Travel by Design ensures you have a good time

Brandon Ferguson and Landen Weidenbenner have turned their passion for travel into a full-service business, launching Travel by Design in January to help community members plan personalized vacations with a level of service they say sets them apart from online booking sites.

The couple’s foray into travel planning is an extension of their years of successfully planning trips for themselves, their family, and friends. While Landen considers himself adventurous and willing to step into new experiences, Brandon was at first “kind of a nervous traveler.”

But over the years, they’ve steadily accumulated a great deal of travel experience, and with that experience, a knack for creating memorable trips.

The couple’s travel experience spans 22 states and multiple countries. Their personal travel portfolio includes destinations like Italy, Germany, France, Norway, and various domestic locations, including frequent Disney trips–“We’re big Disney goers,” Landen said. “We love Disney.”

But it was the three-week European honeymoon in 2022 that helped solidify their interest in creating a business.

“We planned it all on our own,” Brandon said, admitting it was overwhelming.

However, they had a wonderful time touring Europe with an itinerary that perfectly matched the experience they had envisioned.

“The synergy was so good,” Landon said about the trip.

It prompted him to suggest they should more seriously consider starting their agency.

“That’s what kind of gave us the drive to do it for even more people,” Brandon said.

Balancing a business startup with full-time jobs proved difficult until a life change freed Brandon up to consider pursuing the business with Landen’s support. In January, after developing a list of trusted vendors and travel partners, they launched Travel by Design.

The business model emphasizes highly personalized service, with the couple meeting clients in person or over the phone, rather than relying on online forms or automated systems. Brandon can also accompany clients on trips as a tour guide for those who want extra support, particularly first-time international travelers or those visiting major cities.

Their approach includes a free 30-minute meetup to learn about and understand each client’s preferences. Rather than simply asking about destinations and budgets, they conduct “getting to know you” sessions.

“We sit down with every client, and the biggest thing is listening to them,” Landon said.

“It’s like an interview,” Brandon added.

They navigate a travel matrix that helps them design individualized trips tailored to their clients’ goals and objectives.

The couple emphasizes their commitment to visiting destinations personally when possible and thoroughly vetting their vendor relationships. They currently have over 200 trusted vendors they work with, providing them with exclusive access to special promotions and discounts not available to the general public. They focus on reputable hotels and established travel companies, avoiding platforms like Airbnb and VRBO due to concerns about quality control.

A recent example of their personalized service occurred when a family member called at 9:30 p.m. from Myrtle Beach after discovering mold in their Airbnb rental. “It was just a bad situation,” Landen recalled.

The Airbnb compensated the couple, but they were left with nowhere to stay. It was peak season, and nothing was available. They asked her what was important for her trip — ocean front, balcony, and a nice pool. With this information in hand, they told her to get dinner and they’d have something together soon.

Within 20 minutes, Landen and Brandon had researched and booked an oceanfront hotel room with a balcony and pool access.

“She FaceTimed us, and she’s like, ‘look at this room. And I know you can’t see the view, but it’s beautiful. Oh, my gosh, you guys saved the day,'” Landon said.

These are the moments they look forward to hearing about.

“I love to hear back from our customers and how excited they are about what they did,” Brandon said, referring to the experiences he helped them have.

They know planning trips can be stressful and overwhelming, but fortunately, Brandon and Landen love doing it. To the extent that they find it hard not to take the trips they plan. And that commitment continues throughout the relationship with their clients.

“We’re always here for our clients no matter what’s going on,” Landen added.

Travel by Design operates on a commission-based model, earning money from vendor partnerships rather than charging clients directly. They do charge $150 for custom itineraries, but clients receive that fee back if they book through the agency.

Beyond booking services, Travel by Design offers cultural preparation for international travelers, including basic language instruction and guidance on cultural etiquette.

The couple can be reached through their website, Travel by Design, social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram, or by phone at 812-604-3893 and email at travelbydesignllc@outlook.com for initial consultations.