Inspiring Conversations with Keisha Allen of Masterpiece Vacations

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Allen.

Hi Keisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was working as an Advance Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) with the Nashville Fire Department, when I decided I wanted my Paramedic licenses. I applied and was denied by the first school. I reapplied, got in and failed. I went into a deep depression; I was encouraged to go back to school.  I was not ready; I had made up my mind that being a Paramedic was not in the cards for me. I wanted freedom! I did not want to spend another year in school, clinicals, and ride-along.  I had raised 3 children and had just had my first grandbaby.

 I remember coming home one day excited, saying I wanted to be a Travel agent!  I started researching, joined a host agency, and learned all I could, and started A Dream Travel Agency.  Approximately 9 months later, I met my mentor, Tammy Levent, she convinced me that I could be a true independent travel agency owner.  I signed up for her training T.A.S.K. (Travel Agent Success Kit), booked my ticket to Jamaica, and became a sponge. January 2018, I rebranded and birthed Masterpiece Vacations!  I reapplied for the paramedic program, got into the program, and achieved the goal of becoming a Paramedic.

With that goal achieved, Masterpiece Vacations was now going to be my retirement career. Unfortunately, in 2020, I had a career-ending injury to my knee. I had 2 knee replacements (2021 & 2022), all while going through a divorce. With all the changes, I am grateful to say, I did not go through a depression, had no worries, and my new life began after meeting my husband, Leonard.  He gave me the confidence to go after every dream!

Masterpiece is now 5 years old and I have the freedom to be a serial entrepreneur by owning and operating other business which are Chain of Life (CPR training), Cocktails with Vino (all thing libations: mixology lessons, wine tastings, and server permit trainer), Allens Enterprise (Life and Health License Producer), Notary by Keisha, and soon to open a mobile lab.  I am truly living all my passions and enjoying life as a wife, mother, grandmother and mentor.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every business has its obstacles. You expect your family and friends to be your number one support, this was not the case. My family didn’t travel much, and friends were using other travel agents. Another obstacle for me was social media. I was not savvy in this department.

Travel was a high-risk industry so no loans were available. I was my seed money, COVID, and In the travel world, it is mostly the MLMs that are out here building a team. So when you are INDEPENDENT you have to fight harder, as you don’t have the billion-dollar brand behind you.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Masterpiece Vacations?
We are a full-service concierge travel agency. My specialty is building your dream trip from everything to a weekend getaway to Vegas to a romantic Caribbean trip.  My specialties are more once in a lifetime and personal bucket list items, like seeing the Fall Foliage in New England or a heritage trip to Ireland to see your family baptismal pool.

Family reunions that include meeting all the special needs in a multi-generational planning. I am most proud of the fact that I am available to you 24/7. If problems arise you have a point of contact and an advocate to resolve the problems so you can continue enjoying your vacation.Customer service is what we do!

We offer financing. Since I have experience traveling with limited mobility I offer an expertise to those clients that also have some of the same restrictions, and will soon be a certified Autism agency.

What were you like growing up?

Growing up:  I was a big tom-boy. I actually started my first business as 8 years old, cutting grass. I was a very exploratory child, my grandmother called it nosey. I needed to know where things were just in case. That inquiring attitude had me knowledgeable enough to change a tire and my oil before I was twelve.

I call myself an outgoing introvert. As an only child, I enjoy being alone, but was the life of the party when I would be in social settings. Because I was somewhat sociable, I started my second business at 12, selling cookies in school. and my 3rd business was selling plates at my uncle’s garage, at 14.

I loved school, was very academic, a cheerleader in junior and high school, voted most popular in high school, and graduated with honors in the top 25% of my class. Every year I had the same dream, to be a doctor, but found that boys were not so bad around junior high. Then, I was going to be a nurse and just marry a doctor. I love listening to R&B music and making slow jam tapes.

Pricing:

• CPR $85
• Server permit $85

Contact Info:

• Website: www.masterpiecevacations.com
• Instagram: @masterpiecevacations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masterpiecevacations
• Linkedin: Masterpiece Vacations
• TikTok: @masterpiecevacations