Q: Tell me about yourself, your family, and where you grew up.
I grew up in the same area where I live now, which feels pretty special. My family came here from Kiev, Ukraine, so I’m first generation, and I’ve always carried a lot of pride in where we came from and the opportunities that came with being here. I spent most of my life between Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County, and somehow life brought me full circle right back home again.
My family is small but everything to me. It’s me, my husband, our nine-year-old daughter, and our dog Louie. I lost my dad when my daughter was born, which was a very emotional season of life. I’m close with my mom, my older brother, and his family. We may not be a huge family, but we’re close, and that means a lot.
Q: Tell me about your past and present career.
I’ve always been drawn to people. I love conversation, connection, and helping others, so I naturally found myself in customer-focused roles early on. I went to Penn State and studied business, marketing, and management, though at the time I wasn’t completely sure what path I wanted to take. After college, I worked in marketing before moving into banking, where I built a career.
Travel, though, has always been the thing that lit me up. Planning trips, creating itineraries, finding the best experiences, and helping people make memories always gave me energy. After my husband went through a serious health battle, our family took a much-needed trip together, and it changed something in me. It reminded me how short life is and how important it is to do what truly excites you. That was the moment I decided to pursue travel professionally. It has been a few years now and I love helping people with their travel. It was a big leap to start something new in my forties, but one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Q: What is your favorite part of what you do?
My favorite part of what I do is helping people create meaningful time together. Of course, I love finding a great deal and getting clients the best value possible, but what means the most is hearing that a family had their best vacation in years, that they slowed down, laughed together, and made memories.
Life moves so fast, and everyone is constantly juggling work, school, sports, schedules, and responsibilities. Vacations give people a chance to reconnect, breathe, and enjoy each other again. Knowing I helped create that experience is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What is one of your favorite restaurants in the area?
Right now, one of my go-to favorites is 59 Almshouse. Everything there is consistently good, and you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. They have this amazing bowl with rice, fish, ginger, and all the fresh toppings. It’s one of those dishes I keep going back for.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies and TV shows?
As for movies and TV, I honestly don’t watch a ton because life stays busy. Murder mysteries are always a favorite, and I can definitely get pulled into shows like 90 Day Fiancé.
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
Music-wise, I’m all over the place. I love freestyle music, but I really listen to everything. I can appreciate the old-school classics just as much as anything newer. Most of the time in the car, I have SiriusXM Chill on. It’s the perfect vibe to unwind to after a long day. Unless my daughter is with me… then it’s Kids Bop, whether I like it or not.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why
My favorite holiday is my daughter’s birthday. That’s the best day of the year for me. She’s one of those kids who gets excited about everything. She can turn even an ordinary Tuesday into something fun and special. She reminds me to be excited about life again, to find joy in the little things, and to celebrate more often. She is so full of happiness and energy, and being able to celebrate her birthday each year feels better than any traditional holiday.
Q: Where is your favorite place that you have ever traveled and where do you want to go next?
My favorite places I’ve ever traveled to are probably Utah and Arizona. Those trips completely surprised me. The landscapes there are so breathtaking that it almost doesn’t feel real. You look around and wonder how the earth could create something so beautiful. Standing at places like Horseshoe Bend was one of those moments where I wished I had put my phone down even more and just taken it all in. Travel has taught me that sometimes the most unforgettable experiences happen when you slow down and truly appreciate where you are.
As for where I’m going next, I’m heading to Belize first, which I’m excited to experience with another travel agent. After that, I’m taking one of my yearly girls trips to Greece, and I cannot wait for that. We’re visiting Paros and Milos—two islands that each have their own kind of beauty. Greece has been high on my list because it’s one of those destinations that looks magical in every photo, and I’m excited to experience it in person.
Travel is such a huge part of my life, not just because of my career, but because of what it gives me personally. Family trips are special because they let me slow down and be fully present with my daughter, watching her grow and seeing her personality change in real time. Girls’ trips are different, but just as important. They’re full of laughter, connection, and memories that stay with you forever.
Q: Who inspires you the most?
Who inspires me the most is definitely my daughter. She drives me crazy sometimes—she’s wild, full of energy, and keeps me on my toes—but she inspires me every day. She makes me want to do more and be more, because I want her to grow up knowing that she can do it all. She can earn her own money, build her own life, and do anything she wants if she stays consistent, motivated, and believes in herself.
My daughter has also been one of the greatest lessons and blessings of my life. She was born deaf, and at the time it felt like one of the hardest seasons I had ever walked through. But looking back now, it became one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. She is thriving, full of personality, joy, humor, and confidence. She amazes me every day. What once felt so heavy became something beautiful, and she reminds me constantly that challenges do not define a person, they shape strength.
I’m also inspired by the women around me in business, especially the travel agents I work with. Some of them are balancing full-time careers, raising multiple children, running side businesses, and still finding time to travel and create opportunities for themselves. Watching women handle so much with grace and determination is so inspiring.
Q: If you had one piece of advice to give to people, what would you say?
If I had one piece of advice to give people, it would be: just do it. It sounds simple, maybe even a little corny, but it’s true. Do it scared. Do it without knowing exactly how it’s going to turn out. Do it before you feel fully ready.
I’ve learned that life can change in an instant. There was a time when I dreamed of everything I have now. A beautiful home that I love, being a mom, building a life and family. Then one day you wake up and realize how fragile it all is. We’ve had sickness and loss in our family. Moments like that change your perspective. They make you realize that nothing is guaranteed, and so much of the stress we carry is over things that don’t really matter. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed. At the end of the day, what stays with you are the memories you made, so just do it.
Q: What are a few of your favorite smells?
I’m so sensitive to smells, so strong scents are not my thing at all. My favorite smells are the simple, fresh ones. Things like: coffee in the morning, and the beach: the sand, the sea, that clean ocean air. Those kinds of smells just feel calming to me.
Q: What are a couple words or phrases you think of when you hear the word home?
When I hear the word home, I think of laughter first. We laugh a lot in our house. More than anything, home means security to me. If I’m feeling anxious, tired, unsure, or just off, home is where I go to reset. It’s my safe place. That’s the best way I can describe it.
Q: Where can people find you and your business?
Monique Klimov
Memoriesbmo@gmail.com
267.992.5900