Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanai Benard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Honestly, the creation of Wandering Moms happened on a whim. In 2015, I was a single mother of three living and working overseas in the United Arab Emirates. During the time, I was apart of a Facebook group called, Nomadness Travel Tribe. Nomadness consist of several thousand members from around the globe that simply have one thing in common, their love for travel. Every year, Nomadness host an annual BBQ somewhere in the United States for all of their members. In 2015, That year, the tribe takeover was set to take place in Atlanta, GA.
When I travel, I like to travel on a budget, and since I was traveling solo, I decided to forgo a hotel room during my visit to Atlanta. All I required was a place to lay my head for a few hours. In search of a place to stay in Atlanta for the weekend, I placed a post within the Nomadness Facebook group asking any local BBQ attendees if they had a couch I could occupy for the weekend. After filtering through the responses and Facebook stalking respondents, I decided that stranger, Libryia Jones, would be my gracious host for the weekend.
Before heading to Atlanta, Libryia and I had many conversations and realized we had more than just travel in common. We both were single mothers who not only acknowledged the educational value of travel but made it a point to show our children the world through travel. Between our two families, we had amassed pages of passport stamps. We knew we needed to share our knowledge with other mothers.
We decided that while I was in Atlanta, we would host a free brunch workshop to lay out the game plan of how to conquer the globe with children while on a budget. Our first brunch had a whopping seven attendees. Believe it or not, it exceeded our expectations. What we knew for sure was if no one showed up, we would still enjoy a good brunch and fellowship amongst ourselves.
After brunch, we decided that we needed a way to share photographs and keep in contact with our lovely seven attendees. We figured the easiest way to communicate was to create a Facebook group. We did just that and named it Wandering Moms. Over the last 3.5 years, that Facebook group has grown from a few members to over 17,000 moms worldwide who want to give their children the world.
Wandering Moms became a place where we collectively provide support and resources for those who live abroad and/or are traveling with their children in tow. Wandering Moms is now comprised of fabulous mothers who are single, married, or widowed. Some have newborns, while others are empty-nesters; some are stay at home moms, while others produce six-figure incomes. Our members range from a multitude of ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds.
After seeing so many sisterly bonds formed within Wandering Moms, Libryia and I decided it was time to take those relationships beyond the computer screen. We created the company Wandering Moms LLC and began curating amazing group travel experiences for our members and their families.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha, Of course not! I don’t think the words business and the smooth road can even be used in the same sentence.
Initially, our biggest challenge as we were forming Wandering Moms wasn’t a financial one but one of time. We both were single mothers with full-time careers who lived in different countries. There was about a nine-hour time zone difference between us. Trying to schedule a brainstorm business meeting that was within reasonable hours for both of us was a huge roadblock.
For both of us, entrepreneurship has brought about a battle of trying to balance parenthood, full-time employment, and the journey of partnership.
In all honesty, entrepreneurship is a test like no other. There are days when you second guess if you are living and walking in your purpose through your business.
Just today, during our weekly meeting, I had to apologize to my business partner, Libryia. I had to acknowledge to her that in this very moment, I was drowning and overwhelmed, and our business had taken a backseat to life.
Along with running a business, life was still happening at the speed of life. My children had been faced with the death of their father and grandmother. I am in the process of buying a house and planning a wedding all taking place in the next 60 days. Life is overwhelming, to say the least, and trying to run a business and keep up with life can make anyone tap out of entrepreneurship on any given day. It’s the reality of it!
Luckily, I have an amazing business partner/sister, who is extremely understanding. She took that moment to adjust my crown and encourage me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
In 2018, we decided to grow the Wandering Moms brand from solely a Facebook group into a business that provides opportunities for families to travel together. We realized that many of our members wanted to travel but simply didn’t know where to start or did not want to travel alone.
Not only is Wandering Moms a growing Facebook group, but we are now in an international travel company that curates unique group travel experiences that cater to our moms and their families. Each year, through our Facebook group, we offer several opportunities for our Facebook members to join us on either a family trip or a mom – only adventure (momcation).
What are we known for?
I must say that our Momcations are hands down the BEST! A momcation is a vacation when every mom attending gets to take off her cape, disconnect from the task of motherhood recharge, relax, and get pampered with no children or husband insight. Libryia and I recognized how important it is as a mother to disconnect every once in a while and reset. Our momcations allow mothers to do just that.
Our 2018 momcation was entitled “Spoiled,” and we did just that to our moms, spoiled them. Mother’s Day weekend 2018, our mothers were whisked away to a mansion on the Costa Rican coastline. They spent the weekend enjoying meals prepared by a private chef, mommy chat, yoga, massages, and chauffeurs. We ensured that they didn’t have a care in the world as they celebrated Mother’s Day.
This year, Mother’s Day took Wandering Moms to Paris and the countryside of France. Thirty-seven moms traveled from three countries to enjoy our “Queening” momcation experience. We enjoyed a four-course meal prepared by a Michelin starred chef while enjoying the city views from inside the Eiffel Towel. We cruised the Seine River while partaking in lunch, and traveled to the French countryside where we enjoyed our stay at our 16 bedroom chateau with a meal prepared by a private chef, meditation sessions and of course massages.
Not only do we cater to mom, but we make sure we offer exceptional travel opportunities to the entire family. Summer 2018, we decided on an Amtrak adventure that took our families from Houston to San Antonio, to exploring the Grand Canyon and hitting the streets of Hollywood in a one-week time span.
Thanksgiving 2019, will take our Wandering Moms and their families to South Africa for an educational filled adventure.
I remember the days when I thought travel was only for the upper class and military. I didn’t think I would ever see the day when I would have a passport or offer my children with the opportunity to see the world and live abroad let alone assist others with making it possible for their families.
My children were born into the welfare system, and to see us go from food stamps to passport stamps is a testament to how good God is.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The travel industry offers the opportunity for growth literally anywhere. I have been able to grow a business that has followed me from The United Arab Emirates to Houston, TX.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.WanderingMoms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandering_moms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/872751556152383/ (Wandering Moms
Image Credit:
Eiffel Tower shot and Cafe shot – @Flytographer
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