We had the good fortune of connecting with Holly Woodlee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Holly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, I never really thought about starting my own business. I am actually a nurse by trade and was looking for a way to make some additional income while not spending so many of my hours away from home. You see, as a healthcare provider we sometimes need to have breaks from reality. Travel was my escape. I was incredibly lucky to have grown up on all things Disney. I have been more times than I can count and once I got married and started having kids, they went too. About 5 years ago, we had a big multi-generational trip planned to Walt Disney World, I needed a little extra help planning all the details and found Sabrina with The Enchanted Traveler. She planned out our entire trip and when I got back I decided to apply to the Agency. The rest is history. It is in my nature to help and care for others and I absolutely love helping other families plan their stress free dream vacations. I have been blessed beyond measure to have found my role with The Enchanted Traveler. Life is such an adventure and I am so lucky to be able to help others along their journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our agency is different than other travel agencies in the fact that we work with our clients from the moment of first contact until they literally get home from their trips. Our goal is to create the most detailed custom vacations for our clients that is catered to each families wants and needs. We spend numerous amounts of time coming up with the perfect plan, gathering information, and then finally putting all that information down into a completed detailed daily itinerary for our families. We combine our knowledge with our families wants and desires to create the perfect custom vacation. Not any two itineraries are the same because not any two families are the same. I am incredibly proud of the service we provide to our clients. We get to know each family and by the time they travel we feel more like family than a business transaction. The journey has not exactly been easy in the fact that I had to grow my client list. I pride myself in being upfront and honest about real expectations and goals. I want my clients to feel special and important. It isn’t about the number but the quality of work I provide. Travel can sometimes be hard and my job is to make is easy. I am also certified in IBCCES travel. That just means I am specialty trained in travel for special needs families. I have a son who is high functioning autistic and traveling can be extremely stressful. I have made it a passion of mine to help other families with members of the special needs community to be able to travel easier with my knowledge and support. I just want the world to know that I am made for more. I am meant to love others as myself. I am meant to make a difference in peoples lives. As crazy as this sounds, be the person who makes someone smile today.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a southern girl. Born and raised in the great state of Texas. There are so many fun little spots to visit in Texas.

Here is a little itinerary to keep you busy- can’t give too much away:)

Day 1; Day 1: Austin – go sightseeing, take a dip in the Barton Springs Municipal Pool, & eat classic Texas BBQ food, Of course if the time is right take them to see a UT Texas football game. Did you even come to Texas if you didn’t experience a little football?

Day 2: Austin to San Antonio via the Hill Country – drive through the Hill Country, stopping to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve, Bandera & go horseback riding. Spend your evening at the San Antonio River Walk and grab some authentic Mexican food from Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery.

Day 3: San Antonio – visit the Alamo, browse the Historic Market Square & relax in the Japanese Tea Garden. Spend your evening at Sea World.

Day 4: San Antonio to Houston – drive to Houston, visit the Johnson Space Center (NASA) & explore the city. In the evening head to Kemah Boardwalk and have dinner at Landry’s.

Day 5: Drive from Houston to Galveston and spend your day on Jamaica beach. In the evening head to Pleasure pier and have some authentic seafood on the coast.

Day 5: Galveston to Dallas – drive to Dallas, explore the Bishop Arts District, discover the history of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, & have lunch at the top of Reunion Tower. Spend your evening at the great State Fair of Texas indulging in the best fried food in the U.S.

Day 6: Dallas to Fort Worth – drive to Fort Worth to explore its modern art scene & cowboy heritage. Visit the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Day7; Drive down to Waco and visit Magnolia. Shop until you drop. Stay in a fixer upper house by Joanna Gaines and eat at the Magnolia Table. Take a campus tour of Baylor University “Go Bears”

In Texas we say “yall” and have southern hospitality. I would love to show you around my great state!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My success is mainly contributed to our agency owner Sabrina Tinius. People say management can either make or break a company and there might not be truer words spoken. Effective leadership has the ability to positively influence others to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. I have honestly never worked for a company that encourages and supports us like The Enchanted Traveler does. Sabrina leads us well in her confidence and ability to guide our business. Her training and advise is paralleled to non other. Our agency has people from all over the United States employed. These women have literally been one of the biggest blessings to my life. Not only are they my co-workers but they are some of my dearests friends. Everyone is incredibly supportive and encouraging. Lastly, my family is the best part of me. Without their support and unwavering love, I would not be the person I am today. My husband, and four sons give me the most bountiful life and I am forever grateful.

Website: www.theenchantedtraveler.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enchantedholly/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PixiePlanningbyHolly

Other: holly.woodlee@theenchatedtraveler.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.