Meet Ashley Lay | Travel Agent

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I can’t say that I have ever been labeled a risk taker but if I have learned anything from the last two years, it is that tomorrow is not promised and to take the risks or opportunities when they occur. For 12 years, I have spent 180+ days of each year inside of a classroom with some of the most remarkable 12 and 13 years olds. Teaching seventh grade was never something I saw myself doing. Not only did I have the opportunity to teach them science, I had the rare chance to prepare them for life and all of the highs and lows it would hand them. I realized during our time in quarantine that something had shifted inside of me. Midway through quarantine, I realized the spark inside that once shined so brightly for the classroom had begun to flicker and acknowledged the shift in focus going more towards the travel industry. While I was pushing them to chase their dreams and pursue every opportunity that came their way, I realized I was not heeding my own advice. I mentioned this to my husband and he admitted that my conversation regarding school had even taken a downward turn with more complaining than the usual uplifting stories of successful students.

It was that summer that I decided to pursue the idea of me leaving the classroom, abandoning the years of college courses and countless degrees, to chase the spark I was ready to get back. I was going to take the biggest risk of my life by walking away from the safety of my salary-based classroom to pursue my side-job as a commission paid Travel Agent. After months of prayer and financial planning, I knew this direction was the right move. Stepping out in faith to find that happiness I once felt made my heart swell…that big, cheesy smile type of happy.

What should our readers know about your business?
Travelmation is a full service Travel Agency that offers complimentary travel planning services. We are set apart from other travel agencies because there are no service fees added into the cost of booking your trip. Travelmation is unlike any other travel agency because we invest in our clients. We make sure their dreams become a reality. I am most proud of Travelmation for the sheer resilience we have shown by continuing to help clients navigate their personal travel concerns through a pandemic that shook the travel world. Without top-knotch leadership and unmatched partnerships with vendors, we would not be booking travel today. Each day taught me that no matter what obstacle got in the way, we would come out on top with our client’s best interests in mind.

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.
The perfect day in Atlanta would start with breakfast at HomeGrown, followed by a bike ride around the beltline, snagging a few head scratches for those good boys at the Piedmont Dog Park, and ending with a delicious lunch and good drink at New Realm Brewery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, my husband and family, who never once made me feel like I had officially lost my marbles when I made this leap of faith. Thank you for supporting me through years of college, moving classroom after classroom, and helping me mind all of my Ps and Qs in this transition. I love you all very much.

Second, my Union Grove family. Over the last 12 years, I have spent more time with the seventh grade teachers than my own family. Thank you for being the best co-workers a girl could ask for. I appreciate you all so much. When you hear a rogue “Caw Caw” down the hallway, I hope it brings a smile to your face. Forever a Wolverine.

Lastly, a HUGE thank you to my Travelmation family. Adam Duckworth, you are by far the greatest leader we could ask for. Your belief in us is unending and your encouragement is unmatched. To my circle of trust, I would not be taking this leap without your words of affirmation and constant push for success. Thank you for standing beside me every step of this journey! I’m thankful I have each of you beside me for this next phase in life.

Website: https://www.travelleaders.com/travel_agent/agent-details.aspx?id=119789

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleylayadventures