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Exploring Life & Business with Kendra Carver of Kendra and Company Travel Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Carver.

Hi Kendra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Kendra and Company Travel Agency began long before it ever had a name.

I have always been the planner in my family. Every trip we took—big or small—was carefully thought out and meticulously organized. I created binders and folders for each family member, complete with itineraries, confirmations, packing lists, and travel notes. Travel planning wasn’t stressful to me; it was something I genuinely loved. I found joy in the research, the structure, and the satisfaction of knowing every detail was handled before we ever left home.

As family and friends began noticing this, they started asking me to plan their trips as well. What began as a favor quickly grew into something more. I was spending hours designing itineraries, comparing options, and ensuring each trip felt seamless and intentional. Even then, my focus wasn’t just on destinations—it was on the experience as a whole.

Curious about turning that passion into a profession, I put out a simple feeler on Facebook asking about opportunities in the travel industry. That post connected me with a small, local travel agency and became my official entry point into the business.

Working with that agency gave me a foundation in the industry and access to supplier relationships, but the real growth came through experience. I made plenty of mistakes along the way—some of them costly. I learned quickly that travel planning leaves very little room for error, and every misstep carried a lesson. Those early challenges forced me to become sharper, more proactive, and far more detail-driven. I didn’t grow by avoiding mistakes; I grew by owning them, correcting them, and making sure they never happened again.

As my skills sharpened, my client base grew—organically and rapidly. Clients referred friends and family, and soon I was planning more complex trips with higher expectations and greater responsibility. It became clear that both my clientele and my vision had outgrown the structure of a small, local agency.

That realization led to the creation of Kendra and Company Travel Agency.

From the beginning, I was intentional about building a brand centered on elevated service, thoughtful design, and clear communication. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all travel. Every itinerary is custom-crafted, every detail is intentional, and every client relationship is built on trust. I charge a design fee because what I provide is not transactional—it’s professional expertise, organization, advocacy, and peace of mind.

Today, Kendra and Company Travel Agency plans honeymoons, destination weddings, group travel, luxury cruises, and bespoke vacations around the world. The agency’s growth has been entirely relationship-driven, fueled by referrals and repeat clients who trust us with milestone moments in their lives.

What began with color-coded binders and family folders has evolved into a luxury travel agency—but the heart of it remains unchanged. Every trip is still approached with the same care, intention, and attention to detail that defined the very beginning, shaped by lessons learned the hard way and standards earned over time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—and I don’t think meaningful growth ever is. One of the earliest challenges was narrowing my focus and allowing myself to truly lean into a niche. I found that romance travel—honeymoons, destination weddings, and milestone celebrations—was what I genuinely loved and where I delivered my best work. Choosing to specialize meant saying no to trips that didn’t align with that vision, which can feel risky, especially in the early stages of building a business. But that decision ultimately allowed me to attract the right clients and build a brand with clarity and purpose.

Another major challenge came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many in the travel industry, everything I had built was suddenly paused. Trips were canceled or postponed, rules changed daily, and client anxiety was understandably high. That period tested not only my business, but my resilience. It forced me to pivot quickly, advocate fiercely for my clients, and rebuild systems that prioritized communication, protection, and flexibility. While it was one of the most difficult seasons of my career, it also strengthened my agency and reinforced the value of working with a professional travel advisor during uncertain times.

Looking back, the road hasn’t been smooth—but it has been purposeful. Each challenge refined my vision, strengthened my confidence, and helped build Kendra and Company Travel Agency into the thoughtful, service-driven brand it is today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kendra and Company Travel Agency ?
Kendra and Company Travel Agency is a boutique luxury travel agency built on thoughtful planning, elevated experiences, and genuine relationships. At our core, we design custom travel for clients who want more than a trip—they want an experience that feels seamless, intentional, and personal from start to finish.

We specialize in romance travel, including honeymoons, destination weddings, anniversaries, and milestone celebrations, along with elevated group travel and luxury cruises. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments, and we approach them with a level of care and attention that reflects how meaningful they are to our clients. Every itinerary we create is custom-crafted, never templated, and designed around how our clients want to feel while traveling—not just where they’re going.

What we’re most known for is our high-touch, white-glove approach. Clients often tell us that the planning process itself feels calm and effortless because every detail is handled with clarity and precision. We are deeply involved at every stage—anticipating needs, managing logistics, and advocating for our clients so they can truly relax and enjoy the experience.

What sets Kendra and Company apart is intention. We are not a volume-based agency, and we are very selective about the experiences we design. This allows us to maintain an elevated standard and deliver a level of personalization that simply can’t be replicated at scale. Our relationships with our clients are personal, trusted, and long-term—many return to us year after year for life’s most important trips.

From a brand perspective, what I am most proud of is that Kendra and Company has grown entirely through trust and word of mouth. The majority of our business comes from referrals and repeat clients who value the experience we provide and confidently recommend us to others. That kind of loyalty is something we don’t take lightly.

What I want readers to know is that Kendra and Company Travel Agency is about more than travel—it’s about how travel feels. We believe the planning process should be just as refined as the destination itself. When clients work with us, they’re choosing a partner who understands the importance of details, the value of time, and the beauty of a truly well-designed journey.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was naturally organized, observant, and thoughtful—but I was also very much an extrovert. I’ve always been energized by people, conversation, and connection. I enjoyed being around others, bringing people together, and making sure everyone felt included and comfortable.

I had a strong appreciation for structure and details early on. I liked things to make sense and flow well, not just for myself but for everyone involved. Planning came naturally to me, whether it was organizing activities, mapping things out, or making sure experiences felt intentional. At the same time, I had a creative side and enjoyed thinking about how moments could be elevated or made more memorable.

I was—and still am—deeply people-oriented. I paid attention to how experiences made others feel and understood that small details could completely change the tone of a moment. That combination of being both detail-driven and outgoing shaped how I connected with people and how I approached responsibility even at a young age.

Looking back, it’s easy to see how those traits carried into my career. The organization, the love of planning, the energy I get from working with people, and the desire to create meaningful experiences are all at the heart of Kendra and Company Travel Agency today. I may not have known exactly what it would become back then, but the foundation was always there.

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