Meet Ileaa Swift, Innovative Woman and found
er of Swift Travel Deals which offers an avenue for everyone to travel regardless of their budget or need.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
My idea to start Swift Travel Deals was to create an avenue to allow everyone to travel the world, regardless of budget or need. We offer payment plan options on worldwide travel and cruises with low deposits (as low as $50 down) and we specialize in many areas including special needs and disability travel.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest obstacle was learning to trust myself and take risks. In the beginning it was just me. I didn’t have employees, I didn’t have a “creative team” to help me make decisions. I just followed my heart, learned the facts and made decisions based off of the things that I felt were true to me.
3. How do you define SUCCESS
Success is doing something that you absolutely love and earning a living while doing so! I also think people who are in control of their own time are successful. I believe happiness is the key to success. Because I love what I do everyday and it makes me happy, I think that makes me successful.
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
I wish I knew that I would have to sacrifice sleep and vacations! I’m a avid traveler and lover of culture and our beautiful Earth, but as a business owner with a growing business, I have to sacrifice my personal vacation time in order to make sure that my business operates efficiently. With a staff of new agents on board, I like to make sure I am available to assist my agents in order to help them provide exceptional services to our clients.
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
I am an innovative woman because I used my passion for travel to create and build Swift Travel Deals. Within two years of being in business I have created several different areas of travel that we specialize in and our list continues to grow. My goal is to continue to innovate new services to offer to our clients.
- Swift Travel Deals Travel Specializations: Adventure Travel, All Inclusive,Amusement/Theme Parks, Art & Culture Travel, Canal/River Cruises, Babymoons, Beach Vacations, Boating/Yachting/Sailing, Budget Travel, Business Travel, Camping/Outdoor/RV, Castles/Villas, Cruises, Conferences and Itinerary Planning, Culinary/Cooking Tours, Corporate Retreats, Customized Travel Packages, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, Disabled/Accessible/Special Needs Travel, Disney, Eco-Tourism, Family Vacations, Fishing/Hunting, Gay and Lesbian Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Guy Trips, Golf Trips, Government Travel, Group Vacations, Leisure Travel, Luxury Travel, Meeting Planning & Events, Motor coach/Bus trips, Music and Performing Arts, Nature, Rail, Religious, Reunions, Safari, Singles, Ski/Winter Sports, Sports Teams, Student/Youth, Tours, Travel with a Purpose, Wellness and Medical Travel!
I created our new Swift Travel Deals Travel with a Purpose Program, which I am really proud of. The Swift Travel Deals Travel with a Purpose Program that will allow travelers the opportunity to travel the world for leisure but also participate in volunteer efforts such as beach cleanups and volunteering at orphanages, hospitals, etc. in order to become socially and environmentally aware. I also created a payment plan system for my company that allows book now/pay later travel options.
I was inspired to create the Swift Travel Deals Travel with a Purpose Program after traveling the world and witnessing impoverished regions and learning about different cultures, customs and hardships of people around the world. During my travels, I love to take tours of the cities and visit with the local people. However, witnessing the poverty levels first hand and having candid conversations with people from around the world inspired me to use my voice in the travel industry to create a program that makes social and economical responsibility a priority while encouraging others to see the importance in travel for a greater purpose. The Swift Travel Deals Travel With A Purpose Program is an avenue for travelers to travel the world for leisure but also make an impact to the location or leave the “destination” better than they found it. My goal is for everyone in the program to return to their homes with a new worldview and a new perspective by seeing the world differently through the eyes of people around. The program allows travelers the opportunity to travel the world for adventure, culture and sightseeing while also impacting the lives of others by traveling the world with a purpose.
For more information about Swift Travel Deals or to connect with Ileaa, visit www.swifttraveldeals.com or connect with her on Facebook, or Twitter.