Meet Anna Bennett-Odlum | Professional Travel Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Bennett-Odlum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, what do you attribute your success to?
A brand doesn’t just represent what you do, it represents who you are as an individual. While deciding on building my brand I considered what did I want my brand to represent; what is important to me? For me, that answer was simple. Human rights, civil rights, diversity and inclusion, equality, kindness and quality. In sharing my values through my brand, it ensures that my target audience will usually also share similar values. I will always stand for what’s important to me, no matter who is in the room. I feel that my clients have seen that through me, and it has built trust with my clientele. They know I care for them as a person; I care for their families; I care for their experiences. I extend that same care through my services.

My business is 100% customer centric. I prioritize listening to my clients wants and needs to be able to deliver vacation packages catered specifically to them. I foster a very transparent avenue for communication – tell me what this vacation looks like to you when you close your eyes and dream about it, let’s speak freely about budgets and expectations. When you book with me, you don’t just get someone taking your money and getting you to a destination – you have a knowledgeable travel professional to aid you through every step of your travel experience. I allow my clients the luxury or relieving the stress of planning vacations, and still getting exactly what they want. If there’s any issues while they’re traveling I’m available to them at any time during their vacations and I will personally resolve any issues. I believe strongly in catering to my clients and going the few extra steps: send them client gifts, send them hand written thank you notes, even a simple check in text message really makes all the difference.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My career path has taken me down a few different avenues in the past 2 decades. In all avenues I have been very successful and experienced growth. Historically, my career choices were more coincidental than intentional. I got into food and beverage at 14 and I just bullied my way up to a corporate position working in Training and Development for a national dine-in cinema brand. I experienced tremendous growth with that particular brand: 9 promotions over the course of 6 years. When the needs of the business no longer suited my needs as a parent, I chose to take my talents to a position with a different company that required less travel. It was there that I realized that I didn’t even enjoy what I doing anymore. So, I decided to live on a prayer and I resigned. Again by coincidence, my best friend was able to help get me placed at an entry level position in the world of accounts receivable and credit risk management. Once again, I experienced rapid growth in this field as well, and within two years – I was in a management level position.

Since I was an infant, my father and I would travel extensively, and often. I have loved travel before I even know what love meant. As an adult I am the embodiment of “wanderlust”. New experiences, new cultures, new foods, new climates – travel is absolutely magical. In my spare time I would spend hours and hours researching destinations and accommodations – planning fake vacations. I finally decided to take my passion, my knowledge and resources and use it to help others. Now as a travel advisor, I plan group vacations, adult only vacations and family vacations to all Disney destinations, Universal Orlando Resort, various cruise lines, and the Caribbean and Mexico. For the first time in my life, my career is very intentional and I have never been happier. Working just hits different when it’s something you absolutely love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friends were coming to Atlanta, I’d pull together a blend of activities for all of us to do that would appeal to each of them. (Keep in mind it is holiday season as I’m writing this.)

Day 1:
Have wings from Buffalo House Cafe in Lilburn at the house for the crew as they arrive. Buffalo House Cafe has the best lemon pepper wings on the north side of Metro Atlanta.
Do a murder mystery dinner at “MURDER, MYSTERY, AND MAYHEM AT PETITE VIOLETTE”
After dinner head to the Beltline and grab a couple of drinks at New Realm Brewery. This terrace bar has great views overlooking our beautiful city.

Day 2:
Brunch at Pancake Social at Ponce City Market
Spend the day exploring the Beltline or Ponce City Market
Grab Dinner at Skate the Sky at Ponce City Market – 50 minutes of roof top ice skating with food and beverage served in a rooftop private igloo.

Day 3:
Day Hike at Tallulah Falls & Tallulah Gorge – this is couple of hours outside of Atlanta, but worth it.
Dinner at Iron Age Korean BBQ in Duluth – I love the atmosphere at Iron Age and the meat is unlimited!

Day 4:
Brunch at Pub Ten in Peachtree Corners – The staff is incredible, the food is delicious, and I just love the vibe here.
Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Head to City Winery for dinner and a Candlelight Concert: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics – I love this venue. It’s intimate and beautiful. The food and drinks are all delicious as well.

Day 5:
Brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen in Buckhead
Visit the High Museum or the Aquarium
Head to West Midtown for dinner to grab Sushi at O-Ku. Must get a roof top table here! Another spot with delicious food and great views!
End the day with a comedy show and some cocktails at Laughing Skull Lounge.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My father was a huge impact on me professionally. Since I was 3 he was teaching me about entrepreneurship- had me help him balance his check books, talked to me about certain business decisions he was making, etc. By the time I was 12 I was aiding him in running his successful car wash and detail shop, Mr Waxit in Atlanta. He moved on from Mr. Waxit to become a real estate investor. My father was relentless in his pursuit to financial freedom. I was in awe of his work ethic. In every thing he did he was thorough; he did not believe in cutting corners. He would rather spend more time and be the very best at his craft to deliver the best end result or product rather than spend less time and have more turnover. There were no short cuts to being great. I held on to those beliefs and I keep them with me still.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/getawaywithanna