Kelly Schmitt
Where were you born? In Toronto.
How long have you been in the business? 26 years!
How many people work with you? There are 4 of us – we launched in 2010 in very low-key, part-time fashion. Since January 2012 I have been full time. We’ve now promoted to both Canadian and US agents and have 33,000 agents across North America signed up.
What’s the best part of the job? Being my own boss and being able to make my own decisions. Doing the best for the supplier and the agent.
What did you want to be as a kid? A vet - I love animals! But travel got into my blood very early.
What was your 1st ever job? As a Parks and Rec camp counsellor in Scarborough.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Bungee jumping at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The guy hooking me up warned me of crocodiles in the river!
Any guilty pleasures? Anything sweet. Oh yeah.
What’s your favourite airline? I really like the WestJet experience, so much fun and down to earth.
Favourite hotel? You know what? Beaches in Turks and Caicos. I have 2 young kids and overall it was a great experience, great food, beautiful beach and the kids had a great time.
What’s on your iPad? I’m addicted to realtor.ca. [Laughs] I’m kind of always shopping for a house and it’s an interest I’ve always had.
What do people not know about you? I worked for Club Med at quite a few of the resorts and used to perform the Spanish web – that acrobatic act on a huge rope hanging from the ceiling.
Any hobbies or interests? I’m so busy now with my business and 2 small kids, but 1 day I’d love to investigate my ancestry. 1 day!
When were you happiest? When my children were born. Those were fabulous moments in my life. My son is now 4 and my daughter 7.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? The ability to speak another language.
Is there anything you won’t eat? Peanuts. Not because I’m allergic, I just don’t like them.
What’s at the top of your bucket list? I really want to do a river cruise to Russia.
Ever had a brush with fame? Yes! I was in Thunder Bay at a donut shop and the guys from Great Big Sea were behind me. My husband is a huge fan so I called him and they were so nice and actually spoke to him!
How do you spend your frequent flyer points? We’re actually saving up right now for a family holiday in France next summer.
What was your proudest moment? Being an entrepreneur and putting your heart and soul into this and seeing my company being so well received by the agents.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be? My business partner Franca Cuzzupe. It would be so nice to chill out and just chat, uninterrupted.
Do you have a favourite charity? Breast Cancer for sure.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? The Canadian dollar.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Maybe real estate? Maybe building my ancestry tree!
