Today we’d like to introduce you to Debika Sen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my journey in the travel industry as a receptionist. I gradually grew into a travel consultant and ultimately established my own company with my husband, Mr. Madhukar “Mark” Sood. It was always my dream to have my own organization where we make peoples’ dream vacations into a reality.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to success is never smooth sailing. When I worked for other tour organizations, I made sure I learned from the best. I would come to work around 08:00 AM and left very late at night. To me, on the job training was extremely valuable – free with a small price to pay. I was taken advantage of by being paid a straight salary, no overtime, and at times sacrificed my weekends including vacation time. I had, many a times, put up with short-tempered bosses from whom I had much to learn from. The bottom line was to put up with severe criticism, long hours, low salary culminating with my own company. It is a price worth paying for. As my parents would say to me ‘nothing is free in life. Everything has a price tag.” How much was I willing to pay? Everything that I have to be where I am today – the sacrifices, sweat, blood and tears have been well worth it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
A Classic Tours Collection was established in 1999 at Redondo Beach, CA. We began as any other tour operator, selling the same destinations and travel packages with an exception of our Total Solar Eclipse Tours. About 3 – 4 years ago, I received a scholarship program into a very prestigious program called Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. It was here that I learned to think outside the box, getting out of my comfort zone and working “on my business” and not “in my business”. Thus, began my exploration into selling innovative and creative itineraries. At A Classic Tours Collection, we curate authentic, immersive journeys with an educational and cultural touchpoint, helping our guests discover more experiential and deeper experiences.
At A Classic Tours Collection, we are known to help our guests understand a country, her people, culture and history – daring them to push their travel adventures beyond their comfort level I am most proud of bridging the gap between nations, where strangers in a foreign land are as curious as we are and welcome the opportunity to learn and be inspired to be diverse in their thoughts and accepting everything that is different, incorporating it into our lives. I am thrilled when my guests return from a trip, feeling they were, briefly, a citizen of the country they were or are visiting.
What sets us apart is our passion for promoting travel in an art form. Exposing each person to those experiences they could never have imagined – it is not all about selling luxury but a tour replete with off the beaten path experiences bringing humanity together and in the hope of eliminating xenophobia.
What were you like growing up?
I was born in Kolkata (Calcutta) to a very famous father, Mihir Sen, who was the first Indian to have swum the English Channel and the first person to have swum the Five Continents in one calendar year. My mother was English from a Jewish background. I was born and raised in India. Being dyslexic, which in those days was an unknown learning disability, I was unable to read or write till I was in the 6th Grade. It was through my mother’s persistence I learned to read and write. Since my father was a sportsman, we would wake up at 04:00 AM to go jogging followed by a swim in a pond. I learned very early on in life, never to give up and there is nothing “impossible” in life. It was from both my parents I have learned the art form of overcome every challenge in life, to be successful, one needs to fall many times. I have always been headstrong, determined, great sense of humor, love to read, music, adventure and I am always positive no matter how tough the situation may be. The best lesson my father taught me, ” when the tide is strong, do not fight it. Let it pull you out. It will weaken and it is then you should fight back.” My mother has taught me, “you never give up. Face the music, grit your teeth and it will pay off.” I have always incorporated spiritualism into my personal and work life – be humble and treat people the same way you wish to be treated.
Contact Info:
- Address: 322 Vista Del Mar
Suite B Redondo Beach, CA 90277 - Website: www.aclassictour.com
- Phone: 8886058687
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classictourscollection/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AClassicToursCollection/?eid=ARBNTfizhu6VkMVbkoTFKTkG9a6MsQRpzJYFnJtGSYO60-zmnu2a2t_qIyk2vuy89iGXX5sihLu3tSwL
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debika-sen-37453838/
Image Credit:
Mark Sood
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