Meet Marissa Waiters | Travel Advisor & Travel Agency Host Owner

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

Hi Marissa, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I started my business in 2019, I was working a full-time 9-5 job with the federal government. I’d come home and shift straight into business mode by helping clients, booking trips, and hitting sales goals. At the same time, I was earning my Master’s in Communication. It was a lot, but I was committed to building something meaningful.

Since then, my life has grown alongside my business. I got married in 2022, had a baby in 2024, and through it all, I’ve continued running a high-volume travel agency with over 600 clients a year. As things picked up, I knew I couldn’t do it all alone, especially with a husband, a child, and clients depending on me. That’s when I made the decision to hire help, and honestly, that changed everything. Delegating tasks has allowed me to focus on what I do best and be fully present in both my family life and my business.

Balance for me now is all about being intentional. I’m not chasing perfection, I’m prioritizing what matters, creating systems, and giving myself grace when things don’t go exactly as planned. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Spread Your Wings Travel Agency® started as a side hustle while I was working a 9-5 with the federal government. I launched it in 2019, and it slowly became so much more than I ever imagined. By 2022, I had grown it enough to leave my full-time job and go all in. Now, I’m working harder than ever, but it’s work I genuinely love.

Running a travel agency during COVID was… a test. The rules changed every day, and clients were anxious, confused, and looking for answers. I had to be flexible, quick to learn, and constantly ready to pivot. Add to that the fact that I manage hundreds of clients a year, and sometimes people expect us to be magicians, pulling off miracles with no details or notice. And honestly, a lot of people still don’t fully understand what travel agents do in today’s world. We’re not just booking flights and hotels, we’re creating experiences, handling logistics, and being the go-to person when something goes sideways.

What sets Spread Your Wings® apart is how personal we make travel planning. It’s not one-size-fits-all. We get to know our clients, their travel style, their preferences, and we plan like it’s our own trip. I’m proud that we’ve built a brand that feels approachable, fun, and professional all at once. We make travel feel easy, even when it’s not.

In May 2024, I launched Waiters Travel Consulting, my host agency for new and aspiring travel agents. After growing Spread Your Wings® from the ground up and navigating the highs, lows, and lessons of running a successful agency, I knew I wanted to help others do the same. There are so many people who love to travel and want to turn that passion into a business, but don’t know where to start. So I built the kind of support system I wish I had when I first began. With Waiters Travel Consulting, I get to pour into agents, give them the tools they need to succeed, and help them feel confident running their own travel businesses.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Stay ready and stay grounded. You can’t control everything, especially in travel, but you can control how you respond. And above all, people remember how you made them feel. So I lead with care, confidence, transparency, and creativity, and it’s gotten me this far.

I want the world to know that Spread Your Wings® is more than a name. It’s a reminder that there’s always more out there, more to see, more to learn, more to experience. And we’re here to help you do just that, one trip at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brunch at Johnny’s Chicken and Waffles – crispy chicken, fluffy waffles, and the perfect kickoff to the trip

Walk the Katy Trail – cute little stroll to balance out the brunch

Dinner at Paparazzi Chophouse – upscale vibes, good food, and a whole moment

Lunch at The Fivee Bistro – Black-owned, flavorful, and always a vibe

Spa day at WorldSprings Spa – soaking, relaxing, and recharging

Night out at GVO – dancing, drinks, and good energy

Brunch at Seek Restaurant & Bar – strong drinks + good food = yes please

Check out Cosm Dallas – cool, immersive space for photos and fun

Dinner at Izkina – trendy, sexy, and perfect for a night out

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, my biggest shoutout goes to my husband. In 2019, when I told him I wanted to start my travel business (even though I had no experience in travel), he didn’t hesitate and he believed in me and gave me the money to get it off the ground. That one decision, that act of support, literally changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him cheering me on from day one. He’s been there through the long nights, the busy seasons, the big wins, and the growing pains (because we sure do have them!) His belief in me gave me the confidence to keep going and now, years later, we’re building this life and business together. I’m forever grateful.

Website: https://sywtravel.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/spreadyourwingstravel

Other: https://tiktok.com/spreadyourwingstravel