Deidre Mathis, author of Wonderlust: For The Young Broke Professional testifies to the becoming of the first black owned female hostel in the United States. Her dream started through the passion of traveling.
During her interview with The Black Professional magazine she was asked about her life as a traveler.
Tiffany: How many countries have you traveled to?
Deidre: I’ve traveled to 37 countries.
Tiffany: When was the first time you traveled overseas?
Deidre: 2007, Dominican Republic, I participated in a study abroad program in college.
Tiffany: How has traveling affected you? Positively or Negatively.
Deidre: Extremely positive. By the time I finished my master’s degree, I had already taught English in South Korea, studied the Hindi language in India, and practiced Spanish in Costa Rica.
Deidre Mathis a 31 year old authot and business woman says she quit her job in 2013, traveled for a year, created her brand and decided to open a business and write a book.
Deidre’s book “Wonderlust: For The Young, Broke Professional” is a guide thay shows people how to affored to travel without a full time job, but with interning, and more options. The book also inspires language enhancing to stay a float of the countries one decides to visit.
Deidre talks about her business, owning the only black owned hostel in the U.S, located in Houston Texas. The name of the hostel was inspired by Wonderlust, and is called Wanderstay Hotels.
Tiffany: Tell us about your business? What made you want to start your own company?
Deidre: I knew that I had a goal of working for myself. I wanted the challenge and I wanted to create a legacy that could be passed down to my kids.
Tiffany: What are your views on being a black entrepreneur?
Deidre: It is necessary! We need to start creating jobs and becoming business owners so that we have more control of our time, dollars, and can work in industries we enjoy!
Tiffany: What career advice would you have for your 21-year-old self if you knew then what you know now?
Deidre: Don’t mess up your credit, save as much money a possible, and continue to explore different career options
