How to Make Dream Vacations a Reality as an Entrepreneur

^{*Stephanie Cartin is an owner with and a paid ambassador for Marriott Vacation Club.}

When I set out to start my own business, I wanted to be able to have as much control in my life as possible. Travel and vacation experiences have always been something that have been important to me, and as a business owner, having a way to take beautiful vacations each year and not have to worry about whether I’d be able to afford the vacation was crucial.

Growing up, my family had ownership with Marriott Vacation Club and I had the opportunity to learn and experience what vacation ownership was able to provide for my family. My best memories from my childhood were the experiences I had traveling to places like Marriott’s Barony Beach Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina. I still remember participating in the kid’s club activities and tumbling on the sandy beaches. Now, as a mom, I wanted to be sure that I was able to give my daughter these beautiful experiences as well.  

For the past 5 years since Mollie was born, we’ve made it a priority to always take vacations together as a family. Every time I share where we go and the resorts we stay at, other founders ask me how I am able to travel to all of these luxurious properties every single year. I always get so excited to share my business and vacation secrets with everyone, because the truth of the matter is, if I didn’t own with Marriott Vacation Club, there’s no way I’d be able to afford to travel the way we have been able to!

I want you to be able to experience this, so here’s what you need to know about how vacation ownership works and how you can take a lifetime of luxury vacations.  

What does it mean to own your vacations? 

Vacation ownership means that instead of renting hotel rooms or other accommodations each year when you travel, you actually own your vacations. 

There are a few reasons why this has been so amazing for my family. With ownership, you get access to spacious villas that provide the comforts of your own home, so that you can be comfortable as you travel to desirable destinations across the world. 

There are  90+ Marriott Vacation Clubs resorts you can choose from plus thousands of affiliate resorts and Marriott hotels where you can stay that are all bucket list destinations without compromising quality and consistency. Pro Tip: With ownership, you can experience guided tours in countries like Europe or enjoy cruises aboard major cruise lines sailing to places like the Caribbean or Alaska!

The true beauty of the Marriott Vacation Club lies in its flexibility. With assured vacation time and the ability to plan your getaways on your terms, you can choose when, where, and how you want to travel. 

The program's allotment of points allows you to reserve the number of days and villa sizes that best suit your travel plans, ensuring a truly personalized experience.

Instead of paying for your hotel rooms every year and getting a receipt when you check out, with this program, what you pay is actually going toward something that you own. The best part is, you’re locking in future vacation costs at today’s prices.

As a business owner, I am always thinking ahead to how I can save money and guarantee the best results and this is what has allowed me to do the same for our travels.

I always think when I look back on my life, am I going to wish I worked harder, or wish I spent more time with my family, traveling and enjoying experiences together? 

I know that I can continue to build my business and also have the peace of mind that I will always be able to travel and have quality family time taking vacations because of Marriott Vacation Club. 

If you’d like to experience what it’s like to be an owner, explore The Marriott Vacation Clubs. 

And, keep an eye out because Marriott is offering our Entreprenista Community special resort packages throughout the year so you can make a lifetime of memories, too!