Hidden Gems: Meet Essence Carter of Solis Travels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Essence Carter. 

Hi Essence, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, one of my favorite memories was when my mother would put me in the car, take us on a drive, and I would wake up in a new city. Vacations in my life have always been exciting, adventurous, and usually have some element of surprise. Although I began traveling at a young age, I would always complain that I didn’t feel free. The feeling was hard to describe, but there was an urge for me to see more of the world. After graduating from college, I promised myself I would travel to a new place every month for one full year. As extravagant as each of these experiences sound, I wasn’t jet-setting across the world; many were road trips to different cities nearby, and it felt amazing. I learned a lot about other cultures and myself that year, but most importantly, I realized the world is open to everyone. Traveling each month required a great deal of planning and coordination, and this is where I discovered my love for the travel industry. When I wasn’t traveling, I talked to family and friends about their upcoming trips and would recommend unique experiences like visiting art districts, day excursions, and secret attractions. I took my first shot at being an independent travel advisor in 2018 and began Solis Travels (under a different name at the time), but it was more challenging than I expected. Sharing travel deals was the easy part, but closing the sale was where I struggled. After months of trying, I put my travel services on hold and began exploring other ways to be an entrepreneur in the travel industry. In 2020, I was presented with an opportunity to establish two Airbnb units in the US Virgin Islands and meet guests from cities and countries around the world; this reignited my passion for helping people travel. I restarted Solis Travels and focused more on growing my travel advisor services. In the past year, I have assisted numerous clients in planning their beautiful and affordable vacations, and the feeling of making that happen is gratifying every time.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a reasonably smooth road?
Building Solis Travels has not been a smooth road. Although I have a passion for traveling and helping others, I was not 100% sure how I could make it a career. I had to overcome the fear of failure and align my experiences, good or bad, with my devotion to answering the call as an entrepreneur. Initially, I developed a website and branded merchandise but would not promote it. I would wait for some magical moment to be discovered, but that is not how success works. I had to network and share my business with the world; people cannot buy if they don’t know what you are selling. One has to put themself out there and be vulnerable. Through networking and social media, I found a mentor, and that was a pivotal moment for me and my journey as an independent travel advisor. The resources were there; I just needed to learn to ask for help. I read books, listened to podcasts, joined Facebook groups, and watched YouTube videos. The more I learned, the better decisions I made for my business to grow.

We’ve been impressed with Solis Travels, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Everyone wants to take that dream vacation, but where do you even begin with planning it? Contacting Solis Travels. At Solis Travels, I assist you with everything from picking a location to the excursions and restaurants. Solis Travels is a travel agency seeking to allow individuals to explore the world, despite socioeconomic status. So, whether you are traveling solo, going on a family vacation, or planning a corporate retreat, Solis Travels is ready to make all accommodations necessary for a successful trip. We aim to create content that allows people to see the world’s beauty starting from their backyard. Giving people the knowledge of what’s right outside their door is the first step in creating a world traveler. Our goal is for hard-working men and women in St. Louis and beyond to have an opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life without spending a fortune. We all know travel is not cheap; however, there are ways that a great international vacation can happen without breaking the bank. Offering different payment plans allows us to meet potential travelers where they are financially while allowing them to fulfill their dream vacation. Solis Travels takes away the stress of planning that vacation and enables clients to focus on packing for it. We specialize in creating unique travel experiences with itineraries that will allow you to try something new, like taking a flight, walking in the ocean, or taking a cooking class. With the proper timing, no adventure is out of reach.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those starting would be three things, 1) Promote yourself, have your friends and family promote your business, and give out free promotional items. However you want to do it, get as many people to see your logo, visit your website, and learn about your business. Share your business with at least one person a day. 2) There is power in networking and building relationships with others in your industry. The more people you know, the more resources you will come across. Finding a mentor or joining a group will grow your network exponentially. I recommend doing this as soon as possible because their guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes. 3) Follow the blueprints that are out there. Just because you’re on the ground floor of building your business does not mean you have to do it alone or start from scratch.

Contact Info:

• Email: essence@solistravels.com
• Website: https://linktr.ee/Solistravels
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solistravels/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solistravels 

Image Credits
Kevin Moolenar
Essence Carter
Ryan Jackson