Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Meers.
Hi Jenny , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Travel has been part of my story from the very beginning—I boarded my first plane at just six weeks old. From horseback riding on the beaches of Hawaii to hiking through the Smoky Mountains, my childhood was filled with adventure, curiosity, and the joy of discovering new places.
My love for travel took on a whole new meaning in 2018 when I brought my own children to Walt Disney World and rediscovered how magical these experiences can be. That trip didn’t just rekindle old memories—it sparked my passion for the planning, preparing, and fine details that go into creating a truly seamless vacation.
Years later, I’ve been fortunate to work with hundreds of clients, crafting vacations ranging from Disney and Universal to cruises, all-inclusive resorts, Hawaii, and custom European itineraries. While family travel remains at the heart of what I do, I truly love helping clients of all kinds create unforgettable journeys.
And now, in 2026, I’m thrilled to be chasing a new dream: opening my own travel agency, Gilded Travel Adventures. This next chapter allows me to continue doing what I love—designing meaningful, stress-free vacations—while also supporting and uplifting other agents in this incredible industry.
My husband, Rick, and our kids, Aubrey and Charlie, travel several times a year, and each adventure reminds me why this work matters. Travel creates memories that stay with us forever, and it’s an honor to help others experience that same magic.
I can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure—and to grow a community of travel professionals who are just as passionate about exploring the world as I am.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with any new venture, there were some bumps- but it’s all helped me learn and become better at what I do. In the travel industry, you are often self-taught, so I learned from mistakes and have gotten better at doing my research and asking the right questions. As an agency owner, I work to support new agents because I know how difficult it can be starting out. I want the advisors that work with me to have someone they can trust, to know that they will be paid for their work in a timely manner, to know that they have the resources they need to learn and be experts in the destinations they sell. I want my clients to have peace of mind knowing that we plan their trips carefully, we consider every detail so they can just show up and enjoy.
One of my biggest hurdles as a small business owner is navigating the ‘price-matching’ expectation. While large-scale aggregators can offer bulk discounts, they often can’t provide the meticulous, personalized attention to detail that we do. Our goal is to make planning feel effortless for the client, which sometimes makes the behind-the-scenes work invisible. We aren’t just booking a trip; we are building a relationship and a customized itinerary. When you book with us, you’re investing in peace of mind—knowing that if a flight is canceled or a detail goes sideways, you have a dedicated advocate in your corner, not just a call center.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a small, female-run travel agency. We have 5 advisors, and we all have different specializations. Annie sells a lot of adventure travel- this spring, she has been busy planning a lot of Alaska itineraries for clients. Pat specializes in Europe- she can do land, cruise, and rail trips. Allison and Bridgette focus on Disney and Universal vacations, but Allison is also great at boutique hotel trips and smaller, domestic itineraries. Bridgette is focusing on Caribbean cruises as well. I can do a little bit of it all. I’m a Hawaiian destination specialist, so I love helping clients island hop, but my first love is planning Disney destinations. The theme parks are amazing, but Disney Cruise Line is probably my favorite thing to book.
No matter the destination, with our advisors, we offer full concierge service and can help with flights, airport transfers, tour and excursions, and travel insurance. I named the company “gilded,” because I want every client to see the investment in their vacation as something that is going to feel a little luxurious. My clients work hard, and they deserve to pamper themselves a bit, so I help them find experiences that will create lifelong memories they can enjoy.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’ve grown up and lived in St. Louis all of my life, but I’ve also been to almost every state in the US and 11 countries (and counting). I am married and have 2 kids who are 14 and 12. My family and I travel 4-6 times per year. I also have a travel podcast, The Gilded Girls Travel podcast where we provide trip reviews and tips for others who share our sense of wanderlust.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gildedadventures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilded_adventures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581561150025#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112436055/
- Other: https://gildedgals.podbean.com/
