It’s hard to really understand the value and weight of connections. When you’re in elementary school, it’s hard to imagine life beyond your zip-code. You know the surrounding towns from the school cancellations on TV or from sports teams, but everything you know is pretty close by. As you grow up, you start to really get a bigger view, and for some, if they’re lucky, they get to experience what is outside The Baystate and use those experiences to shape their future.

I started my professional career as a teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts in 2005. Over the next 18-years or so, I was lucky enough to teach in different parts of the state, only to find myself teaching in my hometown of Wilbraham, Massachusetts. In 2022, I decided to open up my own small business, a full-service travel agency called, “We Do Travel Right.”

I have always felt that being from Massachusetts has given me an advantage when it comes to managing my small business. Although we began with a few Massachusetts based agents, fast forward 3-years and we are now at 70 agents, who reside nationwide.

The values Massachusetts holds close like community, the importance of education and even being innovative, have shaped the culture at We Do Travel Right, creating the ability to have a successful nationwide business, from little ‘ol Western Massachusetts.

Being an educator in Massachusetts during the pandemic taught me so many strategies to be able to communicate and manage projects with others over a screen. The pandemic also taught me about the importance of community, because when students and teachers feel like they are a part of something, they can move mountains. My principal Steve Hale at Minnechaug always stressed how crucial it was for us as a group of educators to stay connected, although we were apart. We participated in virtual trivia, virtual watercolor painting, even had our own virtual talent show. I felt deeply connected with my colleagues and my school community, even though we were not “together.”

Leaning into the culture of community has enabled me to run my business effectively. Since the importance of connection is at our core, we have been able to find people all across the country that have similar work values and who also find importance in the idea of connections. And since travel is a personal experience, it’s been wonderful to be able to connect with those travelers on a deeper level, although they may not be in our backyards. Social Media has been a huge tool for us to connect with both our neighbors and the friends we haven’t met yet.

Having a team with different area codes and time zones does come with its difficulties. Because everyone is a part of our team, we make efforts to respect availability, plan ahead, use different methods of communicating big announcements so that we don’t have any coast-to-coast frustration among the team.

Working with others from around the United States makes us stronger as a Massachusetts based small business. It allows us to provide a white-glove, personalized experience to travelers, no matter where they live. From Florida to California, our travelers know we all work as a team and will make their experience easy, fun, and unforgettable because although we don’t share a zipcode, we share a dedication for client care and experiences.

Distance is our competitive advantage because our community is strong which helps strengthen the brand. Being a Massachusetts small business gave We Do Travel Right a firm foundation, but technology and community gives us flight.

This is a contributed blog post written by Emily Carlson, a distinguished travel agent and the owner of the acclaimed travel agency, We Do Travel Right. With a passion for travel and an exceptional knack for planning, Emily has carved out a niche as a top expert in organizing unforgettable Disney vacations.

Over the years, Emily has built strong relationships within the travel industry, allowing her to partner with different organizations in the field to better serve her clients. She stays up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the travel world, particularly those related to Disney destinations. This dedication to continuous learning and improvement is a cornerstone of her success and sets We Do Travel Right apart from other travel agencies.

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