Wednesday Wonder Woman: Nailah Datcher

Nailah Datcher is the owner or Royalty Escapes Travel Agency. She started Royalty Escapes Travel Agency on April 16, 2015, in honor of her late mother who loved traveling and dedicated herself to helping everyone explore the world. Travel has been a passion of hers, and helping family and friends plan trips seemed to come natural to her. So she decided to invest in herself and her family, and that’s how Royalty Escapes was born. Nailah wanted to not only help people, but also create a legacy and a family owned business that her son and grand kids could have forever. Her business partner and soon to be husband, Daryl, also works as an agent and handles much of the behind the scene sales, as well as serves as the company’s main spokesperson/host at all of their events. Nailah’s son, Kweku Jr., is the accountant for the business and also assists with marketing ideas, as those were his fields of studies in undergrad and grad programs. Currently they have expanded to having three staff and will be hiring a few more agents this year but will remain a family oriented business; meaning whomever they hire will be just like family, which is important to this Wonder Woman. 

Royalty Escapes has a strong focus on customer service and follow through along with finding top notch getaways at the best prices and their clients appreciate them for that. They are very loyal. The business tells everyone that travel is affordable, if you plan for it. “If you want it, we can make it happen.” Royalty Escapes is not a multi-level marketing company nor are they a part of one. “We are just a travel agency that books awesome memorable vacations for folks,” says Nailah. Learn more about her and her brand below.

Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Nailah, Nailah?

Nailah: That’s a good question. I guess I would say that I like to embrace the fact that I’m a unique person. I create my own lane when it comes to life and how I handle it. I give whatever I’m vested in and have a passion for, my all. Even down to my name…“Nailah” means “successful”. So I’m destined for it. The reality is I just try to be a better person than I was the day before, and I have a love for helping people. I believe we’re blessed to be a blessing to others, so I try to live by that principle.

Fancy: Obviously you and your mother were close. What was she like?

Nailah: Amazing would be an understatement. She was the most selfless, kindest, honest and loving person I’ve ever encountered. She is the reason why I am the mother and woman that I am. She was my best friend. She supported and pushed me to be the best me I could be. Her famous saying was “reach your fullest potential. She’d say that to us each morning, and because of that, we all applied that principal to our day to day lives.

Fancy: So your late mother’s love of travel inspired you to start your company Royalty Escapes Travel Agency, but can you describe how the decision came about?

Nailah: I was actually looking to make some money on the side. Meanwhile friends and family were asking me to help them plan their vacations, so I figured, “why not get paid for it?” I wanted something different though. I wanted something legit, that I can build as my legacy, and have for my son and future grandkids for years and years down the line. I wanted to be the next major travel agency in the DMV and expand across the states. Something that I could build that no one could take from us.

Fancy: What did you do prior to starting your travel agency?

Nailah: I actually still work full time outside of my agency. Not because I have to, but because it’s easy for me to do (lol). I like money so if I can do both, that’s what I’m going to do. It’s a bigger picture with me. Secure everything now, so we can be secure later in life.

Fancy: You incorporated your son and fiancé into the business, making it a family business. How does that work?

Nailah: Perfectly. I believe that if we want to be successful then we need to have all hands on deck to invest in “US”. I believe that if my son went to college to get not only his Bachelor’s but Master’s in Finance and studied abroad learning international marketing, it would be utterly ridiculous to hire someone outside to oversee what would also be his future. Invest in your kids, so they can invest in not only themselves, but also their family business. My fiancé is my partner in everything and has the same values. He’s that voice when you don’t hear mine (lol). I met him when he was doing promotions at a club, so he naturally has been that person that promotes for the business. His personality allows him to be great at that. Everyone has their own contribution to “US” being successful.

Fancy: What do you think makes your agency unique or what do you think it takes to run a successful travel agency?

Nialah: What makes us unique is that we actually travel. You wouldn’t believe the amount of agents out there that don’t.

We are travel agents who travel, and we do it so that we can give our clients accurate travel options, based on what we have actually seen ourselves. We don’t Google places and blindly send people there based on pictures.  Also, people want different- different vacations, different experiences… Different is the thing over here, and clients know it. I think the keys to having a successful agency are honesty, listening to your clients’ needs, and accountability. It’s those three things that are so often forgotten but always desired and appreciated. We are honest and transparent. All of our “escapes” are customized to fit the clients’ needs, and we are there with you from start to finish. We don’t pass the buck if something goes wrong; we fix it, and our clients appreciate that about us. Customer satisfaction is priority, because we want all of our clients to have a great experience, not just a great trip. It’s a start to finish project with us.

Fancy: I also see you offer cosmetic surgery travel. What does that entail?

Nailah: We have a selected supplier to collaborate and offer top of the line cosmetic surgery options abroad. The prices are a fraction of what they usually charge in the states. We handle the travel accommodations, and they handle the surgical aspect of it. It’s a great partnership, especially with the climax today of so many people traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery. The doctors are top notch and the options available are vast. It’s something for everyone.

Fancy: Soon it will be fall and winter. Do you have any spots or locations that you would recommend for these seasons?

Nailah: We are big on islands over here. Aruba is one of my favorites with so much to do (plus it rarely gets hit with hurricanes…I think the last one was in 2007) All-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico are a big hitter with my clients as well, you get more bang for your buck and can retreat from the cold to someplace warm. These are our major travel destinations during fall and winter.

Fancy: Personally, where are some of your favorite places and why?

Nailah: Mexico, I must say, is my ultimate favorite. I’ve been about 11 times just within the past five years. It’s a place that is budget-friendly with every activity imaginable. Plus, I enjoy the food and party scene. As stated before, Aruba is another one of my favs, because it’s a party and drinking island with so much to do. Outside of the islands I would say Spain has to be my other fav! Barcelona and Tenerife has the most awesome nightlife and food imaginable!

Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Nailah: We do. Next year we have:

-Mother’s Day group cruise leaving out of Baltimore.

– The Link Up 2.0- Cuba Edition, which is our major group event coming up next July where we’ll be heading to Cuba on a cruise.

We will also be adopting families for the holidays as we have done every year since being in business. We are big on giving back and have done a give back activity on every group trip we have hosted as well. For the past two years, it was Jamaica.

Connect with Nailah below.

Website: www.RoyaltyEscapes.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RoyaltyEscapesTravelAgency/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/RoyaltyEscapesTravelAgency_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoyaltyEscapes