Meet Chad Timmer | Travel Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chad Timmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chad, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always enjoyed traveling and going to places I haven’t been to before. Planning where to go on vacations and how to get the best deals for what I was trying to see and experience was something I found enjoyable. This is what led me to want to start my own travel agency. The fact that I get to help people create the perfect vacation to make amazing memories is also a reason I wanted to start my own travel business. I was looking to do something different for work, and starting my own business has allowed me to have more flexibility in when and where I work.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my travel agency, Timmer Travels, only a couple months ago. I don’t have a ton of experience in this industry yet, but I am learning more everyday. To keep up on the industry, I am doing different trainings all the time. I recently completed a training with Carnival Cruise Lines and another about traveling in Alaska. I have traveled many places across the United States that I would recommend to others. One lesson I have learned over the past year is to do something you enjoy for work. If you aren’t happy with your job, and your goal is to do something else, do everything you can to get to your dream job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am from West Michigan, and I am a very outdoorsy person and avid hiker. One of the places I would want to bring a friend who hasn’t been here before is to a beach or two along Lake Michigan. Nearby I would like to go to Holland State Park or Saugatuck Dunes State Park. A trip up to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore would be a fun activity as well. Mackinac Island is only a few hours north of me as well, and one of my favorite places in Michigan to visit. I make a trip here pretty much every year, and is a must see place for someone that isn’t from around here. As for places to eat/drink, I would bring them to some of the smaller bars/ restaurants in my area, as these are better than bigger restaurants in my opinion. Some of these include: Bunker Hill Sports Bar, Countryside Inn, Russo’s Pizzeria, Bar and Grille, and The Trestle Stop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely wouldn’t have taken the leap to start my own business without my parents. They have always supported me in what ever I wanted to do for a professional career.

Website: https://www.timmertravels.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmertravels/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/timmer-travels/?viewAsMember=true

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimmerTravels

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/timmer-travels-allegan