HOW NIK OF TIME CAME TO BE

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nikki McGregory. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.Nikki , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Nikki, that lived-in inner-city Atlanta, Georgia. Her middle school was offering two trips. Option 1 take the bus to Washington, DC and New York City. Option 2 fly to Acapulco, Mexico. Although, I didn’t know what it meant. I was already a lil bougie, so of course I wanted to go to Mexico, which of course was more expensive. But my mom made it happen for me and it changed my life! Niksperiencing different people, culture, language and food was amazing to me, and I wanted to see more of it. So, when I graduated from high school, I joined the Navy a week later to see the world. At that point, I didn’t even realize we were in a war! I just knew I was getting out of Atlanta, I was going to see the world on someone else’s dime (US Government) and retire at 38 years old. Check, check and check. Even before I was a Travel Agency Owner, I was a Travel Planner for my family and friends just wasn’t getting paid for it. The Navy set me up for success because I was a Quartermaster which dealt with planning briefs about various ports. Later in my Career I became a Navy Career Counselor which basically meant I counseled sailors on their career paths. Now I’m counseling them making memories for themselves with their family and friends.After I retired from the Navy in 2011, I was determined not to work for anyone ever again, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. My girlfriends and I were walking around a trail and I said, you know what? I’m going to start my Travel Agency. I reached out to a friend of mine that was a Travel Agent and she introduced me to her host. Met with her, made a great connection. Boom, Let’s Nik it. The first name I chose was Live in the Moment Travel, the agency owner said it was too long and would easily get lost in the Google-sphere. My word. Not hers. So, my girlfriends and I were walking around the trail again. I said I want to do a play on my name…so we kicked ideas around a bit and came up with Nik of Time Travel. And wow…something as simple as changing the name…changed the course of my business. Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.What sets me apart from others is that I am not in competition with anyone. Travel is a billion dollar industry and I couldn’t take it all even if I tried. Hell, I don’t even want it all. I have a core group of Travel Agent Gurlfriends that I collaborate with. We all are strong Agency Owners, and we all have our weak areas cause not one knows everything. That’s when we pull each other up to the next level. We are all trying to eat so why not eat at the same table.One thing about me…tah, I love ME and I love Nik of Time Travel. We are intertwined, That’s why the business name is so important. If you don’t remember Nik of Time, you might remember my name. If you don’t remember Nikki McGregory, you might remember Nik of Time. I am considered one of the best branding people in my area. You would be hard pressed not to see me with something with my name on it. Even the night gown I have on as I type this has my brand on it. I figured Gucci isn’t paying me and Louis Vuitton isn’t paying me. So why should their names be on my back more than my own? I’m my own biggest fan and I’m my OWN walking billboard. If I don’t promote Nik, who will?