Meet Libby Cecchi

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Libby Cecchi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Libby below.

Hi Libby , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I spent years working in a profession that I was good at, that I liked, and that I was successful in. Partly, my work ethic comes from a sense of pride in what I do, showing up for others, and being a good team member. A few years ago, however, my life shifted and I was able to start my own company in the realm in which I am most passionate: travel. Of course the best part of this business is the travel itself, but I even love the research, the trip design, and the planning. Sometimes it’s difficult to tear myself away from the computer – I find myself getting “lunch” well past 3 PM – because I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing. It’s a tired trope, but if you can really find something you love to do, it’ll never feel like actual work.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a travel host and guide for journeys in France beyond Paris with my company, Gallivant & Traipse. I took all the things that I dislike about group travel and turned them on their head! Our favorite journeys include diverse activities with plenty of opportunities for relaxation and are focused on soaking up the vibe—pardon, la joie de vivre—of Europe. Gallivant & Traipse’s authentic tours are fun, relaxed, irreverent, and a good mix of spontaneous and planned activities. This is how we do it:

First off, we take people beyond Paris because there is stunning beauty to be found yet it’s a little harder for the average traveler to do. When taking the road less traveled, it’s important to be more proficient in French, know the rails and trails of France, and have some cultural knowledge and awareness – and Gallivant & Traipse can do all this. Second, we limit the group size to an exclusive 4-6 travelers for flexibility and spontaneity, and to have less impact on the little towns we’re exploring. A bonus to this rule is that we’re not beholden to large, smelly coach buses with their rigid schedules and fixed routes. Third, our small tours allow for new bonds to be made, both within the group and with locals. Hopping off a bus with a hundred travel companions causes quite a stir in a small French town; with a smaller group, we can slip amongst them and have a chance at friendship.

I find small group travel more pleasant than solo travel, where you’re constantly making decisions, navigating yourself, and often alone. That being said, alone time is crucial, which is why Gallivant & Traipse travelers have their own rooms (and never a single supplemental cost).

We always have tours available and the next ones are in spring of 2025. We will be taking two groups to France: one to picturesque Normandy and the other to dazzling Nice. Both coasts have incredible natural beauty, friendly people, and a laid-back vibe. I can’t wait for the trips to start!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One of the internal qualities that has been very helpful to me is my intrinsic optimism. In starting a new business, one can be full of doubts and there may be people who caution you against some of your choices. In running my company, I need to show optimism that the endeavor is successful – or will be – in order to gain the trust of future clients. In traveling, I need to believe things will be smooth sailing (but also have plans B and C ready to go if things go haywire)!

Developing a keen sense of customer service is an absolute must, and I can’t think of a career where this is not of utmost importance. In my opinion, the best way to hone this skill is to just get into it and practice, ensuring that you’re surrounded by others of a similar mind who model best methods. I always try to see the situation from the customer’s viewpoint which helps me find empathy and solutions to problems.

Finally, and most obviously, have strong subject matter expertise. Figure out how you best learn something and then spend the time it takes. Take classes, find mentors, get into internships, apply for scholarships, do the legwork. Watch YouTube videos!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

What’s challenging me right now is determining the next best step for Gallivant & Traipse. Many people are interested in traveling beyond Paris, but they often only think of the most common excursions—the ones they’ve already heard of through family and friends. Provence and Nice, for example. And those places are indeed absolutely amazing! But the whole point of Gallivant & Traipse is to step into the unknown and undiscovered France. Brittany! Languedoc! Loire! Gallivanting means to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure, and traipsing means walking or traveling about without an apparent plan. Selling travel is tricky, and selling travel with lesser-known destinations is even harder.

I’ve got some ideas, though, and they are slowly coming to fruition. I figure if they don’t know about these places, then perhaps it’s on me to educate them. Happily, I’ve spent many years teaching and instructing, so I have come up with two ways to get the word out about these other fantastic areas:

1. I’m working with community education departments to create classes. This may or may not lead to more sign-ups, but it will help me hone my sales pitch by discovering what areas are most interesting to others.
2. I’ve created and run webinars with current clients. I’m hoping that through interactive discussions and word of mouth, I will win over some future travelers!

Contact Info:

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all photos are property of Gallivant & Traipse, LLC

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