Expansion. Always. In all ways.

Somewhere between building out my 2026 and 2027 group travel calendar, it hit me…

I’m going to need to be in two places at once. Often.

And that’s not possible.

Group trips are a big and growing part of what we do, but they’re only one piece of the business. At our core, we are a full-service travel agency—helping individuals, couples, families, and friends plan everything from weekend getaways to once-in-a-lifetime vacations and honeymoons. That means when I’m traveling with a group, I’m not just “on a trip”… I’m also away from the day-to-day work of serving clients back home. And as the business continues to grow on both sides, that reality becomes harder to ignore.

One of my business mentors used to say he believed in “expansion in all ways, always.” At the time, it sounded like ambition. Now I realize—it’s also a requirement when something you’ve built starts to grow.

Because growth creates opportunity…but it also creates new responsibility.

Over the last few years, JMart Travels has grown from a one-man operation into something much bigger than I ever expected. Our group trips are filling. New ones are launching. More and more families are booking their vacations with JMart Travels and more and more people are booking appointments to meet with us in the travel office to plan and prepare. And for the first time, I’m looking at a calendar where multiple trips could be happening at the same time.

That’s exciting. But it also means I can’t be everywhere and do it all.

Even on the trips I am on, I’m seeing something else happen—our groups are getting bigger. And that’s a great thing. But there comes a point where one person simply can’t be everywhere at once, even within the same trip. I never want anyone to feel like they’re on their own or waiting for help because I’m tied up somewhere else. As these group tours continue to grow, there will be times when I need additional “boots on the ground” alongside me—someone who can help care for the group in real time and make sure the experience stays at the level people expect from JMart Travels.

Either way —I shouldn’t be the only one responsible for making sure every traveler has an incredible experience.

So this is me thinking out loud… and putting something into the world a little earlier than I normally would.

At some point—maybe in the next year, maybe sooner if the right person appears—I’m going to begin bringing on JMart Travel Hosts (Tour Directors) to help lead our group trips.

But before anyone gets too excited, let me say this clearly:

This is not a free vacation.

Yes—you’ll travel completely free.Yes—you’ll create incredible memories.Yes—there will likely be a stipend involved.

But this role is about something much bigger than that.

It’s about taking responsibility for people.

When someone books a trip with JMart Travels, they’re trusting us with their time, their money, and their memories. That doesn’t stop once the plane takes off. In many ways, that’s when it matters most.

Here’s what that has looked like for me on past trips:

• Sitting with a traveler in the infirmary when they got sick… and praying with them

• Coordinating with ship security and leadership and the local hospital to delay leaving a port so an injured traveler isn’t left behind (yes this happened. Yes they made it. Yes they are ok)

• Renting a van on the fly and leading a small group on a private adventure like the Road to Hana

• Making myself available daily—at breakfast, over coffee, or during a cocktail hour—just to check in and be present

• Taking late-night calls when flights are delayed or canceled and helping travelers calmly figure out their next move

• Stepping in immediately when something goes wrong—like a hotel not having a confirmed reservation—and fixing it in real time

  
  

That’s the role.

It’s not about being the life of the party.It’s about being the calm in the chaos.

It’s about reading the room, solving problems, and making sure every person on that trip feels taken care of.

The right person for this isn’t just someone who loves travel.

It’s someone who:

• Loves people

• Stays steady under pressure

• Thinks clearly when things don’t go as planned

• Communicates well and takes initiative

• Is present, responsible, and trustworthy

  
  

This could be a great fit for a teacher, a retiree, or someone with a flexible schedule who wants meaningful, purpose-driven work that happens to involve travel.

There’s a certain kind of person this will resonate with. Someone who doesn’t panic when plans change. Someone who notices when a traveler seems off and checks in without being asked. Someone who can step into a moment—whether it’s stressful, joyful, or unexpected—and simply handle it. Not perfectly, but confidently. If you’ve ever been the person others naturally look to when things need to come together, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

And just to be clear—JMart Travels would cover the host’s travel for the trip itself. If they choose to bring a guest, that would be at their own expense.

This isn’t something I’m rushing into. The experience we provide matters too much to get this wrong.

But I also know that if JMart Travels is going to continue to grow—and if I’m going to serve more people well—I can’t do it alone forever.

So this is me planting a seed.

If this made you think of someone specific—or even made you pause and wonder if it might be you—I’d love to have a conversation. No formal application process. No pressure. Just a conversation.

Because the right person for this role isn’t just filling a spot…

They’re helping carry the experience forward.

~JMart