Creating Memories through Travel

This month, I was fortunate to be featured in a local magazine and was asked to share the story behind my business. Since I know most of my clients and friends are not local, I thought I’d copy that story here.
Looking forward to making memories with you and for you!
-Katherine

When people ask me what I do for a living, they never expect me to say, “I’m a personal travel advisor!” The usual response to that statement is, “Is that like a travel agent? But you’re under the age of 40. Do travel agents still exist?” I love this response because it gives me a chance to explain that not only do travel agents still exist, but perhaps travel agents are more valuable than ever.

A few years ago, I left my career in entertainment marketing to follow my family’s footsteps in the travel industry. I created Ogden Pacific: a modern travel agency named in honor of my grandparents. But before we get to that, let’s rewind a bit.

As far back as I can remember, my Grandma Ogden was a travel agent. As a child, I loved going to my grandma’s office and flipping through travel brochures as I would listen to her work her magic with suppliers and chat with the clients she treated like family. On the surface, her job as a travel agent didn’t seem like life-altering, legacy-building work. However, when I think back through my life, my favorite memories are of the trips that she would plan for our family: road trips up the coast of California, chasing waterfalls in Hawaii, or marveling at the wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone.

Traveling together slowed our pace of life, if only for a moment. The change of scenery would bring a change in us, helping us reprioritize and reconnect. These family trips became more than a vacation; they became the stories we still tell around the table at Thanksgiving. The fact that my grandparents and parents set aside time and money over the years to travel was the greatest gift I never thought to ask for. It’s now been twelve years since my Grandma Ogden passed away, but she created a lasting legacy within my family. I want to continue her legacy by creating those same travel memories for others.

With endless options and information available online, planning a trip can be overwhelming. My goal has always been to simplify and humanize the process of planning a vacation. I enjoy getting to know my clients personally and making recommendations that are tailored specifically to them. I love working with families, couples, and individuals to create lasting memories on trips both near and far.

If it was strange to start a travel agency in 2018, it is even more bizarre now in 2020. This year has brought complications, confusion, and cancelations to all types of travel. Like many of you, my job has looked a little different this year. But even with the challenges that 2020 has brought, I love what I do. I’ve been able to help my clients receive refunds for their canceled vacations, reschedule their trip for another time, or even find alternate plans closer to home.

With many travel plans still on hold, it may feel like a weird time to talk about planning a vacation. But perhaps planning a trip for the future is precisely what we all need to give us a little joy for today. Whenever you’re ready to start thinking about your next trip, I’m here to help cut through the clutter and chaos so you can fast-forward to making memories that will last a lifetime. I’d love to get to know you and start planning those future memories today!

The Ogden family celebrating Grandpa’s 80th birthday on a cruise

Katherine YoungdaleNovember 28, 2020Comment