In 2006 I received an email invitation by the Italian Government Tourist Board, it was a hosted trip to “Emilia Romagna”, I confess by that moment, I never heard of such place. I was excited to visit Italy for the first time regardless of where in Italy. Little I knew that this year and this trip would mark an unprecedented change and memory in my life.
In February of 2006, I experienced the most painful betrayal in my life, my “best friend” and partner’s greed finished with everything I worked for almost a decade, A very successful company I presided for 9 years, and built with her, A company that I gave my everything, even its name that was my former DBA, fired me !!
I cried for months, how could this happen to me? we had a silent partner and they both simply kick me out of the business. I thought I could never work and love with the same passion anything else. Numb and in pain, I picked up myself from depression and continue my journey to open my own company.
I had my doubts when the time came to go the Italy trip, I had so much to do, so much to think, how could I go, this were crazy times, every email I received from them, made me shake in terror, I was threatened and they made my life miserable, reason enough to make me decide that this trip will help my emotional state.
I fell in love with Italy, this trip lifted my hopes, my drive to continue in the Travel Industry, and my decision to specialize and focus on trips to Italy to share with other women, and the whole world.
Italy is one of the most visited places in the world, but most importantly is the one most people returns!
Below link is my 2006 first photos I took in my first trip to Italy (young me), and the above link is my 2016 pictures from my last group.
Emilia Romagna Italy Photo Album
Perhaps after sharing this part of my story, you could understand why year after year my heart is full of joy and energy when I know a new trip to Italy is coming up. Italy saved my aching heart, but now I only have a heart full of gratitude.
Cessy Meacham CTIE
(*F8 is a Lifestyle and a Journey, the key to happiness is to balance all 8 elements: Family-Faith-Friends-Fitness-Fund/Give-Back-Food-Fun-Fulfillment)
Travel Enhancing values of
Family, Faith, Friends, Fitness
Fund/GiveBack, Food, Fun, Fulfillment
Always grateful;
, for most people we are “just a travel agent” we are cursed because there is no MBA in our Industry, and yet our customers trust their highest expense of the year in their family vacations with us, the truth is we don’t need one MBA, because we daily apply our knowledge across all boards.
In our daily labor of Love; We seat and listen to our clients, sometimes unrelated stories to the trips they are planning, but we patiently listen and learn how to help them, (Psychologies), sometimes we call different sides of the family to clarify issues (Mediators), many times we call and arrange surprises for their loved ones, (confidants and allies), we make restaurant reservations, request non-allergenic pillows at arrival, report special needs or allergies (Concierges).