Owner/President: Young W. Sexton Company: WingGate Travel, Inc. Address: 8645 College Blvd., Suite 100 Overland Park, KS 66210 E-mail: WebSite: www.winggatetravel.com Type of Business: Full-Service Travel Agency Year Founded: 1991
WingGate Travel is a full-service travel agency providing corporate travel management services as well as individual leisure travel services. We specialize in tailoring our corporate programs to meet client’s particular needs with dedicated travel consultant concepts. As a representative of the American Express Travel Network, WingGate Travel brings the best of both worlds to our customers. Our goal is total customer satisfaction.
The company was founded in Overland Park in 1991 and has grown to four locations
Personal Wealth I believe one of the ultimate objectives for most small business owners is financial independence. In a way, whether you are a business owner or work for any company, we all are working for eventual financial independence and comfortable retirement. Personal wealth to me is personal growth in every aspect: intellectual growth, spiritual growth and financial growth.
For the first several years, I didn’t have any income to pay employees and myself and I had to forgo much of my compensation. Times were tough and, of course, nobody will loan money to a start-up company. I was lucky though to have money saved up to live for a while. Without that savings and financial preparation, I wouldn’t have survived all the ups and downs of business cycles and changes that go on these days. As a result of prudent financial planning and management, I enjoy sharing some of our business successes with various educational institutions, community projects and social organizations.
Community Wealth As you probably know, 96 percent of all jobs are created by small business. Especially when most of the major corporations are cutting jobs in mass numbers like right now, the contribution that small businesses are making to the community is critical for the health of the community.
WingGate Travel started business with one employee in 1991 and has grown to 14 employees nationwide. Our contributions to the community are huge, but in an indirect sense. We provide services that bring convenience, monetary savings as well as time savings to customers so that they can generate community wealth and bring more jobs and industry into the community.
Social Wealth As a first-generation immigrant from Korea, I am very much interested in helping other Asian business owners and the community.
I founded the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce in the Greater Kansas City area and currently serve as its president. The main purposes of this organization are: (1) to provide networking opportunities between mainstream corporations and Asian-owned businesses, (2) to provide education that can stimulate business growth to all Asian-owned businesses, (3) to provide an open forum to hear Asian business owners’ concerns and problems, and create political clout with a unified voice. In addition to serving as president of the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, I am a member of the KC Plaza Rotary Club. Through this organization, I am involved in various charity works, such as helping the Bridge Home for Children, Shoes for Orphan Souls, Ozanam Home, and a mentoring program with Paseo High School students.
I also serve on the Board of the Minority Supplier Council. I am a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and worked extensively to initiate the Chamber’s POWER program to Asian business owners. I truly enjoy working with all these organizations. I am convinced that we can accomplish so much more as a group than as individuals.
On a personal note, I feel blessed that I can share the fruits of my hard work with others. Whenever I share with others, I truly feel that I receive much more than I give.
Financing I financed the business with severance pay that I received from a previous employer and personal savings. I worked for a large insurance company prior to starting my own business. I decided to opt out and to take the severance package and leave the corporation in lieu of a transfer offer. At that point of my life, I was ready to meet the challenges of becoming a small business owner.
Certifications I am a certified 8(a) contractor by SBA. WingGate Travel is a certified MBE from the Minority Supplier Council. WingGate Travel also holds MBE and WBE certifications from the states of Missouri and Kansas and from the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
Most Significant Accomplishment I consider my most significant accomplishment the steady and consistent growth of the company. Soon after I started the business, the travel industry experienced some drastic changes every year. This is an industry that has gone from 10 percent to zero commission and has also seen the challenge of Internet booking capabilities. Travel budgets are the first cuts when the economy is down, with business or leisure travel. With all the ups and downs of the economic and industrial cycles, we have managed to grow to become an agency doing over $13 million in sales annually.
Another accomplishment I am proud of is the creation of an alliance of a national team of six travel agencies with a consultant, created to pursue large, national accounts and to compete against large corporations. By combining our resources and talents, we have been very successful in obtaining some large government contracts.
Greatest Challenge The biggest challenge is overcoming perception. Because the size of our business is small and I am a woman, many large corporations are reluctant to give you a chance to compete and are unwilling to give fair consideration to your proposal. The next greatest challenge is a lack of resources. As a small business owner, we don’t have the research and development budget for technological innovations that are needed to stay ahead of others. That is why WingGate Travel has made a strategic decision to become affiliated with American Express.
It takes hard work, dedication and a personal commitment to be a small business owner. Yes, I work 24/7, but I truly enjoy what I do. It is very rewarding when you can turn a bad situation around and bring out something positive and learn from your mistakes.
