We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Emma, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am born and raised in Atlanta, GA and have not ventured far between college and professional life. When making those big decisions about where to go to school or where to build a career, I always thought I needed to live somewhere new to live fully as a 20-something. Against advice, I stayed closer to home. Building roots as an adult in the same city I grew up in has proven to be so valuable in starting a company. I have such close connections at home and have been able to build upon those to grow my company, Major Traveler.
My mom is a Flight Attendant with Delta, which offered me the opportunity to see the world from an early age. I developed a true love for the world – all of the unique people, cultures, food, and sites. This grew into a desire to share that love with others. Furthermore, I wanted to make travel happen for others. I found so much beauty in the world and wanted others to see the same. Out of that love, Major Traveler was born. Major Traveler is a luxury travel agency that was founded on these principles of inspiring, equipping and empowering clients to travel. Looking back on my upbringing, it is so clear that my early travel experience created a path for growth in the travel space.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the Founder and Luxury Travel Consultant at Major Traveler, an affiliate of Jet Set World Travel. I founded Major Traveler out of a passion for travel and a desire to inspire, equip and empower clients to travel. I knew I had a passion for travel, but I also uncovered expertise in planning travel – two things that really set us apart! When I first began to consider a career as a Travel Advisor, I found that there were all of these preset itineraries on Pinterest and Google that created confusion around what was truly the best in travel. How are honeymooners supposed to choose between the “Top 50 Best Honeymoon Resorts” when every single list is different? And where did they get these lists anyways? The more I developed an ideal travel consultancy in my head, the more I knew that this is what I was meant to do with my life. And that’s where Major Traveler was born! My clients value bespoke travel, where every single detail was crafted custom to them. I work with each of my clients to formulate the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, outlining the cadence of activity that beats to a rhythm customized specifically for them, harmonizing pace, spontaneity and the right amount of luxury to make an unforgettable vacation.
It has not been the smoothest of roads, especially the last two years! When the pandemic hit this time last year, my world essentially started to unravel. It felt like I had worked incredibly hard over the last few years just to set fire to what I built. I came to understand that while my client’s travel plans were disrupted, their trust in me and my business was solid. This is what my business is built on, after all! 2020 was a hard year to survive in the travel industry as we were at the mercy of government shutdowns, border restrictions and ever-changing testing requirements. However, we survived and truly feel that we came out stronger and having built further trust with clients.
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?
Luckily, I think Atlanta is a really fun city! Drinks and apps at Storico Vino (assuming it’s a pretty Spring day!)
Le Colonial for a tapas dinner. Chicken and brussel sprouts are a must.
I’m not one for a super late night, but we would definitely be ending the evening at the St. Julep Rooftop at the Kimpton Hotel.
Morning walk along the Beltline to Krog Street with a stop for Superica brunch (my personal favorite restaurant in the city). It’s fairly filling so that might be the only activity for the day – nap time is a must!
The next day would most definitely involve drinks at the Garden Room at the St. Regis. I am a hotel nerd, so anything that involves a visit to a hotel has me hooked.
A few blocks over is Yebo Beach Haus, the perfect place to end the night with a small plates dinner. The menu and decor here changes seasonally!
A final morning would start off with coffee at Le Bon Nosh – this is a newer spot in Buckhead that feels like a New York novelty. The pastries are to die for. Have we had enough food yet? Maybe so!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Where do I even start?! There are so many people who have provided support along this journey. One of the most impactful experiences has been a year long group led by an amazing mentor, Callie. This group helped me with strategic growth professionally, but more importantly, encouraged me to grow in my work life balance. It is still very much a work in progress, but having my eyes opened to the importance of work life balance (and my lack thereof) has radically changed my life!
Website: https://majortraveler.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majortraveler/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-schroeder-1232bba2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majortraveler
Image Credits
Lovely House Media