Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne-Marie Stayton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I had a nearly 20-year career in residential Real Estate, primarily on the finance side. I stepped away from my career to focus on raising my children. Last Christmas I noticed every single present I was giving loved ones was some kind of encouragement for them to travel – from packing cubes to books on the best road trips in the US. I realized I was coming to terms with the deep value and meaning of travel; it provides much-needed perspective on the great big world there is out there. I also noticed how often my friends and loved ones deferred planning a trip because of how daunting it can be to make sense of all the different elements.
I started The Katy Travel Lady with those things in mind, hoping to make meaningful travel more accessible. I’ve found the skills I developed in my former career to be particularly helpful in navigating the intricacies of travel providers and trip planning. I’m organized and detail-oriented by design, which lends itself well to creating custom itineraries that facilitate getaways that are more than just a trip somewhere. My clients are creating core memories, and I have the privilege of quieting the noise around their travel plans to make that happen.
Since launching The Katy Travel Lady in May of this year, I’ve planned 35 trips to 12 different countries, including private villas, excursions, cruises, lodging, airport transportation, and beyond. I am living my absolute dream and getting to help others dream too!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The ramp up has been so interesting. The industry is so vast, and there’s infinite ways to grow and learn. It took me some time to figure out how and where I wanted to show up. Growing up I was totally averse to self-employment; I loved the perceived security of working for someone else and having detailed roadmaps in front of me for how to solve problems and move things forward. Creating a business from the ground up is certainly a new challenge! I’ve found, though, that building something that’s entirely mine, something that I can put out to the world as a representation of myself and the things I value is such a privilege.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an independent travel agent through Fora Travel. My business is called The Katy Travel Lady. I create and organize trips and custom travel itineraries for clients both domestically and internationally. My services span from the minute to the colossal. Some of my clients have airfare and lodging booked but need airport transportation and an itinerary of activities in their destination, and then some clients want a soup-to-nuts experience. I’m happy to help with all of it. I’m especially proud of the custom itineraries I have made for clients. I spend time with each of my clients getting to know them and understanding their priorities and desires. Once I have a picture of what they’re after, I curate an itinerary to meet each of their desires and preferences.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is twofold:
Foremost, success is the confirmation of someone’s broadened perspective. I do what I do to open up the world to people.
A very close second is hearing, “This trip wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t planned it, and I couldn’t have done it better myself.” I’m proud to say I’ve heard that numerous times, and it never gets old.
Pricing:
- Planning Fee: $250
- Consultation Meeting (45 minutes): $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katytravellady.com
- Instagram: @katytravellady
- Other: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/anne-marie-stayton
