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

Hi Jill, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Personally, determination. Don’t give up! Sounds cliche’ but never stop trying til you succeed and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. In regards to making my business a success, it’s REFERRALS! Like any small business, having clients, friends and family refer me to their friends and family is huge! Positive reviews, word of mouth and the use of my Social Media pages has gotten me to where I am today! I’m always trying to stay on top of marketing options as well. Trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone has proven to be successful! It also helps that I work for an amazing award winning agency, Hi Ho Vacations! Great service means repeat clients and perks!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What many don’t realize about travel advisors/planners is that we are FREE! Yes, FREE. We work for you! How it works? Well, when you book at trip to Disney or Universal (or other destinations like All-Inclusives!), there is a built in commission into your stay, you just don’t see it. If you book it directly online yourself, that commission just goes back to the company, whereas if you book through me, that commission comes to me. Most don’t know that we are also not paid until AFTER you travel. So with COVID, this was especially hard for travel advisors and agencies. If someone wasn’t traveling, then I/we are not paid. However, I was still working extremely hard to help those who needed to cancel their trips and reschedule them! That is why it is so important to use a travel advisor like myself. Instead of YOU being on hold for hours to try to get it fixed, you can just sit back and let me do that for you. We have dedicated phone lines just for our level of agency too! Beyond that, I do so much to make sure you have an amazing trip without lifting a finger! I will have a consultation with you about your wishes for your trip. I help with what resort would best fit your families needs. I help with dining recommendations and reservations along with any other special experiences you want to experience. I provide a travel packet prior to your trip with recommendations, tips, tricks and customized itinerary! I then will help you During your trip if you need me! Once you have completed your trip, then I am paid! I so love hearing from clients while on their trip about how much fun they’re having and thanks to me for knowing a little tip that made it even little more special! Just know I work for you and love making your family trip just as special as if it were my own trip! I truly enjoy planning and helping you every minute!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised here in Dallas area. Grew up in Canyon Creek in Richardson. Currently live in north Dallas with my husband and 2 daughters, 6 & 8. I just love this city! I have really become a fan of the Dallas Arboretum. I would spend a day enjoying the smells and views there. Dinner and drinks that evening probably on Greenville avenue. Terrilli’s has always been a favorite of mine, but there are so many neat places to enjoy roof top view of Downtown Dallas. Klyde Warren park and food trucks is always a must with beautiful weather, as well as a trip to the Dallas Zoo and/or Aquarium. I do think Fort Worth Zoo is better, but a bit of a drive for us. However, downtown Fort Worth is always a good time with the Stockyards! There are so many great options! If you want to venture up to Frisco, visit IKEA if you dare, check out the Star where the Dallas Cowboys train and walk around the new Legacy West area. Great restaurants lots of shopping and kid friendly environment to enjoy a long afternoon in the Texas sun! I enjoy trying new things and can’t wait to see what’s in store in the next year for Dallas!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My agency, Hi Ho Vacations and fellow planners has helped get me to where I am. Hi Ho is award winning agency. We are Platinum EarMarked with Disney and UPreferred with Universal. We are a small agency with only 35 planners, but mighty in comparison to some of the other very large agencies out there. The owner Holly and the team of planners are exactly that, a team. We support, encourage and help each other daily. Each one of our individual success makes the teams success that much better. Of course, my family and especially my husband have encouraged me and helped me along the way. He is my biggest cheerleader and advocate. He will always let others know what I do, if the time presents itself. He makes a living in sales and client relations, so having his advice and suggestions is always a great asset to my success.

Website: www.hihovacations.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/texandoesdisney AND www.instagram.com/funinthesunwithjill

Facebook: www.facebook.com/texandoesdisney AND www.facebook.com/funinthesunwithjill

Other: My TexanDoesDisney pages focuses on Disney and Universal destinations and my FunInTheSunWithJill pages focuses on All-Inclusives and Cruising. I created my All Inclusive page this January 2021 as to give my clients the option of what route to follow.

Image Credits
Myself or Disney photo pass images I purchased.

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.