Meet Jerisha Hawkins | Bleisure Strategist

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

Hi Jerisha, how does your business help the community?
Rethink Bleisure helps entrepreneurs and corporations think strategically about why they need to continue to travel and how to save on their travels.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My Story-

I grew up in a small city Romulus, MI and spent part of my part of my life in South Florida. I have always had a passion for travel and love seeing the world. I am intrigued by other cultures and learning how others live and do business around the world. I am a travelpreneur and Bleisure Strategist. I come from a wide spectrum of corporate experiences. My background includes travel, technical communications, project management, human resources, and administration. During my corporate career, I had the opportunity to travel for business and always paid close attention to companies that did an excellent job attracting and retaining the highest talent level. In 2018, I launched a travel agency “Love What You Do Travel”. I successfully ran this business up to the pandemic. When 2020 hit I knew I had to pivot. Thus, Rethink Bleisure was born and launched at the end of 2021. Rethink Bleisure was born out of my necessity to provide a travel solution to help employees, entrepreneurs, and corporations travel smarter and for less money. Companies are faced with new challenges that call for new solutions. I love working with companies to develop corporate travel policies and think strategically about how to save money in their travel budgets. In this business, I particularly highlight the millennial traveler. They are the next leaders and currently lead in the bleisure segment of travel. I am most proud of this new endeavor because it allows me to focus on the segment of the travel industry I am most passionate about and interested in.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since my good friend lives on the West Coast. I am sure she would like to rest up before hitting these Miami streets. She would most likely have to catch up on a few emails and calls when she lands. We would stop by Cortadito Coffee House before starting the leisurely part of her weekend.

Day 1: Lounge + Swim +Just Relax -We would hit South Beach like South Pointe Park Pier where she can see some of the best views in Miami and chill.

Day 2: Hot Yoga + Artsy Flair-Since we both enjoy Yoga I would treat her to a drop-in class @ Modo Yoga-Miami Beach. We are both artsy creatives so an afternoon in the Wynwood and Art Deco Districts would fit perfectly. I have heard wonderful things about the beautiful vibrant Rosa Sky. Hopefully, they serve the popular Rosa Belaire here (wink wink). I am thinking dinner and a toast to kick off the weekend. This would be my first time experiencing this Miami rooftop, so I am super pumped!

Day 3: You Better Rest Up Girl, We Outside Tonight Lol! + Miami Club Hopping-Our private driver will pick us up around 8pm. Starting the night off at Komodo for cocktails, then E11Even ending the night at a concert at LIV.

Day 4: Shop Til We Drop + Do It Some More! We are both pretty disciplined when it comes to shopping but sometimes girls have to let loose you know lol! Miami has so many options Bel Harbour Shops, Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre. I’ll leave this one to her to choose.

Day 5: Brunch + See ya next time friend! Perfect opportunity to stop in to see my friend’s at Balan’s for brunch. They serve some of the best mimosas in Miami.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I most certainly didn’t make it to this level on my own. A special thanks to all of the corporations I ever worked for who allowed me to take bleisure trips and get to know the business travelers’ way of life. Thank you to the best boss ever, Dr. Trevor Mundel, MD, PhD! It’s been a long time, but your work ethic and zeal to develop others around you will never be forgotten. Thank you Dr. Victor and Catherine Eagan for not only showing but also encouraging me to see the world in my twenties. I love you both! To Daymond John, The People’s Shark, I have always admired your grind and passion to see other entrepreneurs like myself thrive. I also like to acknowledge my long time good friend Dr. Marla Parker, PhD for always encouraging me to shoot for the stars. I am forever grateful. To Hajj Flemings, Rebrand Cities, my local hero, who I have always looked to. I have shadowed parts of your life as rubric to my success in business. I am not perfect, but I am working at this thing ever day. I’ll get there! Thank you for being an excellent example and paving the way for entrepreneurs like myself. And to Rick Ross “The Biggest Boss” “Everyday, I’m Hustlin”, Eminem for your track “Lose Yourself” and Jeezy for the hook line from your track “Put On!” You kept me “HYPE” through the writing process of my first book “Rethink Bleisure”. This one is for my CITIES Detroit, MIami, Atlanta!

Website: www.rethinkbleisure.com

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