tours is more than a business — it’s proof that freedom is possible when you build something you love. My goal is simple: to make luxury travel accessible, stress-free, and unforgettable for every client I serve.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve never relied on luck — but I do believe in timing and alignment.
There have been moments in my life that looked like luck from the outside, but I know they came from preparation meeting opportunity. I’ve learned that when you keep showing up, stay consistent, and trust the process, the right doors open when they’re meant to.
Starting my business felt like a leap of faith, but it was years of experience, resilience, and intuition that made it work. Even challenges that once felt like bad luck — like the pandemic shutting down travel — ended up being blessings in disguise. They forced me to grow, pivot, and come back stronger.
I’ve also experienced what I call “universal nudges.” Little moments of synchronicity that remind me I’m on the right path — a client referral arriving just when I needed it, or an unexpected opportunity that perfectly aligns with where I’m headed.
So, whether you call it luck or divine timing, I believe life rewards those who stay ready, keep faith through uncertainty, and move forward with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goforlesstours.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goforlesstours1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goforlesstours/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goforlesstours/
- Twitter: https://x.com/goforlesstours
Image Credits
Doodle Notions Creative Studio
Avalon Waterways River Cruises
