Media Contact:
Andrea Czarnota, Epperly Travel
586-612-4074
andrea@epperlytravel.com
Acquisition brings together two of the most reputable boutique brands in travel
JULY 6, 2021 – ATLANTA, GA – Epperly Travel, an Atlanta-based travel agency, has announced its acquisition of Jetset World Travel. The move brings together two of the most reputable boutique brands in the travel industry, representing a combined pre-COVID annual sales revenue of $25 million. Additionally, it merges the goals of the two innovative female founders, Lindsey Epperly, founder of Epperly Travel, and Julia Pirrung, founder of Jetset World Travel.
Epperly Travel will operate as the parent company and maintain the Jetset World Travel brand, setting an example of a team-based business model, which Epperly Travel is known for fostering. Advisors and clients from both companies will benefit from the cultural and communal similarities of the two agencies.
“What makes this acquisition special is that it goes against the trends we’ve been seeing in the industry lately,” says Epperly. “Consolidation these days always seems to involve a mega-agency. Julia and I have both been dedicated to bringing back boutique, so we started brainstorming on how we could strengthen both companies without sacrificing our focus of community, culture, and innovation.”
The Epperly Travel leadership team of Lindsey Epperly, CEO, Jeremy Sulek, COO, and Cassie McMillion Deifik, Managing Director, has also grown to include Megan Hintz, residing COO of Jetset World Travel. The acquisition will provide team members from both agencies with advanced technology, superior training, and dedicated support through Epperly Travel’s proprietary advisor programs.
“It was the expanded leadership team, their vibrant energy and similar culture that made this combination an undeniable proposition,” says Pirrung, who will now operate as an independent contractor for Jetset. “Epperly Travel’s shared values, cherished character and innovative business acumen bolster what we’ve been cultivating at Jetset. The acquisition undoubtedly positions the brands to emerge stronger together.”
Jetset World Travel was founded by Pirrung in 2005 and headquartered out of Aspen, though the team remains largely virtual and extends across the U.S.
“Leveraging buying power is key to remaining competitive in this climate, and I’ve observed the stressors placed on entrepreneurs,” says Pirrung, “but the idea of losing our identity and selling to a mega-agency never appealed.”
“This is what rebuilding better looks like,” says Epperly. “With this acquisition, I’m confident we can breathe life into the entrepreneurial spirit of the travel industry so that it supports and celebrates the innovation that small businesses bring to the table.”
The Jetset World Travel acquisition will be Epperly Travel’s first acquisition since it was founded in 2014.
About Epperly Travel:
Epperly Travel is a virtual travel agency that specializes in planning luxury travel and serving entrepreneurial travel advisors. With the acquisition of Jetset World Travel, the company is now comprised of 42 independent contractors, including affiliate agencies, and6 employees.Represented within the team are multiple honorees to Travel Agent Magazine’s 30 Under 30, Luxury Travel Advisor’s Trendsetter, Travel and Leisure’s Rising Star, the Wendy Perrin WOW List, and Condé Nast’s Top Travel Specialists. Additionally, Epperly created and hosted EntreTravel’s Travel Agent Rebuilding Series and was named to Forbes Next 1000. Pirrung founded and sold the Axus Travel App and has been recognized as Virtuoso’s Rising Star, Crain’s Top 40 Under 40, and has been named to the Travel + Leisure A-List. All Epperly Travel advisors and affiliates are dedicated to the company’s mission to be gracious travel industry citizens.
For more information, please visit www.epperlytravel.com
