Boss Up Spotlight: The Journey Behind Book It With Bennett
4 min read
Every entrepreneur has a beginning, but some beginnings are forged under pressure. This week’s Boss Up Spotlight features Sonia Reno, founder of Book It With Bennett, whose path to entrepreneurship was shaped by courage, responsibility, and an unwavering belief that it is never too late to build the life you want.
What follows is a candid conversation about grit, growth, and stepping into your purpose even when the odds are not ideal.
What inspired you to start your travel business, and when did you know you were ready to make it real?
I have always wanted to travel, but life kept placing bigger responsibilities in front of me. I am a permanent resident here in the US, originally from England, and as a young mom with limited funds, updating my paperwork or getting a passport was simply not a priority. It was expensive, time consuming, and honestly, I kept working and raising my children without needing it.
Fast forward, I finally paid the renewal fee, but still have yet to travel to Houston for that passport.
Then life shifted again. My husband became very ill and almost died more than once. I became his full time caregiver, and when he had to medically retire to protect our home, I went back to work even though he was still unwell. We make it work, but his illness and the financial stress have been a lot.
In the middle of all that, I came across Kristin, who was in the travel industry. She asked if I was interested, and something in me lit up. I knew I wanted to do it. I just had to wait for the right moment and a little extra funding.
I eventually started my travel business with a host agency, which made the startup costs manageable and gave me incredible support. I have unlimited training, a community of agents who lift each other up, and a clear goal to retire from my day job in five years.
I have always loved helping people, and the idea of helping them plan vacations felt like a beautiful way to bring joy to others while also feeding my own desire to travel. That was when I knew it was real. That was when it felt like the right path for Book It With Bennett.
What unique value do you offer that travelers cannot get from booking online themselves?
I do not charge my clients for my services, and I take all the stress off their shoulders. Because I am a travel advisor, I have access to unique deals, bundled packages, and all the inside resources that travelers cannot always find on their own.
I build real relationships with my clients so I can understand what they want on a deeper level. I ask, I listen, and then I offer options at different pricing levels so they get something tailored to them.
I work with all major brands and have an amazing team behind me, so while it is my own business, I also have a network of experienced advisors I can learn from.
With me, you do not just book a vacation. You book a guide, a supporter, and someone who is right beside you from the moment you start dreaming about a trip until the moment you arrive back home.
What challenges have you faced so far, and how have you adjusted your strategy along the way?
Right now, my biggest challenges are time and marketing. I would love to focus on this business full time, but for now, I work on it during nights and weekends. I study, I work on certifications, I connect with people, and I keep building.
When you start a business, you are the one doing everything. I see you doing the same, and I know you understand that hustle. The only way to grow something like this is to show up and keep doing the work even when you are tired or busy.
I could not do any of this without my support system. My family and friends know my goals, and they believe in me. Their support gives me the space to keep going and keep growing.
How do you support clients when travel plans go wrong, like delays or cancellations?
I am always just a phone call away.
In the world we live in, setbacks happen. Flights get delayed, hotels overbook, weather changes plans, and car rentals go sideways. When something goes wrong, I stay calm so my clients can breathe. I work behind the scenes to resolve the issue and find the best solutions no matter where they are in the world.
I stay with them through the entire process. From the moment they start thinking about a holiday all the way until they are home again, I am there. They never have to face a problem alone.
What do you want the name Book It With Bennett to stand for as your brand grows?
I want it to stand for trust, care, and relationships. I want my clients to feel that I am here for them and that I will grow with them through every vacation they take over the years. My goal is always to create a trip that exceeds their first dream, something more meaningful than they even imagined.
But I also know life happens, and it can happen anywhere. When things go wrong, I want to be their calm voice, their guide, and the person who holds their hand while I handle the problem and make things right.
That is what I want Book It With Bennett to represent. Warmth, loyalty, genuine support, and unforgettable experiences.
http://bookitwithbennett.inteletravel.com/
www.tiktok.com/@bookitwithbennett
