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I can't believe it is summer Reader,

This issue was supposed to be my Rome guide, but something happened that I wasn’t expecting. I hit a milestone that I never thought I’d hit: $20,000 in travel sold this year!!

I am pretty excited.

Truthfully, I started 2025 pretty discouraged. I had a solid four months of cancellations, prices I couldn’t beat, and some window shopping from clients. Between February and May, I booked one hotel and sold one personalized city guide. It was looking pretty bleak.

I don’t know what happened, what change in the atmosphere led to May, but something clicked…

What helped me get there (I think)

1. Constantly reminding people that I book travel for a living. Also, having friends recommend me has been amazing. (Thank you!)
2. Battling misconceptions....

• "It's less hassle, and I am used to travel sites like Booking." Just because you are used to something doesn’t mean you have to stick with it.
• "AI can plan my trip" — AI is TERRIBLE at travel planning, and here are one, two, three reasons why.
• "Travel advisors only work with luxury budgets." Not true—I work with the budget you have. One of my recent hotel bookings was just $148 per night!
• "Travel agents/Advisors charge a lot"-Also not true. Many of my services are complimentary. (See here) or (See here)​

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What I have planned/am planning since April

Spring Break in St. Pete Beach When housing renovations dipped into my client's travel budget for spring break, we worked together to find a budget-friendly hotel in St. Pete Beach. The hotel was cute with a great restaurant and beach access. I found them a great semi-private tour with a local marine biology student, where they learned about manatees and saw dolphins. BTW, the Hilton Garden Inn punches way above its weight class in every way possible. Watch the Reel

​ Chicago Birthday Trip My travel niche is art and food, and planning this milestone birthday trip was so much fun. I booked the historic Chicago Athletic Association, with its beautiful Gothic architecture, a baroque choral concert in a stunning church, and made reservations at my favorite restaurants in the city for them. I got the sweetest review. Read reviews

​ Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars I booked a hotel featured in my last newsletter for a family traveling to London. I was so happy to give them the inside scoop because I've stayed there. It’s a beautiful home base, plus being Hyatt members saved them some money. ​ Read the issue ​

​ SFO, Sonoma, and Napa This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip hitting a lot of Michelin stars. They wanted to save their budget for multi-course tasting menus, not on places to sleep or park. I found a series of hotels in San Francisco and Santa Rosa for less than $150 a night, which is rare. I can’t wait to hear back about this hotel, which was once the city’s courthouse.

Oahu I booked the Royal Hawaiian a historic hotel in Waikiki for a milestone anniversary. I booked a newly renovated room with a view and found them a $200 dining credit to use at the property or the Moana Surfrider during their stay.

A cross-country move from Los Angeles to Canada

While writing this issue, I was simultaneously looking for budget-friendly, pet-friendly hotels along the 10, up the 15, to the 80, and across the Midwest. This is something that a busy couple preparing for a move doesn’t have time to do. Fortunately, I do. (Once I press send on this newsletter, I will call a bunch of hotels I selected to confirm the parking situation.)

What’s next for me

I need to write some guides for my Fora profile, which I have been neglecting. I have a long weekend in Montreal itinerary I need to write. If you are wondering where to go in the summer, I hope I can convince you to spend a long August weekend in one of my favorite cities.

Choose Book with Kristen at the top right of the screen, or simply reply to this email.

The best thing you can do right now

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Set up a client portfolio with me.

Onboarding a new client takes time. I conduct a discovery scope call, a client intake process, and securely collect your payment information. This process typically takes a couple of hours.

I’ve had a couple of requests come up that I couldn’t help with because they a) originated from a random message on social media accounts--if I had all of my notifications turned on my phone would die from buzzing b) I had no information on them, such as their budget, address, or personal email--which you need to book.

Something random I was able to do for a client: Book a hotel for them while they were in an airport lounge.

Their flight to Los Angeles was canceled twice, and on the second night, the airline was able to get them to San Diego. With the flight leaving in less than an hour, I was able to discuss and book a hotel in San Diego with them over text while they were in the lounge and on the plane. I also confirmed their after-midnight arrival with the hotel.

I couldn't have done that without their credit card information or hotel loyalty account information in their profile.

That is why setting up a profile early is a great idea.

Choose Book with Kristen at the top right of the screen, or simply reply to this email.

We have so many great things coming through FORA that will make things easier and can save you money, more than I could possibly put in a newsletter.

If you recently subscribed and didn't receive the San Diego to Los Angeles foodie road trip, please reply to this email, and I will send it to you.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Last issue: London Long Layover​

Coming up next: The Rome Guide (I promise)

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