Meet Jasmine Adekunle: model, entrepreneur, and founder of Destined to Travel. Her journey inspires as she breaks barriers in the travel industry.
Model and dual business-owner Jasmine Adekunle is the epitome of an inspirational and international woman. With God and her mother as her guiding lights, she has built two reputable businesses from the ground up. We loved learning about her incredible journey and what makes Jasmine a world explorer extraordinaire…
Where do you call home?
Though I am of mixed heritage, London is my home.
My father was Nigerian and my mother is Jamaican. Usually saying that out loud makes everyone scream, but yes, it has its perks! Before anyone asks, I do not prefer one over the other. I love both countries equally!
I am privileged in that growing up in London immediately exposes you to a diverse community.
Everyone can call London home, and that is the real beauty behind it – there is a piece for everybody.
What does your typical day look like?
By day, I work for an international publishing company. By night, if you can call it that, I have a hair business, I model and I also have my own travel business, Destined to Travel!
Destined to Travel is my baby. I built it from the ground up. I am immensely proud of where it is now, what it is widely recognised for and the trajectory it is going on.
How did you come to be the successful entrepreneur you are today?
God! I am a child of God first and foremost. Without his divine intervention I would not have a career, let alone an idea.
With that in mind, I have realised over the years that it is incredibly important to pursue what you are passionate about, something that, even in your darkest moments, you would still be excited to do.
Travel is that for me. It enables me to transcend into a world that I never thought was possible together with that dream!
What does your typical creative process look like?
The client is the focus. My job asa premium luxury travel designer is to remind them that luxury is attainable, however big, small, wide or narrow, but does require knowledge.
I take my clients on a consultative journey to establish trust and comfort, and then we break the formalities to change the affiliation into a friendship till we create a masterpiece.
What inspired you the most when starting out in your career?
What struck me the most is the lack of representation in the travel industry. It’s quite shocking considering this is a sector that is supposed to connect people on an international scale. But it can be quite motivating if you think about it in terms of being the first to lead the way for others. I wanted to be that.
How has your career evolved?
I started my business in January 2020. From travelling for the fun of it, to creating a model that yields monetary and reputational value. My business has touched the hands of Forbes Travel Guide, Condé Nast and some of the biggest hotel brands in the world, all of whom I am privileged to call lifelong friends. There’s still a lot to learn in life, but I am willing to receive wisdom.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career?
Learning to accept my wins for long enough to realise it’s a reality. My life is extremely fast-paced, and with that it can be extremely burdening to stop and pay acknowledgement to what it isI have achieved. Over time I have gotten better at this, but it’s still a work in progress.
Are you working on any passion projects right now?
Travel is my main passion project, but I love to model occasionally. Thanks to the amazing Amanda Akokhia and Rachel, better known as TouchedbyRachel, my face has been in many international magazines, namely Vogue, Malvie, Moveux and more. I also have a hair business. I am known for how much hair I have. It’s my signature and my identity. My father always used to say that I have a lion’s mane, and it’s true!
How has being a black woman or non-binary person influenced your career?
Black is my identity. It is who I represent as a people. I represent the under-represented. Being black in a heavily Caucasian industry could take on two forms; it can make you scared or it can empower you. For me, I find it incredibly empowering. I have no competition in showing people why we belong, but I can also be the point of inspiration for many others that might be hesitant to say YES! We as people are insanely talented, but we are not given the platforms to showcase this. However, instead of waiting for this, why don’t we just create it ourselves?
What is your favourite part about being a black woman or non-binary person?
We are powerful, we are understated, we are defiant, we are an example for many. We go through a lot, but we still stand and show others how to as well. We are teachers, we are carriers of the masses. No one can do it without us, and that’s a fact.
Respect us. Simple.
What role does your hair play in how you express yourself?
My hair is the first thing you notice about me. It’s my signature and has been since primary school.
It has always been long, thick, dark and the envy of many. I really do take pride in it because I believe my hair takes me on a journey similar to life. It’s beautiful one minute, then it has its moments when you need to be attentive and creative to recover and restore it the next. I’ve been completely natural for four years now, and it’s the best decision I have made.
How has your relationship with your hair been through the years?
Full of broken combs, hairbands, broken purse pockets and conditioner tubs that finished too quickly, but overall beautiful! My relationship with my hair, and the current positioning of it, is very much in line with where I am in my life right now; grateful!
