How many folks do you know who honestly love what they do for a living?
Certainly, being self-employed can be a real plus. When frequent travel for both business and pleasure is thrown into the mix, that really sounds like a dream job.
Meet Aggie Lewis, of Oak Lawn, who is one happy travel specialist. She also is the owner of Aggie’s Travel Inc.
Lewis, a travel agent since 1992, took the plunge and opened her own travel business in 2009 and has never looked back. She operates from her home and has two independent agents working with her: Joanne Gulino and Megan Amelio.
Lewis likes to think that her situation allows her to serve clients with “greater flexibility to meet their individual needs.”
We all know how important vacations are.
“We understand that time off is some of the most valuable time that clients have,” Lewis said. “A travel professional will make sure that their vacation time provides the most value for their budget. We have the expertise to help select the best destination for them.”
Lewis recently became a Certified Luxury Specialist, pursuing her certification at an industry event, one of several certifications she has earned.
She said one thing that agents like her offer than an online service can’t is “that personal touch.” And her fees are not paid by her customers but by travel vendors.
Lewis said she serves an average of about 1,000 clients per year, helping them enjoy destinations worldwide. Her personal favorite destination spot is Hawaii — specifically staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Not surprising, Lewis and her family — Todd, her husband of 25 years, plus their grown children, Jenna and Robert — often take family vacations. They recently enjoyed time cruising in Hawaii and skiing in Colorado.
One of Lewis’ most memorable trips occurred in 1995, she said. While flying to Orlando for a Disney travel seminar and certification, Lewis said, she was given a last-minute upgrade to first class by Delta Airlines only to find out that her flight mates included several former Cubs players en route to a convention. As a huge Cubs fan, this was a dream come true for her, and she later got autographs from such greats as Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Ernie Banks and Glenn Beckert when they met later at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
At 11 a.m. Jan. 31, Lewis will host Aggie’s Travel Show at the Stony Creek Golf Course banquet facility in Oak Lawn.
For more information, contact Lewis at (708) 899-0891 or email [email protected].
Regina “Reggie” Sabadosa is a freelance writer who covers the Oak Lawn community. She can be emailed at [email protected].
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