TANYA Ferril is an ambitious mother and entrepreneur who is working to make an impact on the travel industry with her business, Divine Sunset Travel Agency. She sat down with Career & Education to discuss life and her business.

Q: Why did you decide to start this business? Tell us about your passion.

A: I decided to start my business because the travel industry was always something that I loved and I always wanted to be a part of it. Also aspects of the business where I was able to empower others to become an entrepreneur like myself were motivating. I saw this as my ministry, because I was able to help others to move away from a place of need to owning their own business which helps them to supplement their income and provide for their families. My passion is to serve and help others and this business gave me the opportunity to do both.

Q: What are some of the challenges you have had to overcome for your business?

A: Not being consistent. Not being creative. Not being able to express myself by putting myself out there. Speaking about my business.

Q: What makes your business stand out from the competition?

A: My business stands out because of my aim to give my clients all that they need in one stop. I am a one-stop shop where you can get from a single staycation to your event being planned, to getting married and even going on your honeymoon. I take all the hassle away from my clients so they can focus on packing their bags and just showing up. I treat my clients like friends and family. They can talk with me about their needs and I try my best to make it happen. I listen.

Q: What is the vision that you have for your company?

A: My goal is to see my company out there not only locally but internationally so that when people hear the name Divine Sunset Travel Agency they know who we are and the value and quality of service they would be getting. I need to take my business to the next level. My vision is to expand from not only doing travel, but to also train, mentor, and coach others in the travel industry and outside. I would love to become a training facilitator in order to help others become entrepreneurs to live the life that they dream of and to better understand how to achieve their goals.

Q: How would you describe your company’s success so far?

A: It has been doing well so far. I have had a few faithful clients and referrals from them so I am at the point of trying to build and establish my brand.

Q: Describe a routine day at work.

A: I sometimes have clients doing enquiry, making reservations, making changes to reservations, and advertising.

Q: What do you think is the secret of excellent client service?

A: Listening to your clients, being helpful, responding in a timely manner, and providing the service they are asking for. Giving suggestions where needed.

Q: What are your different roles within the company?

A: I am head cook and bottle washer. I am the travel agent because I know what my clients need and I can answer all the questions. I am also the event planner because I love doing events and I am the marriage officer because I love marrying others and making them happy. I am a counsellor – let’s talk about what you are getting yourself into before doing so. I am a marketing representative – I sell the business of travel to others if they love the industry and would love to start their own business. I love to empower others.

Q: What aspect of your business makes you the most proud?

A: All. Because I have never imagined doing what I am currently doing.

Q: Tell us a bit about your journey?

A: I had been living from paycheque to paycheque all my life. Seeing things that I would love to own, things that I have always wanted to do and just couldn’t do because I couldn’t afford to for myself and my son. My father became ill with colon cancer and I also became ill. Things were just going downhill. In the pandemic it became worse and that is when I prayed to God and asked him for a way to break this generational curse that has been in my family for too long. I needed something more. The bills were getting worse and I am a single parent. I needed a way to build generational wealth.

Q: What motivates your work?

A: The need to provide for my family, my son most of all. I’m a single mother who wants nothing but the best for her child. I want him to attend university and I want to create generational wealth and to leave a legacy for my family. Never depend on a single source of income.

Q: How has starting a business changed your life?

A: My life has changed tremendously, to be honest. I have become less worried about where my next meal is coming from and how my family is going to survive, and I’m able to save. I have grown, I am learning every day, and my mindset is totally different.

Q: What lessons have you learnt from your experience?

A: You can achieve what you want from life only if you work for it. Never be scared to fail because failure makes you stronger. If someone says no to you don’t take it personally, they are not rejecting you but the business opportunity and a chance to work with the best. Put in the work because the work never forgets you. It will come back to you.

Q: What would you say to others who want to start a business but are uncertain?

A: It is better to do it scared than not doing it at all, at least you know that you have started and when you start you can finish because you determine your outcome. But to sit and do nothing at all you would never know what you can achieve. Stop thinking about the what if and do a mind shift to what you want to achieve. Vision it, write the plan, set the motion, get into position. Speak it, believe it, claim it, and receive it. Timing and position is everything. There is no right time like now.