Meet Jocelyn Knowles | Travel Agent & Content Creator

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

Hi Jocelyn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Since I was a teenager, I’ve always wanted to start my own business but didn’t know the route I wanted to go, plus I didn’t think I had enough money to start one. Then in December 2023, I was laid off from my job unexpectedly and I figured it was time to start my own business. Around this time, the travel agent I used for my birthday trip was advertising that she was helping people start their own travel business. I’ve always been the person to find the hotels, excursions and create full itineraries for vacations for me and my friends, plus, it was a low start-up cost, so I figured this was the best business to get into.

What should our readers know about your business?
My travel business, JKRenee Travels, was born out of a passion for exploration and a deep love for discovering new cultures. What sets me apart from others in the industry is my commitment to creating unique, immersive travel experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trails. What makes this industry even better for me is that I can help others join the travel business so they have freedom to explore the world on their own, as well as gain financial freedom.

Building this business hasn’t been easy. I’m still fairly new to the business so there’s so much to learn. Like any entrepreneurial journey, I”ve faced numerous challenges along the way. One of the biggest hurdles is gaining trust and credibility in a competitive market. I’ve been able to overcome this by consistently putting myself out there through social media and networking, delivering exceptional experiences and prioritizing customer satisfaction. Through these challenges, I’ve learned the importance of resilience and adaptability. The travel industry is constantly evolving, and being able to pivot and innovate keeps me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What I want the world to know about JKRenee Travels is that I was able to turn a passion of mine into a business. I was the friend who would check hotel and Airbnb rates for fun. I would travel so much to the point that whenever I talk to family members, I always get the question, “Where are you going to next?” I never thought that something I did on the regular could be a source of income to me and I’m thankful that I can help others with creating unforgettable journeys that leave a lasting impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a true tourist, so during the day, my best friend and I will take one day out and check out the museums. The Museum of Natural Science is my personal favorite and a hidden gem I don’t think even a lot of locals know about is the Houston Museum of African American Culture (the museum is free but donations are highly recommended).

Another day, we need to explore all of downtown; Discovery Green, the underground mall, and definitely have to check out the art murals. For lunch, we can go to one of my favorite food spots, Frank’s Pizza and then we can check out an Astros Game (fun fact: my first job was working as an usher at Minute Maid Park)

I absolutely LOVE music so we have to go somewhere that involves music. If my best friend happens to come down on the 1st Friday of the month, we can check out the showcase that Fresh Oranges holds at Eighteen Ojeman. Backtracking to Thursday, we can check out Prauper where they play 90s and 00s music all night and people actually dance! And then we can end out the weekend by going to a Wine & Sage event on Sunday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a special shoutout to Allexus Pantallion, who is the person who helped me start my travel agency business. She started as my high school classmate and now has turned into a mentor who has been with me every step of this journey. Thank you so much, Allexus!

Instagram: @jkreneetravels

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-knowles-2b939860/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557657570347