Today we’d like to introduce you to Akeia Bryant.
Hi Akeia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am the owner of Passport Poppin, LLC. Passport Poppin is a Black-owned full-service travel agency dedicated to offering trip planning services as well as perfectly curated group trips to international and domestic destinations. How it started:
I was living in Costa Rica for some time after college and I would have some friends come out and visit me often. Whenever I would have visitors, I would always be so excited to plan out an entire itinerary for their trip so that I could show them a good time. I know how much travel has impacted my life, so to be able to share that with other people. I started with hosting trips with my friends and family, then one day the idea literally fell out of the sky. In April 2019, I was lying in bed one day and I jumped up and said “PASSPORT POPPIN”! I immediately started working to bring my idea to life and make Passport Poppin a fully-functional travel business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road as a travel agent. Since I started my business and launched around mid to late 2019, I was under the impression that 2020 was when I was going to really build my business even bigger. I had to really learn the power of pivoting and working in spite of challenges. Since the travel industry slowed down to a screeching halt in 2020, I took the time to rework my brand, build brand visibility and loyalty, so that when travel reopened, I would be able to really build my business the way I wanted. There were many days of doubting since travel was almost nonexistent, but I stayed faithful to my dreams and continued to move forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Well, I am a travel agent, so I provide complete trip planning services and book trips for my clients. I also curate and host fun group trips- specifically girl’s trips. I create content and manage my Instagram @_passportpoppin, where I advertise my travel planning services as well as sharing my own personal travels. I always call Passport Poppin my baby because it requires all of the blood, sweat, tears, and dedication that a newborn baby does. But just like a baby, all of the hard work and sacrifices are worth it.
People should book with Passport Poppin because it is like no other travel brand or travel agency. I am personally invested into every single trip that I plan because I understand how life-changing a travel experience can be for someone. I am dedicated to planning each and every detail of someone’s trip to ensure that they have an experience where they can make lifelong memories. My passion for travel translates over into the trips I curate and it brings me so much joy to help people make memories around the world.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be true to yourself and know that you are worthy of every dream that you dare to dream. There will be moments of doubt and even those questioning you, but no one has your same exact vision and they can’t execute like you can. So, just work hard and remember that failure is only truly failure when you don’t even try.
I wish first starting out I had more mentorship and help. I am planning to open my business up to hiring more travel agents to join my agency to learn this amazing craft and bring more amazing travel experiences to other people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: letsgo@passportpoppin.com
- Website: passportpoppin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_passportpoppin/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/passportpoppin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiKM3YcBMpvGPRpibiPX50w
