Meet Jessica Kegley | Travel Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Kegley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is definitely my relationship with my clients. It is not the amount of clients or what they spend. It is essentially gaining their feedback and using it to improve my business. Listening to my clients wants, needs, and ideas have turned my business into something that is not only successful but something to be proud of. From the planning point until after they come back from their trip has been influenced by them. I think that is what has been lost over most businesses in modern times is that personalization of service. To me that is the ONLY thing that matters for a business to succeed. In my travel business personalized planning ALMOST all of my business “product” so it has to be about the client and they should have a say in how they receive it. How I communicate with them, how and what I advertise, and other services I offer all stem from feedback from them.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Elevation Travel is a complimentary travel design service company that partners with clients to plan & book vacations. We are able to book worldwide and collaborate with over 200 vendors. We take personal and business related clients. We also plan group travel. What sets E.T. from other travel companies is the personalization of our services. We take feedback from clients and implement what they say into our business model even. Listening to our clients needs, wants, and how they feel helps us become better for them. We are available 24/7 for them and since it is just me they are able to speak to a live person before, during, and after travel. We are also complimentary so they can get exclusive planning, tips, and expertise at no cost to them. Elevation Travel was born out of an accident really. I had been traveling a lot with my husband and son during that time period. My friends and family were noticing the places we were going and were curious about how we could go to places so much. At the time I was using 3rd party discount websites and such to get good “deals”. I shared my knowledge with them and then BAM it hit me. I realized I could make a difference by helping them plan and book vacations. Elevation Travel was born. It hasn’t been a smooth road but I have grown with every speed bump along the way and I’m proud I haven’t given up especially after it went into the toilet during the pandemic. Starting a business is hard in itself but starting a travel business is tough. Most people just go through the internet and not use a person plus I don’t have a physical product to sell and ship out. It was not easy and still isn’t. We are always trying to improve our process or gain more clients to help. I have worked hard to market myself since the beginning almost 7 years ago. I am still trying to build it back to this day. The challenge of getting the word out there and marketing isn’t easy either. I am a one woman show so everything is up to me to do. The budgeting, the marketing, the research, the certifications, everything. Clients change what they want to see from an advertisement all the time. Keeping up with protocols worldwide, cancellation policies, and border closings/ openings is tough but someone has to do it. It is worth it to see everyones dreams come true though. I have learned not to get frustrated when someone doesn’t plan their trip with me. It is their trip and if they don’t feel like we are a good team I am okay with it. I used to take it personally but I don’t anymore. I want the world to know that Elevation Travel may be a very small business in the grand scheme of it all but that we have the most heart and care deeply about our current and future clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to Knoxville, TN for a week we would see downtown first. Market Square has so many restaurants to try out in itself. So dinner almost every night would be in market square. The first day would be filled with going to different points in Knoxville with lake views. They are gorgeous here so a picnic like tour of lake views is a must. The second through fifth day would be exploring Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Although it’s 45 minutes away I still count this as my area. We would hike, got to Dollywood, rent a cabin, and do all the touristy things. The last two days would be all about reconnecting. I would take her to the best spa in Knoxville for a full body makeover ( we are both moms and would love to just let go and be pampered). We would get mani-pedis, eat a ton at more places downtown, and hangout at various coffee shops. I love our local coffee shop scene in Knoxville. Knoxville is very inviting so I think she would feel right at home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my supportive and loving husband Jordan. Thanks for standing by me and believing in my dream. This shoutout is also dedicated to anyone who has became a client, or even liked, shared, or told someone about Elevation Travel. Thank you so much!!!

Website: https://elevationtravelbyj.wixsite.com/etbj

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