Meet MoIeshia Johnson | Travel Agency Owner/Travel Host

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

Hi MoIeshia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most important decision I have ever made besides working for myself would be following my own path. In todays society it has become a trend to follow others on social media or simply allow others to tell you what you should be doing. Its easy to see a successful black lawyer or doctor and think oh wow, I want to be just like him/her. Granted career paths like that are amazing and I think those who follow them are strong and outstanding individuals. But what if that’s not actually your path is? But you followed it because you watched family members do so or you thought it looked cool seeing someone else in a white coat on Instagram. I know individuals with doctorates who began their own business in unrelated career paths and make 5-10 times more or nursing students who are looking for an out and hoping to start their own business because the career isn’t bringing them happiness. The path you follow should be what brings you joy and happiness. Most people follow certain path just because the dollar signs that come with them. When I was much younger an older lady at my church told me to go to school and major in something you are passionate about. I have always been extremely passionate about Animals. I knew just having an animal science degree without a doctorate wouldn’t make me any money, after freshman year I knew an additional 4-5 years of college wasn’t an option either. That didn’t deter me from my path because of passion and wanting to attend school to learn about something I loved. I followed this same mentality with my own business. Beginning out, I made a few bucks here and there. That didn’t make me give up on it or pursue other things. I continued to follow my own path, although I swayed numerous of times because of social media. Examples would be, I started my Masters knowing I have a strong dislike for school because I kept seeing graduates on instagram. I interned at trucking company for a few months because I kept seeing others discuss how much they made in trucking. I bought a realtors course a few months ago because I bought my first home and noticed how much my realtor made in commission and thought that would be cool. Each time I swayed I told myself that may not be my path. I advised myself to put that time into my current business and continue to water it. I continued my path even when family members told me it wouldn’t make me any money. I continued my path even when I wasn’t making much when I first started five years ago. I continued to walk along my own path up until today. Five years later and I am beginning to see the fruits of my labor and it was truly worth it.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a travel agency called Travel By MoIeshia. I have worked hands on with over a thousand people within the past five years. I assist my clients with planning, payment plans, and continue to assist with pre travel and during travel for first timers. I proud to say that I am not just a travel agent that books the trip and send them the confirmations. My clients know they can call me at any time of the hour and I will talk to them to get through anything. In 2021, I branched out and added an addition to my company called Traveling with Mo. I traveled alone so much I always had people asking to join. I now host group trips with like minded travelers. What I am proud of in this business is that I am the only travel host I know who is not finessing travelers with expensive trips. I pride myself in offering affordable trips rather than charging them double and triple the amount of the trip just because I am hosting it.
I often see travel host charge $4000 for a group trip with no flights, while I offer trips to Dubai with flights, hotel, yacht, and dinner in the sky for under $2,000. I just enjoy allowing others the opportunity to see that traveling isn’t as expensive as most people think.
I got into this business my traveling myself. I started traveling alone at age 18 when I found myself extremely depressed. I started going places where people in my small hometown only ever saw on social media. Everyone wanted to know where, how, and who booked it. That is how my company started up. My business isn’t easy, more so because pleasing other humans can be a pretty exhausting job. Over the years you learn how to be excellent with customer service.
The lessons I have learned along the way is pick and choose who you do business with. All business isn’t good business, and all money isn’t good money. So rather than just taking any clients for money have a standard for the type of clients you would want to work with.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to my favorite spots outside of the city. Most people are unaware that Atlanta has some amazing waterfalls on the outskirts of the city.
I would take them to Toccoa Falls and Minnehaha Falls located north of the city, I will add photos of both on here.
We would hike Stone Mountain one morning.

For Brunch, I would take them to Milk and Honey.
We would of course have to go to the Belt Line for lunch and a evening in the park.

Depending on the friend, I would offer other things to do like the Illuminarium, Botanical Garden, Aquarium, Zoo, any of the museums whether history related or not.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I smiled while reading this. Growing up and getting to where I am today I pretty much had to learn everything on my own and do everything on my own. I having a loving family, but supporting and encouraging myself was up to me.
I spent most of my time closed off to everyone because I was carrying such a heavy load from age 18 up until now.
I supported myself through college on my own, attended school, joined the military, did ROTC in college, worked on campus, and ran my own business at the same time with no outside motivation. So I don’t actually have anyone I would want to dedicate this to.

Don’t put this in there though, lol.

Website: www.travelbymoieshia.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

Other: Tik Tok: molifetravels