How We Grew Our Golf Trip Planning Business To $3M/Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for Golf Trip Junkie. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published over 2 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hi everyone, and thanks for having me back! I am the founder and owner of Golf Trip Junkie, a company that provides custom golf vacations in top-rated golf destinations worldwide, including Scotland, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, and throughout the US – Scottsdale, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Pebble Beach, Williamsburg, Miami, and Hilton Head, just to name a few.
You might remember my story from a few years back on Starter Story, where I shared how I took the leap and turned my love for golf and travel into a thriving business. Since that interview, Golf Trip Junkie has grown tremendously.
This business venture wasn't just about work; it was about living the dream. The idea of starting a business that allows me to combine my passions with making a living hit me on a golf course. Everything started there and I used my skills and knowledge to turn it into reality by building Golf Trip Junkie and making it as successful as it is today, and I'm incredibly excited to share the next chapter of our journey with you.
Playing golf should be about fun and excitement, not necessarily about competitiveness. At Golf Trip Junkie, we offer customized golf vacation packages with that idea in mind. We value our customers and strive to make their golf experience as fun-packed as possible. Therefore, we consider everything they would like to include in their package - off-course activities, local tours, lodging - with a focus on every single detail.
Our packages are anything but one-size-fits-all. We take the time to understand your unique preferences, whether you're a group of friends seeking a fun-filled getaway, a romantic couple yearning for a luxurious escape, a family desiring an adventure that caters to everyone, or a corporate group looking for a memorable team-building experience.
Thankfully, over the past two years, I have been busier than ever. Golf tourism is thriving, and there’s a growing trend to travel to destinations with exceptional golf courses. I can see that people need to unwind and recharge more than ever, and Golf Trip Junkie offers the perfect solution.
By crafting personalized vacations that cater to each client's desires, we're exceeding expectations and exceeding our own goals. In fact, our business has grown beyond initial projections. But for me, the true measure of success lies in the countless golfers who return from their trips with smiles on their faces and stories to share – a testament to the power of creating unforgettable experiences that combine the joy of golf with the thrill of travel.
Five years down the line, I see Golf Trip Junkie as the one-stop shop for crafting the perfect golf trip, whether you're dreaming of a bespoke luxury escape or a budget-friendly buddies' weekend.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Since our last chat, Golf Trip Junkie has experienced a phenomenal growth spurt. The revenue for 2023 was $3 million, up from just under $2 million in 2021 (50% increase in revenue, also attributed to rising prices. Booked 460 trips in 2023 compared to 356 trips in 2021 (30% increase).
I keep working to enhance my online presence by improving my website, increasing my media page results, and writing helpful content on my blog to inspire golfers and pique their interest in Golf Trip Junkie’s services. It works very well, and today my company is known as a top trusted source for delivering high-quality personalized golf getaways for golfers from all over the world.
We've also ramped up our social media presence, actively engaging with our audience on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. By sharing stunning visuals of breathtaking courses, showcasing happy client testimonials, and offering exclusive travel tips, we've built a thriving online community of golf enthusiasts.
We prioritize forging strong relationships with industry partners, including travel agents, golf courses, and tourism boards. These collaborations allow us to offer our clients a wider range of travel options and exclusive benefits.
Keeping our existing customers happy and coming back for more is a core value for Golf Trip Junkie. We achieve this by exceeding expectations on every trip, providing exceptional customer service, and offering loyalty programs and special incentives for returning clients.
The road ahead is filled with exciting possibilities for Golf Trip Junkie. We're constantly innovating and refining our marketing strategies to reach a wider audience and curate even more exceptional golf getaways. Stay tuned for even more growth and success stories from Golf Trip Junkie!
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
Creating customized vacations is both challenging and rewarding. It is a creative process and I enjoy every single aspect of it, but it also requires knowledge and great organizational skills, including strategic planning, communication, and quick decision-making.
The biggest challenges stem from the very core of what makes Golf Trip Junkie special – the customization. Every client interaction presents a unique puzzle to solve. Getting to know each group of golfers, anticipating their desires beyond the fairway, and selecting the perfect destination, resort, and itinerary to match their lifestyle, budget, and preferences – these elements require a deep understanding of people, travel trends, and the ever-evolving golf landscape.
The journey doesn't end there. Unexpected situations can arise throughout the planning process, requiring on-the-fly adjustments and creative problem-solving. While these hurdles test our organizational skills and adaptability, they also contribute to the thrill of exceeding client expectations and delivering truly unforgettable experiences.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
These past months my focus was on improving my resilience to overcome challenges in my workplace. I consider it an essential skill that allows me to handle unexpected setbacks effectively in a less stressful way.
Looking back, I see that a little luck definitely played a role. The rise of remote work and pent-up travel demand created a perfect storm for golf trip interest. The biggest takeaway? Embrace the journey, learn from the stumbles, and always be on the lookout for the next incredible golf adventure to share with the world!
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
Five years down the line, I see Golf Trip Junkie as the one-stop shop for crafting the perfect golf trip, whether you're dreaming of a bespoke luxury escape or a budget-friendly buddies' weekend. We're building a network of international courses and resorts to open up a whole world of golfing experiences.
In the future, I would like to expand my business even more. I intend to make new
partnerships, create new golf vacation packages, and attract more clients. My goal is the same as always, to deliver exceptional golf vacations to as many golf enthusiasts as possible.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
The most inspiring stuff I read this year wasn't any single article, but a whole series on the future of golf travel, addressing this growing trend where golfers are all about personalizing their vacations. It's not just about the course anymore, it's about experiencing these amazing destinations too.
That struck a chord with what we do here at Golf Trip Junkie, crafting custom ad-ventures and all. It's got me even more fired up to keep finding those hidden gem courses and pairing them with unforgettable activities for our clients.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
I believe in leading and inspiring by example. Therefore, I advise aspiring entrepreneurs to make a living out of their greatest passion. If I didn’t have such a passion for golf, I would most likely be discouraged by the setbacks and challenges I faced on my entrepreneurial journey.
My greatest skill in making Golf Trip Junkie as it is today is my commitment to achieve my goals, regardless of the difficulties. Whenever I encounter a challenge, I keep
pushing forward, doing all in my power (while holding my optimism and sense of humor) to have a positive outlook on my project.
Where can we go to learn more
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
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