We’ve gained a considerable number of new subscribers over the last 4-6 months, so I thought it would be a good time to share the journey that led to the creation of Great Lakes Travel Deals. As many of you know, this business was founded to focus specifically on the Michigan market, which is where I’m from and where I wanted to build both a community and a business.
We specialize in publishing flight deals for travelers flying from airports between Chicago and Toronto, with a special focus on the major Michigan airports. Great Lakes Travel Deals is my own creation, and currently, I am the sole employee. However, my wife, who has a finance background, will be off work from school this summer and is excited to take over some of the data aggregation and analysis tasks. I'm looking forward to the additional support and a little more free time 😊.
My Journey in Travel
Travel has always been a significant part of my life, both personally and professionally. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management and an MBA from Grand Valley State University. My high school and college years were spent working in restaurants and hotels. Some of the notable places I worked at include Woody’s Settling Inn in Northport, The Sierra Room, and the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids; Charlie Palmers Aureole in New York; and the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen, Scotland.
My passion for travel experiences developed at a young age. I have fond memories of road trips around the country in the back of our family's station wagon, but my best travel memories were on a small swing keel sailboat that we would take up to the North Channel in Canada. Several summer trips were spent navigating these waters, fishing, swimming, and anchoring near uninhabited islands. These islands were ripe for adventure—climbing, trail breaking, and exploring. These early experiences instilled in me a deep love for travel and exploration that continues to drive me today.
My love for travel was further reinforced during my time with the US Peace Corps in Ghana, my first job out of college. Living in a remote village without electricity or running water, I advised an eco-tourism bird watching project on a remote watershed. I experienced firsthand how travel creates connections and makes the world a smaller and more empathetic place.
After returning from the Peace Corps, I worked for a company in Traverse City that managed lost luggage programs for major airlines across the United States. I loved this job because it gave me access to some pretty incredible places. I got to tour the intricate world beneath the tarmac at Chicago O’Hare, where luggage is transported on an extensive system of conveyors and sorting machinery. I also had the unique opportunity to discover where all the unclaimed luggage goes for Delta, and I heard fascinating stories about the contents of these unclaimed parcels, which sometimes included drugs, smuggled materials, and even gold bars!
Building Great Lakes Travel Deals
Starting this business was an extension of my interest in travel and leveraged my degrees and experiences. I’ve never aspired to be the biggest travel company, but I’ve always believed I could be the best at offering discounted flight deals for passengers in Michigan. I guarantee no national company is more committed to building community and providing discounted travel in Michigan than I am.
Since I started this business almost two years ago, I have posted several hundred flight deals and attracted close to 7,000 subscribers and over 14,000 followers on Facebook. I’m particularly proud that we’ve given away over 330 complimentary lifetime subscriptions to nurses, first responders, police officers, military members, and teachers. It feels great to recognize hardworking people in our community who are dedicated to making our state a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Balancing Work and Family
When I'm not working or publishing travel deals, you can often find me coaching youth sports. I’ve been coaching basketball, football, and youth lacrosse for many years. My wife and I have three wonderful children—twin boys aged 11 and a daughter who just turned 9!
***Photo taken at Beehive Geyser in Yellowstone NP minutes after getting soaked***
How You Can Support Great Lakes Travel Deals
Your support means a lot to me! Every paid subscription validates this business idea and supports me and my family. For just $30/year, you can upgrade to a paid subscription and gain access to everything I publish. Sharing our deals with friends and engaging with our emails and social media is another way to show support.
Most importantly, I love hearing about your trips—please send a note or picture when you travel (support@greatlakestraveldeals.com). It brings me immense joy knowing that a flight deal led to a memorable trip. Let's build this community together by sharing stories and engaging on the website or social media. Thank you for your support!
Thanks for sharing your story. Very cool, and great stack, worth every penny!
What was the name of the company where you worked in Traverse City?