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What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Growing up, many of us are asked the big question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” For me, the answer wasn’t always clear. Life’s twists and turns ultimately led me to a career I never expected but couldn’t imagine living without—becoming a travel agent.
A Background in Performance and Education
With a degree in Dance and Theater Education, I’ve always had a flair for performance and a deep love for creativity. My early career was spent teaching dance and theater in public schools and private studios. Later, I worked for Smart Start as a parent educator, supporting families with children from birth to age three. That role taught me the value of connection, communication, and education—skills that would eventually serve me in ways I couldn’t yet imagine.
Life took an unexpected turn when I began homeschooling my kids while they were in 5th and 3rd grades. Our homeschooling journey started in Florida, just 10 miles from Walt Disney World. A big part of our homeschool education included hands-on experiences, art, culture, and travel whenever possible. Our homeschool group even met weekly inside the Disney parks, blending education with enchantment. It was during these years that my love for travel and family experiences deepened.
A Love for Disney and Cruising
Travel has always played a meaningful role in my life. Walt Disney World holds a special place in my heart, and my family has spent countless days immersed in its magic. From annual passes and large family vacations to romantic anniversaries, Disney has been the backdrop for some of our most cherished memories.
Beyond Disney, we discovered a love for cruising. Exploring the Caribbean together on numerous cruises has given us unforgettable adventures and brought us even closer as a family. Those experiences taught me the importance of creating lasting memories through travel—whether with family, friends, or loved ones.
Finding My Path as a Travel Agent
Fast forward to today, with one kid in college and one heading there this fall, I found myself asking that same old question again: “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
I needed a career that was flexible enough to fit my family’s rhythm while also allowing me to use my strengths: communication, education, and my deep love of Disney and travel. My husband and I had countless brainstorming sessions. And then it hit me—travel agent! A career working with vacations every day sounded like a dream come true.
I nervously applied to Key to the World Travel and was thrilled to be accepted. What I found wasn’t just a career—it was a community. The training, resources, opportunities, and friendships I’ve found through Key to the World Travel have helped me build something truly special.
Growing My Expertise and Expanding My World
While my journey started with Disney and cruising, becoming a travel advisor has opened up a whole new world for me—literally. Since launching my travel career, I’ve personally explored Alaska, Mexico, Jamaica, and Curaçao. I’ve expanded my experience beyond theme parks to include all-inclusive resorts, small group travel, couples getaways, and bucket-list destinations.
Disney, Universal, cruising, and all-inclusives are still my specialties, but I now help clients plan personalized vacations all over the world. Whether you’re heading to Europe, the Caribbean, or just need a weekend away, I’m here to make sure your trip is exactly what you’ve dreamed of—and more.
A Memory Maker at Heart
How amazing is it that I get to help others plan their dream vacations? It’s exciting every single time. The memories my family and I have made through travel are some of my most prized possessions. Now, I get to help my clients create unforgettable memories of their own.
Every vacation I plan is an opportunity to bring joy to someone’s life. I genuinely feel like a memory maker—a dream come true for what I want to be when I grow up.
So, what do you want to be when you grow up? For me, I’ve finally found my answer. I want to help people make memories that last a lifetime.
