Happy Small Business Saturday!

Today is Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to helping small businesses around the country. Even before starting Amanda Watkins Travel, it has been my preference to shop small businesses whenever possible. You simply cannot match the service provided when you are dealing with a person who is invested in your experience and truly cares about making sure you leave and remain a satisfied customer. Also, running a small business is hard, folks.

In honor of Small Business Day, I want to highlight some of my best “small business moments”. These moments that have been so fulfilling to me and are moments you simply won’t get by pressing click on your computer. So here goes:

I had such fun helping a dear client find the perfect rental homes in Watercolor, Florida . She had been “tasked” with making the travel plans for multiple families. This responsibility was causing her such anxiety and the look on her face was pure emotional relief when she passed along to me the responsibility of planning their trip. By allowing me to to be the point person for all of the families going on this trip, my dear client was able to RELAX and GET EXCITED about her vacation. 

Some of my most satisfying moments have been when I have been able to provide an option that hasn’t been considered or known by my client. One of my favorite clients wanted a tour of Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. She was very excited when I offered the option of adding in a three course lunch at a winery at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. 

I had a hard to crack client who just couldn’t believe that there was any benefit to booking with me, as opposed to booking online with the hotel or a travel site. And, sure, the rate I gave her in this instance was the same as she would have received booking online. But after I was able to add free breakfast for their family of four each day ($150 per day value), they received a complimentary room upgrade, and a birthday cake for their daughter was waiting in their hotel room ... I was told I have a client for life. 

The sweetest couple on earth decided that it was the right time in their life to take a cruise. But they were overwhelmed and confused by their options. After spending time talking with them both, I booked them on a cruise perfectly tailored to them. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED getting the giddy email from them telling me what a fabulous time they were having and that they had already booked their next cruise … before they had even disembarked!

Making the impossible happen is the very BEST! A fun and fabulous client is going to have her dream 40th birthday because I was able to pull together 12 tickets to Hamilton on fairly short notice. 

Watercolor Florida

Because I am a small business, I can provide these unique and personal services while greatly reducing the stress upon you – the traveler.  And I love doing it!

Thank you for supporting my small business and all of other amazing small businesses out there.