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

Hi Sherri, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
that the travel business is a 24 hour job. You have to be “on call” to help with clients who may have delayed or canceled flights. Most of the time the issue will work itself out, but it’s nice that they know they can call me for reassurance or to offer a different alternative solution to any problem!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was a career banker for 20 plus years before going to work for a business client of mine. I think that’s what formed my customer service background. I graduated from Lipscomb University with a Marketing degree while I worked at the bank all day.
I’m extremely proud that I was able to accomplish this and excel at my job at the bank simultaneously. I LOVED meeting my clients and hearing their stories about starting their own business. Deep down wondering if I could ever do that for myself.
My passion for traveling has always been there. I wrote the mayor of NYC when I was 12 telling him that I loved this city and would love to visit one day. Fast forward 46 years and it’s still my favorite city and I usually visit about 3 times a year!
I do extensive research for every trip I ever take. Off the beaten path things to do/see/eat, where the locals go, etc. Anyone can google the top sites to see for tourists, so I like to see things that wouldn’t normally be on anyone’s radar.
So Destination Unknown was born from both my travel passion and my planning passion. I have visited all 50 states in the US and will begin my re-visits now as well as expanding internationally. I still have lots I want to see!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For Nashville guests, we would spend one day downtown…everyone needs to see it once. 🙂 We would walk Broadway and pop in every place that had live music! I would take them to Printers Alley which I think is even better than Broadway.
I would take them to the west side of town (my favorite) to eat at Wendell Smith’s (meat and three) for lunch, Jimmy Kelly’s for dinner and if weather permits, I’d take them to Love Circle for the view of downtown, especially at night.
Ice cream at Bobbie’s Dairy Dip!
The Gulch is cool and if they wanted to see it, we would go make a candle at Paddywax.
I would spend a day in East Nashville. I would eat at Rosepepper or maybe check out the vendors at the Wash, a former car wash with several dining options! Shop on Fatherland.
I would check out candle light concerts either at the Parthenon (Centennial Park) or East Nashville. I’ve heard everything from Taylor Swift to Queen played by the symphony with candlelight and it’s amazing.

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 have two inspirations: 1. One of my best girlfriends and
2. My very large and loud first cousin “tribe”

About 12 years ago, one of my BFFs, Sharon, and I began taking each other on a surprise trip every other year. She would plan one year, and I would plan the next. When it was her turn, she’d say “Every year, it’s getting harder and harder to top your trips”.

My first cousins and my sister became my travel buddies several years ago. As the natural planner, I would plan it all. During one trip we are standing in the Denver airport and they said, “you know, you could do this for other people too” and it was at that moment that I revealed the name I already had on the back burner, Destination Unknown!

Website: destinationunknownusa.com

Instagram: destinationunknownusa

Other: tiktok destination.unknown.usa

Image Credits
Briana Owen Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.