Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
10 years ago, Erica Graham quit her corporate job because she was looking for something that ignited a fire in her. Fast forward 10 years, Graham and her husband, Shanticlear Graham, are working in the travel space with Paper Planes and Passports.
Owned and operated by the Grahams, Paper Planes and Passports is an IATAN-accredited full-service travel agency offering a selection of unique global experiences.
The Grahams also own other businesses, such as the in-home care service Seniors Helping Seniors.
Built on three core values: Explore (your destination), Immerse (in the culture), and Embrace (new experiences), in 2016, the duo embarked on the mission to make international travel more accessible through education, effective budgeting, partnerships, and increasing awareness of the benefits of travel.
Having personally traveled across five continents, 60+ countries, and 47 of the United States and its territories, the Grahams say travel starts long before you board a plane.
Graham says she started the business with her husband, wanting to provide travel services, and they offer payment plans for hosting group trips. When she opened the business for the Paper Planes and Passports Academy during COVID, Erica said it drove her crazy, but Shanticlear guided her through it by encouraging her to share the information, tips, and all things travel that were locked in her brain with other people interested in travel.
“He told me, ‘Focus on what you can focus on. Provide all the information in your brain to other people. You built this business, and it’s time you share that information and teach people how to be successful in this,” she said.
Paper Planes and Passports have partnerships in 22 countries that provide tours and transportation services, according to Graham.
“We want to make sure our clients are safe, not only for our clients, but for our hosted group trips as well. Utilizing a travel professional allows you to navigate those things seamlessly and not spend all your time, energy, and extra money doing it,” she said.
The most rewarding part of the job is time, flexibility, and the ability to travel. Sharing travel with their clients and great experiences, she says, is truly the most rewarding of it all.
Also, the hardest part about being a travel agent, she says, is consistency in income.
“As a travel professional, you don’t get paid until after the traveler travels,” she said. “Sometimes 30 to 90 days after the client travels. If you have a client book a trip a year in advance, you’re expecting that commission a year later when they travel, but something may happen along the way, and they aren’t traveling anymore. You don’t get that commission.”
She thankfully has learned ways to cushion it and ensure the business is earning regularly.
Being in the travel industry, Graham says it’s a business where you must be dedicated, consistent, and be able to teach others.
In the next 10 years, Graham wants Paper Planes & Passports to have properties in various places.
“I want a hotel where I can retire on the beach and serve coconuts. I’m also not sure if I want to continue hosting group trips 10 years later, but I do see a life off the laptop, which is my goal to be more off just managing and step into overseeing,” she said. “If you are always in the weeds, you cannot see below the grass. I want to share this experience with 1000s more and conquer all the continents.”
Furthermore, Graham says she wants people to know it’s not just about booking trips; it is about getting the full seamless, cultured experience that you could get by booking with Paper Planes and Passports.
“We are reliable, trustworthy, and you can view our client reviews on our website. I want people to read about what other people have said about our business and our dedication to allowing people to travel smoothly, organically, and stress-free,” she said. “We want to help people embrace and explore each destination and new experiences and cultures.”
Also, Graham says for travelers to be “culturally knowledgeable.”
“Don’t just show up in every country just as you are. You need to plan, don’t go to Morocco and wear these little shorts and tank tops out there in the Medina. You need to dress accordingly,” she said. “Do your research.”