From Handwriting to the Acropolis: Lynn Reed’s Journey in Travel and Business

She arrived with bright blue eyes, an infectious laugh, and a perfectly coordinated dusty rose blouse that complemented her complexion. Despite not being a fan of coffee, Lynn Reed agreed to meet me at The Hub, a trendy café in downtown Mount Sterling.

I had requested the interview a week earlier because I was looking for inspiring stories and honest advice from successful entrepreneurs in Central Kentucky. My goal was to encourage a new generation of business owners to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.

Lynn, the owner of Travel Escapes in Owingsville, Kentucky, was my first interview in this series—and she did not disappoint.

What first caught my attention was a social media post in which she paid tribute to the Montgomery County travel agents who mentored her in the 1990s. I came prepared with a list of questions to guide our conversation, hoping to uncover the insights that had shaped her journey.

Having a mentor, as Lynn knows, is an invaluable asset in business. A mentor is more than just a boss or a manager—they pass on wisdom, thought processes, and problem-solving skills to their mentees, creating a lasting legacy. However, according to a 2018 Forbes article, only 22% of small business owners had a mentor, though 89% of those without one wished they did.

When I asked Lynn how she landed her first job, she laughed and said, “Want to know how I got it? They liked my handwriting! I went to the interview, and they needed someone to write because their typewriter was broken!”

It wasn’t long before Lynn’s handwriting skills took a back seat to her true passion. She learned the travel business from the ground up, with her mentors teaching her the importance of building relationships. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, people would simply drop by the travel agency just to chat—she called them regulars.

These regulars weren’t planning exotic trips to the Dominican Republic or fancy getaways to France that moment. Instead, she said with a nostalgic smile, “They were just stopping by to talk. Happier times.”

Rather than seeing these moments as interruptions, Lynn embraced them as opportunities to build lasting relationships. She learned not only how to talk to people, but how to really listen. When clients described their travel dreams, Lynn would listen beyond the surface to uncover their deeper desires.

One memorable story was of a client traveling abroad for their son’s wedding. Having listened to this client’s travel aspirations for years, Lynn knew exactly what would make the trip special. She found a room with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis in Athens—not because it was near the best district or excursions, but because that view would bring joy to her client every single day.

Lynn’s ability to listen and her desire to delight her clients is what sets her apart.

She’s also never stopped learning. From her start with a broken typewriter to navigating the rise of the internet and DIY travel planning, Lynn has seen it all. When social media began to take off around the time of the 2008 recession, Lynn decided to strike out on her own as a small business owner. Rather than spreading herself thin across all platforms, she focused on mastering Facebook, where she knew her clients were active.

With 4.9 billion people using social media globally, and projections suggesting another billion by 2027, small business owners would be wise to follow Lynn’s example: pick one platform and master it.

Lynn shared some simple yet effective advice for other small business owners when it comes to social media: “If it’s not funny or helpful, don’t post it.” This strategy has served her well for nearly 17 years.

I’ll be honest—I had stopped writing in my notebook an hour before we parted ways. I didn’t need to collect data anymore because Lynn was doing what her mentors had taught her: communicating and listening. By the time I was in my car driving away, I felt like I’d known Lynn my entire life. It felt less like an interview and more like catching up with an old friend.

While I began this interview focused on mentorship alone, I left with invaluable lessons that I believe all current and aspiring entrepreneurs should take to heart:

1.     Don’t underestimate the power of mentorship. A great mentor is an essential resource in your business journey.

2.     Put your clients’ needs first. It’s not about selling what you offer; it’s about finding the perfect match between your product or service and what your client truly needs. The goal is not just to make a sale but to ensure satisfaction.

3.     Embrace change. Technology is only a barrier if you let it be. Adaptability and flexibility are key to success. Don’t be afraid of not knowing everything—you can always learn what you don’t know.