NEXT STOP: DESTINY

About This Idea

Next Stop: Destiny is a global access travel agency that simplifies international travel for first-time and culturally curious travelers through passport assistance, budgeting guidance, and immersive travel planning.

Almost half of Americans have a passport, and after navigating the process myself, I understand why. It can feel confusing, overwhelming, and repetitive. The problem I am solving is eliminating the barriers that prevent people from traveling internationally or even within their own country.

I guide travelers through relatability and my own personal expertise to plan their trip of a lifetime. Every experience is customized, providing passport application assistance with aid, personalized flight/ accommodation booking, curated itineraries, eco-friendly excursion recommendations, and language support for Spanish-speaking destinations. If a traveler is visiting a destination I have personally experienced, or exploring a new country for their first time, I provide a complimentary dinner on the first night after arrival to create a memorable start to their journey.

Through my own travel experiences, having visited over ten countries, I’ve become familiar with booking systems, airport logistics, and international travel processes. Whenever someone compliments me on my travel-savviness , the first thing I say (after saying thank you) is, “You can do it too.” Too often, I've heard a bunch of shared false narratives and misunderstandings about airports, passports, and international travel. Hearing these narratives in addition to real life barriers stops most people before they even begin. I want to clear that confusion, provide real guidance, and help travelers confidently plan meaningful experiences even better than the ones I've had.

This is about effortlessly traveling, replacing hesitation with confidence, and helping people take the first step toward their Next Stop, Destiny.

Where Did This Idea Spark at WMU?

This idea sparked during a conversation at the study abroad fair in Dunbar on WMU’s campus. I was speaking with a woman named Alison about my post-graduate plans, I was honestly nervous and unsure. I don't know what life holds for me. Is going abroad the next step? Do I even want my master’s degree? Was I ready to live out of the country for that long? She reassured me that it was okay not to have everything figured out and reminded me that time was on my side. She shared her own undergraduate experiences and connected me to a colleague who had completed a teaching program abroad and loved it. She even added, laughing, that he met his wife overseas! Apparently the love life is a plus.

I realized in that moment, I genuinely love traveling, connecting with people, and hearing their stories, & I admire the way global experiences change lives. I began asking myself how I could turn my love for travel into something more meaningful, that could help others step into new experiences.

Impact in Kalamazoo

If this works in Kalamazoo, anyone who desires new experiences wins. College students who have never left the country gain access to familiar guidance and confidence. First-generation students who feel unsure about passports or international policies gain clarity. Community members who have always wanted to travel but felt intimidated by the process gain support. Local families planning their first international trip gain a trusted, relatable resource. When we have more people in the Zoo exploring the world, they bring back new perspectives, cultural awareness, and expanded opportunity.

Kalamazoo becomes more globally connected because its people are.

How Investment Helps

This investment would allow Next Stop: Destiny to formally take root in Kalamazoo by securing the proper licensing, travel software, and booking partnerships needed to provide high-quality accommodations and competitive pricing for clients. With funding, I would invest in professional travel planning tools, liability coverage, marketing materials, and free community workshops focused on passport education and international travel readiness. The first local milestone I aim to reach is helping at least 10 new students or community members successfully apply for and obtain their passports.

What I'll Do With the Money

30% - Access to High-Quality Travel Resources & Travel Insurance Platforms.
- To secure access to tools needed for professional booking systems, trusted accommodation networks, and integrated insurance that ensures safe, reliable, and competitive travel experiences.
25% – Public Passport Workshops & Community Passport Aid
- To host passport readiness workshops in Kalamazoo, provide application guidance materials, and assist new students and community members in successfully obtaining passports.
15%: Marketing & Advertisement- promote services across WMU and the greater Kalamazoo community through digital campaigns, campus outreach, and local partnerships.
15%: Founder Operations & Payroll -Consistent leadership, project management, partnership development, and sustainable growth
10% – Technology & Digital Infrastructure
a professional website, secure client systems, and essential business tools.
5% – Legal & Business Registration

About the Founder

I'm Destiny, a Kalamazoo native and WMU student double majoring in Spanish & Sociology. I have studied abroad twice and traveled to over ten countries, my favorites being Greece and Puerto Rico. I’m bilingual and work with youth locally, encouraging them to dream bigger. Travel changed my confidence and perspective. I don’t see many Black women travel agents, but I see many people who want to explore and don’t know how. Why now? As Kalamazoo grows, our community deserves to expand globally too.

Links

• LinkedIn Profile