8 Tips for Black Women Looking to Build Successful Luxury Travel Brands

As a Black Womenpreneur, I can attest to how much it takes hard work, passion and dedication to build a successful luxury concierge travel brand and entrepreneurial marketplace ~ both of which, my ministry. 

I look back on the years that led up to this moment, and I am filled with so much emotions ~ mostly heartwarming. 

As an Experience Designer, I have learned how much my everyday blends perfectly with my entrepreneurial and personal relationships, etc. I live my life by design! Each day, must be bespoke because as a creative, I cannot stand the mundane, routine 9-5, so each day’s itinerary is tailor-made, and designed to my liking!

But, I am happy that I am able to share what I've learned over the years, with you, my Beloveds. 

Here are some of my favorite tips that I've used, to help YOU achieve YOUR goals this #FebYOUary:

• First, start by building a strong network & community 

You can do this by attending industry events, joining professional organizations, or participating in online spaces for BIPOC travel professionals. I share this info in several spaces, including our community app for women who love luxury travel ~ WanderLuxe Tribe. Having a strong network of contacts will help you connect with potential customers as well as build relationships with other industry professionals. 

One of my all time favorite spaces, is Wanderful, a community connecting women over a shared love for traveling. I have a very authentic relationship with the members, leadership team, creator members and professional members alike ~ and consider all my family. Join me there, as I am the BIPOC Hub Director.

• Second, create a unique brand identity 

Your brand should be easily recognizable and stand out above the noise. Look at others and take note of what they are doing, how they are doing it and see how you can sprinkle your own magic to make it better for you! Develop a logo that represents your passion for the mission, create a website that is able to handle all layers, including Ecommerce, digital content, bookings, and more...using social media to reach potential customers. Be very sure to vet the professional you use. I've seen too many vulnerable advisors get taken advantage of from others who are out here faking it, stealing, plagiarizing, copy and pasting ~ passing themselves off as if they are experts, and Google says, "that's a lie!"  Ask for recommendations from their past clients/friends, making sure to try to speak to people who have used them before. 

• Third, create a detailed business plan 
  

Write the vision, make it plain. Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.” ‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:2-‭3‬ ‭GNT‬‬

This should include an analysis of your competitors, a realistic budget, and a solid marketing plan. In fact, I would even recommend adding a publicity plan in there as well. You want solid strategies outline that you can share with potential investors and funders, which will help them visualize your vision. Be sure to articulate your goals, making sure to explain how you plan to reach them, and how you will measure your success. 

• Fourth, make sure your product(s) and/or service(s) are top-notch
  

Quality should be your top priority when it comes to providing a luxury travel experience. You can do this by investing in high-end technology, through providing excellent customer service, as well as offer unique, unshoppable experiences that will have your clients talking about them for months. Be sure to understand the difference between Premium and Luxury business models, what they are and what they are not; and be sure to stay true to brand. Confusion can and often will create chaos.

• Fifth, use the power of storytelling 
  

I cannot stress this enough!!!

Create content that tells a story about your brand, the destinations you journey to, the locals and their culture, your partners ~ and so much more! This helps with connecting to your audience on an emotional level while creating a loyal customer base. When you combine creativity with your passions or why, it's so powerful. It is so important to the sustainability of your brand's community.

• Sixth, be visible 
  

Make sure you are present in the places your target customers are. Attend events, join online groups, and participate in conversations on/off of social media. And when you are in these spaces, be sure to bring forth your true, best self because people may not remember what you say, but they will remember how you treat them. This is why your best self should always be the ambassador for your brand. 

• Seventh, stay on top of trends 
  

Luxury travel is constantly changing and evolving, so you will need to stay abreast of the latest trends. Monitor industry news, research what competitors are doing, and look for ways to improve your brand. I usually do this first thing in the morning, before I start my day.

• Finally, be unapologetically you 

As a Black woman who is an entrepreneur, it is important for me to stay true to myself and my values. It's sometimes difficult to separate between my personal & professional lives, because many of my partners have become great friends. Do not be afraid to express your opinions and stand up for what you believe in. This will help you build a strong, successful luxury travel brand in an industry that is still slowly pivoting into being more inclusive and diverse.