Well, friends, the secret is finally out!
Last week, I shared a little about my nine years in the travel industry and the new chapter ahead. I ended that post with a promise that there were a few surprises still to come.
And today, I finally get to share one of the biggest!
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I am a Founding Executive and Travel Agent with the brand-new 1313 Travel Co.!
I have the incredible opportunity to help build something new from the very beginning, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead!
When One Door Closes, Another Opens
When I made the decision to leave my previous travel agency, I didn’t have every detail of my next chapter figured out. I just knew that something needed to change. And surprisingly, I was okay with not knowing exactly what would come next.
It reminded me of something that happened many years ago when I left my corporate career at Coca-Cola. I had absolutely no idea that just two weeks later, I’d be opening a travel business that would change my life in ways I never could have imagined.
Marme has always said that when one door closes, another opens. I’ve found that to be true more than once in my life!
Introducing 1313 Travel Co.
Where Dream Vacations Live.
I’m so excited to introduce you to 1313 Travel Co., a brand-new travel agency founded by Jennifer Kozlow, a longtime friend and fellow travel agent with 15 years of experience planning extraordinary vacations.
And here’s a little detail I especially love. The name 1313 comes from the address of Disneyland Park, 1313 Disneyland Drive. For a team of Disney-loving travel agents, I can’t imagine a more perfect name!
Jennifer has dreamed of building her own travel agency for years, and I’m so honored to join her as a Founding Executive, alongside my dear friend Shannon.
Between the three of us, we have 39 years of combined experience, more than 8,000 vacations planned and over $45 million in travel booked. We’ve spent years exploring destinations firsthand, getting to know our travelers and helping families celebrate some of the most important moments in their lives.
Now we have the opportunity to put all of that experience to work in creating something new!
What makes this especially meaningful is that we’re creating an agency around three values we genuinely believe in.
Family is who we are.
We treat our clients and fellow agents like family, supporting one another, sharing what we know and celebrating each other’s successes.
Integrity is how we operate.
We believe in being honest, transparent and always putting our clients’ best interests first.
Expertise is what we bring.
We know our destinations, continue learning and use that knowledge to help our clients make the most of every vacation.
From Disney and Universal vacations to cruises, luxury getaways and adventures around the world, 1313 is all about making dream vacations a reality.
And let me tell you, helping get a brand-new travel agency off the ground has been quite a ride!
I may or may not have described the experience as Jennifer taking off in the car before I’ve even managed to get all the way in, buckle my seat belt, plug in my phone, check my lipstick in the mirror and lock the door. Meanwhile, she’s already taking hairpin turns and I’m hanging on for dear life!
It’s been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Being involved in launching 1313 has reinvigorated my excitement for this business in the best possible way. It’s given me the opportunity to use so many of the skills I developed during my corporate career, along with everything I’ve learned as a travel agent.
And there’s something incredibly rewarding about helping create a place where you truly believe in the people, the mission and the possibilities ahead.
I’m incredibly proud to be part of this founding team and can’t wait to see what comes next!
What Does This Mean for Dixie Travels?
For those wondering what this new chapter means for Dixie Travels, there’s one thing I especially want you to know.
I’m still THE Amanda. I’m still planning vacations. And I’m still just as obsessed with the little details that make a trip extraordinary!
The personalized attention, firsthand recommendations and thoughtful planning you’ve come to expect from me aren’t going anywhere.
What I’m most excited about is the opportunity to share my experience with a new agency while continuing to do the work I love: helping families make incredible memories together.
Book Your Next Vacation With Me!
Whether you’re dreaming of the magic of Walt Disney World, setting sail with Disney Cruise Line, experiencing the thrills of Universal Orlando or escaping to a beautiful luxury resort, I’d love to help you plan an extraordinary vacation.
From Disney Destinations and Universal to cruises, Adventures by Disney, Aulani, Royal Caribbean and luxury hotel stays, I specialize in creating thoughtfully planned vacations filled with unforgettable experiences.
My approach is simple: exceptional vacations, expertly planned. I combine firsthand destination knowledge, personalized recommendations and attention to detail to help you make the most of your time away.
If you’re new here, I’d love for you to explore a little more about working with me:
Meet Amanda & Explore My Travel Experience
How My Vacation Planning Services Work
Read Reviews from My Travel Clients
Ready to start planning? I’d love to hear where you want to go!
We’re Growing! Join the 1313 Team
Here’s another exciting part of this announcement. We’re welcoming applications from independent contractor travel agents!
Whether you’re an experienced travel agent looking for a new professional home or someone just beginning to explore a career in travel, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for people who love travel, enjoy helping others, are organized and detail-oriented and are ready to treat their travel business like a business. Whether you’re interested in working part time or full time, what matters is your commitment to your clients and your willingness to learn and grow.
And yes, if you love Disney, Universal, cruising and exploring the world as much as we do, you’ll fit right in! We’re building a team where you can share your enthusiasm for your favorite destinations and proudly wear your mouse ears. We take our work and our responsibility to our clients seriously, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way!
I know firsthand how rewarding this career can be. I’ve also learned that there’s a lot more to being a successful travel agent than loving Disney or enjoying vacations!
I’m especially excited about helping build a team where experience is shared, questions are encouraged and everyone has the opportunity to grow their own business.
1313 Travel Co. is currently accepting applications from independent contractor travel agents, including both experienced agents and those new to the industry.
You can also learn more on the 1313 Travel Co. Join the Team page.
Travel agents with 1313 Travel Co. operate as independent contractors, not employees.
An Important Reminder About How to Reach Me
With all of these exciting changes, I also want to make sure everyone knows exactly where to find me.
My current email address is [email protected].
If you have an older email address saved for me from my previous travel agency, please update your contacts. My former agency email address was given to a different person, and messages sent there do not reach me.
If you receive a message from my former email address, please let me know right away.
You can also continue to find me here on Dixie Delights, on Instagram and through my vacation consultation form.
Here’s to What’s Next!
When I first started planning vacations, I thought it might be a fun little side business.
I never imagined it would grow into a career I love so much, introduce me to so many wonderful families or open the door to opportunities like this one.
I’m so grateful for the clients, readers, friends and family who have encouraged me along the way. You’ve supported Dixie Travels, trusted me with your vacations and made it possible for me to continue doing something I truly love.
And now, I get to help create something new.
Here’s to 1313 Travel Co., new beginnings, wonderful adventures and all the dream vacations still to come!
Where Dream Vacations Live.
Dixie Delights
travel • home • celebrations • everyday delights
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Dixie Travels
exceptional vacations • expertly planned
Disney • Universal • Cruises • Luxury Hotels
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A Quick Reminder
My former agency email address has been given to another travel agent, and messages sent there will not reach me.
Please make sure you’re using my current email address: [email protected].