Although I did not say the word "gal" in the article (you know how reporters and editors change things for the local flavor--letting you know Muncie is jus' plain KUNTRY!--I never say "gal") I still thank Kathy Kirby of the Star Press, and Nikki Smith of Black Enterprise Magazine Online for covering our venture which, to me and my hubby Kenny, was just a common sense thing to do. Like "duh!" why not make cash and perks since we gotta travel anyway and folks do it on their own. How hard is that? Sheesh!
Anyway, the copy of the Star Press article is below, and our first two partners are WOMEN. (See, we need to run the country because we're just plain smarter than men, at least the ones in Congress and the White House and the Supreme Court. Sistahs, let's all team up (seriously) 'cause I'm ready to take over, how 'bout y'all. Plus, organizations (they didn't say this in the story) can be getting paid royalties in the form of donations for anyone who books travel thru their site if they set this up for their non-profit. But hey, we want folks to be happy.
(So if Debbie did Dallas, let me help you do the world! (smile). Better now before we all take that eternal sky trip.)
Article published Feb 20, 2006 Muncie Couple Open Online Travel Agency
By KATHY KIRBY kkirby(AT)muncie.gannett.com
Making history means different things to Cynth'ya Lewis Reed.
"It can mean getting a new hairdo, doing something a little different in your everyday life," she reflected. "Or it can be something monumental, like turning 95 years old, like this [gal] I know did recently."
Or it can prompted by a life-changing decision, like taking on a new career challenge.
A few weeks ago, Cynth'ya and her husband, Kenneth, began their own online travel agency -- The R and L Group
"This time we've really done it!" she said, laughing enthusiastically.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would do something like this, but now it all makes perfect sense."
It's not that they are at a loss for things to do. A Muncie freelance writer, Cynth'ya also is a speaker, activist and media consultant for Internet radio.
Kenneth -- known to most people as "Mr. Reed" -- has been a teacher for 32 years, currently teaching at Northside Middle School. Now one can see the couple's photo at www.TheRandLGroup.com -- their business's new Web site.
They have more than one reason for taking the business plunge.
"We are baby boomers and are at the age to start thinking a little about retirement," Kenneth commented. "It's important in today's world to diversify yourself and not pigeon-hole yourself in one area. This is one reason why we've taken this big step."
Their venture began when they bought into an Internet travel business opportunity offered by yourTravelBiz (yourTravelBiz.com) with headquarters in Edwardsville, Ill.
"It's a home-business trend just coming into the Midwest," he said. "The beauty of it is that we can do this from our own home," Cynth'ya attested. "We are in control of how profitable we want to make it."
So far, they have had contact with people from Chicago, Savannah and Atlanta, Ga., Anderson, and Muncie who want to book vacations. "They seem to be all waiting for their tax refunds," she said. "When they get them, we'll really get busy."
Cynth'ya did a quick search to see how much a trip to New York City would be May 26-June 3, including airfare and a hotel room near Rockefeller Center. "There are so many options, but I think the best deal I can get you if you want a nice room is $2,741.16 -- not bad," she said within a matter of minutes. "This is another reason why we will enjoy this -- helping people take a vacation they can afford and enjoy."
Cynth'ya has experience in making travel arrangements for herself and others. She often did it when she was associate director for Gov. Evan Bayh's Commission of Drug-Free Indiana at Ball State University.
Today, the Reeds are counting on business projections by travel experts coming true. "The travel market is expected to explode because of all of the baby boomers who will be retiring," Kenneth commented.
The couple also have philanthropic plans for their online travel agency.
"We want to help trade associations, event planners, churches, youth groups and non-profit organizations get the best travel rates they can," Cynth'ya said.
And, yes, they do plan on mixing business with pleasure. "We hope to go to Las Vegas on spring break," she said with a wide grin. "It will be at an affordable cost for us."
(SURVEY SAYS:
By the way here is a demo site we're considering using to share, which do you like best? Remember they are only demo sites:
Let me know so we can include this on the website we share with people. Remember, the above two links are just demos we're looking at as part of our travel marketing. cynth'ya
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