Meet Johnny Jet | Travel Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnny Jet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnny, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started JohnnyJet.com, I was working as a college recruiter in Rancho Palos Verdes. The newsletter and website were initially just a fun hobby where I shared my travel tips. But then, I got featured in USA Today, and the traffic to my site exploded. That’s when I realized I had a real opportunity to turn this into a business and become my own boss.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My story is unique because I wasn’t always the confident traveler I am today. In fact, I used to be afraid not only of flying but also of leaving the house. Overcoming those fears was a major turning point in my life. Once I conquered them, I began traveling for a living, flying over 100,000 miles a year and visiting dozens of countries. It wasn’t easy—mentally or physically—but I realized that if I wanted to live this incredible lifestyle, I needed to work long hours and stay incredibly organized.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that overcoming fear and pushing through challenges is key to growth. The road (or sky) hasn’t always been smooth, but staying committed and disciplined has been essential.

What I want the world to know is that my brand is built on the love of helping others travel smarter, cheaper and safer. I’ve been fortunate to turn my fears into strengths and built a career that allows me to share my experiences and inspire others to explore the world. As corny as it sounds, I truly believe that the more people travel internationally, the fewer prejudices there will be in the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first place I’d take my best friend is In-N-Out at LAX—it’s the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat near the airport and plane spotting, which we both love. We’d spend a lot of time in Manhattan Beach, playing beach volleyball and riding bikes along The Strand. For breakfast, we’d definitely hit up Uncle Bill’s for some delicious classic fare.

During the week, we’d go for hikes in Palos Verdes, then have lunch at Raffaello Ristorante in San Pedro or grab sandwiches from Busy Bee (cash only). If they’re staying at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, our kids could swim in the fun pool, kayak along the shore, or just enjoy the incredible views. We’d cap off the day with dinner at Nelson’s, where we can watch whales breaching while catching the sunset—definitely a highlight of the trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s a long list of people who’ve helped me along the way with my website, but I’d especially like to shout out a few key people. First, my late parents, whose encouragement and support laid the foundation for everything. My former co-workers at MCPV, Kevin and Bojan, for their invaluable tech support. My ex-brother-in-law for helping to fund the first few months, and of course, my wife, who has been my dedicated editor for the last 15 years.

Website: http://www.johnnyjet.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/johnnyjet/

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-jet-5897531/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JohnnyJet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnyJet747/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/johnnyjet

Image Credits
Sydney photo is “Yvonne for Flytographer”