Women in Tech: Diane Cook
tl;dr
A DREAM WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A WISH!
Diane transitioned from corporate travel management to founding her own luxury travel company, betting on herself to offer unique, personalized services after 31 years in the industry.
She focuses on curating travel experiences by sea, land, and air.
Diane is a World Traveler; a Professional, Certified Travel Advisor with a 40 year Travel Career. She left her retail travel management position in 2015 to start her own travel company, set up intentionally to work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Named again to the Elite Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist 2024 List and a Virtuoso Advisor. Diane is recognized as a Top Travel Specialist and a member of the world’s most prestigious by invitation only, alliance of luxury and experiential travel professionals and suppliers.
Specializing in Bucket List Travel
By Sea Cruising: Expedition, Luxury, River | Barges | Yachts | Small Ships
By Land: Villas | Safaris | Off The Beaten Path | Food & Wine | Adventure
By Air: Private Jets
7Seas2See Travel is a unique bespoke trip planning company that curates, custom travel planning for individuals and small groups. An Independent affiliate of Trevello Travel.
Visit my website at 7Seas2See Travel to find out more about my travel planning process and how I can bring your Travel Dreams to life!
How did you transition into becoming a founder and start your entrepreneurial journey?
After 31 years in the corporate world, working for all of the big National Travel Brands I realized I would either neither to drink the "Kool Aid" and be all in until retirement or it was time to bet on myself and step out on my own to build my own Travel Company, to be able to live, travel and work remotely.
What sparked the idea for this venture?
My experience is that I had been told my worth and value, this was my part to play in the corporate wheel, conform, play the politics, and get stuff done and there were few opportunities to rise above that. By making the decision to leave that security I was betting on myself to far surpass what I would have achieved in those confines.
How are you scaling the business?
Saying no to business that doesn't thrill me, is not the best use of my time;to leave space for the business that does thrill me and is the best demonstration of my value to my clients.
What are the next steps for your business?
Bringing on an assistant in the new year to handle functions that do not require my expertise, so that I can focus on the business tasks that only I can do which is the curated Travel Planning. With my knowledge and experience to know the best expedition or luxury cruise product, private tour, experience, villa, ski resort etc. To give words to each so that my clients understand the nuances and why this would be the best option and bring the most value for them.
What is a major takeaways you’ve learned through your journey as a founder?
Say Yes, and then figure it out.
How has the network that you gained through CWN helped you?
Connection with my ideal client. Successful entrepreneurs, 45+, that value their time and want to adventure off the beaten path, get the behind the curtain experiences and check off those bucketlist travel places and experiences.
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