Travel has changed a lot in the past few years. Some of these shifts have been for the better; others, not so much.
That’s why it’s heartening to see so many business leaders working to make the journey easier on people, no matter where they’re from or where they’re going. Some of these lifestyle entrepreneurs are tackling airline annoyances or travel planning hangups. Others are doing their best to enhance the on-the-ground experience for folks who’ve already reached their destinations. A few dabble in a bit of both.
Here’s what they’re working on and what it all might mean for your next vacation.
- David Hoffmann (Hoffmann Family of Companies)
With more than 100 companies in his family portfolio, David Hoffmann is a serial entrepreneur’s serial entrepreneur.
Lately, he’s devoted much of his energy to improving the travel experience for folks heading to a place near and dear to his heart: Augusta, Missouri. Hoffmann grew up not far from Augusta and clearly remains enamored with it.
Over the past few years, he and his team have invested millions in the community and the surrounding vineyards, which are among the oldest and most productive in the United States. The effort has turned Augusta into one of the Midwest’s hottest lifestyle destinations. And all signs suggest that it’s only just getting started.
- Tom Marchant (Black Tomato)
Tom Marchant is the brains behind Black Tomato, a travel planning company that offers perfectly curated, once-in-a-lifetime destination experiences for discerning leisure-seekers.
While Black Tomato does cater to a high-end crowd, it’s not totally out of reach for everyday travelers. Its all-inclusive international experiences often stretch nearly two weeks and leave nothing to chance — an important consideration for those who know just how fast things can do downhill when your travel partner isn’t up to the task.
- Youmie Jean Francois (Flex-n-Fly)
We all know traveling is stressful. Most of us do little more than grumble and get on with it.
Not Youmie Jean Francois. Her company, Flex-n-Fly, is fanatical about removing the jitters from journeying. Its signature service is the “Flex 35,” a short-form “exercise formula” featuring stretching, breathing, and yoga exercises for children and adults 5 and up. You can find hourly classes at participating airports around the U.S. and beyond.
- Scott Keyes (Going, formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
Are you signed up for a cheap flights newsletter?
You should be. Newsletters like Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights after founder Scott Keyes, have helped frequent and not-so-frequent flyers save millions over the years. Each day brings a carefully curated collection of can’t-miss flight deals on sought-after domestic and international routes, often priced at a fraction of the average fare.
You can take your chances with Google Flights or pay a few bucks a month for a surer bet. The choice seems clear enough.
- Kristin Braswell (CrushGlobal)
Curated flights are nice. Curated vacations are even better.
We’ve seen the power of high-end curation in Black Tomato, but that’s not the right fit for everyone. Kristin Braswell’s CrushGlobal is a more accessible solution — one that still allows the end-user (that’s you, fellow traveler) quite a bit of discretion.
Many CrushGlobal clients begin with its expertly crafted road trip guides, but Branswell also offers group experiences and in-depth destination guides for travelers seeking something more.
The World Is Your Oyster
Most of us enjoy the idea of traveling. The reality — well, that’s often a different story.
None of these entrepreneurs has the power to wave a magic wand and make every little travel problem disappear. They can’t guarantee you’ll have an absolutely amazing time on your next trip
But they are working hard to make your experience just a little bit better, which is certainly better than nothing.
