Celebrating 4 years of Journeys Made
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Four years ago, a simple yet wonderful idea was born. Today, as I celebrate the 4th anniversary of Journeys Made, I want to take you behind the scenes of how this journey began and share how your support has shaped every step of the way.
Where it all began
Before Journeys Made was created in 2021, I was running my own travel agency. It launched in November 2019, and I was so excited to help people explore the world and create memories that would last a lifetime. But just a few months later, the unexpected happened. In January 2020, the pandemic hit and the travel industry was bought to a standstill. As borders closed and plans were cancelled, my dream began to crumble.
After a year of challenges, I made the incredibly difficult decision to close the travel agency. It was a heartbreaking moment, but it also became the turning point for something truly unique.
Turning memories into keepsakes
During lockdown, like so many others, I found myself reminiscing about past holidays. Those memories of my adventures brought me lots of happiness and inspiration, I was essentially armchair travelling through my travel memories. Yet, it made me realise yet how little I thought about them in my daily life. I had been so caught up in the hustle and bustle that these cherished memories had been pushed to the back of my mind.
That’s when inspiration struck! What if there was a way to keep these memories alive every single day? This thought sparked the idea for the Journeys Made travel keyring, a keepsake that holds engraved tokens, each representing a destination you’ve been to. A small but meaningful item that could transport you back to life’s biggest adventures with just a glance.
" I used to book holidays and now I help people remember them."
From idea to reality
In 2021, Journeys Made was officially launched. Every token was handstamped and every keyring handmade with love, crafted to help people celebrate their journeys. My first sale was a moment I’ll never forget. It marked the beginning of a business built on connection, nostalgia and a love of travel.
Since that first order, Journeys Made has grown in ways I never imagined. The travel keyrings have travelled across the globe, from United Kingdom to Australia, becoming treasured keepsakes for adventurers everywhere. Seeing my products in your hands and reading your heartfelt stories has been the most rewarding part of this journey.
Highlights from the last 4 years
As I celebrate this milestone, I’m proud to share some of the highlights from my small business journey:
2021: Launched the first travel keyring and made my first sale.
2022: Shipped the first international order, expanding Journeys Made to a global audience.
2023: Introduced new colours to the collection, opened up to corporate gifting, and featured in HomeStyle Christmas Magazine
2024: Hit 2731 orders, became the first business to secure two grants from Medway Council, bought a state-of-the-art laser machine, won Small Business Sunday by Theo Paphitis, and featured in Cruise & Travel's online gift guide.
Thank you for supporting my dream
Running a small business has been full of challenges, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Every order, review, and story you’ve shared has meant the world to me. Your support has allowed me to turn my passion into a reality and helped Journeys Made grow into the brand it is today.
As I look ahead to year five, I’m excited to dream even bigger. From new product ideas to fresh ways to connect with you, there’s so much to look forward to.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more adventures together!
The Author: Jade Scammells
Jade is the founder of Journeys Made, a gift business based in Kent, UK. She has been an avid traveller since the age of 1, and has travelled to over 20 countries, her favourite being Costa Rica. When she's not travelling or running the business, she can be found spending quality time with her family.