Moms to Know: Tyra Andre, Mommy and Wee Travels
If you had only five years to live, what would you do with your time? With everything that happened in the world over the past five years, people are reevaluating where and how they spend their time. This is exactly what a very cool scientist did in 2020, and her life changed forever.
From overcoming fears as a single mother to connecting to more than 30 corners of the globe, Tyra Andre is on a mission to live a life of travel adventure, and she wants you to come with her.
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Please share your journey with us, from clinical laboratory scientist to world traveler and travel agency founder.
Tyra Andre: Growing up, we never traveled. Then, I became an adult that loved to watch things like National Geographic [and] The Travel Channel, and I'd always catch myself gazing at the travel books there in the grocery line. But I just wasn't sure if travel was accessible for me, and I'd always think that it probably cost way too much.
It wasn't until I had started school to become a Clinical Lab Scientist that I took my first ever cruise in 2012. That changed everything! Not only was cruising affordable, but you could go to multiple destinations and experience many different cultures in one trip.
I had only one cruise under my belt by the time I had my daughter Isabella in 2015. Because I felt comfortable with cruising, Isabella's first trip was at 12 months old on a cruise to the Bahamas.
By the time Isabella turned four, she had already been on six cruises. I later joined a travel group that was planning a trip to Paris, but Isabella did not meet the minimum age requirement.
It was after many other setbacks and challenges that I decided to start my own travel agency that caters to children.
After one year, I built up the courage to take our first international trip by ourselves. When we arrived in Paris in 2018, the air smelled different, the language was different, the people were different, the weather was different and the overall culture was different.
Being a Clinical Lab Supervisor placed me directly at the center of the pandemic in 2020. I verified so many positive covid tests that I was shocked that this was even happening in the world.
I saw death on a whole new level. One day, in my office, I asked myself: “If I had five years left to live, what would I be doing with my life?” The answer was easy: I'd be taking my travel agency to the next level and traveling the world while helping others to do the same. From that day on, I began preparing to activate my master plan.
Around the same time, my new manager walked into my office and told me that I needed to take over a fellow supervisor’s team. I said, “Sure where's he at?” Her response was “He's no longer with us.”
This was a coworker that devoted 20+ years to the company. When I showed up to work, he was there; when I left for the day, he was there.
On that day, with only a few months of expenses saved up, I resigned. I could devote the next 20+ years to this company or devote time to my business, work for myself and see where life takes me. So I bet on myself for once.
Now, Mommy and Wee Travels LLC is an award winning Travel Agency. My favorite quote is “If you don't have big dreams and goals, you will end up working for someone who does.”
Where did the travel bug come from?
Tyra Andre: From not having the courage early on to put fear aside and travel. I don’t want this for my daughter or any women that have thoughts of wanting to travel.
The world is so big and beautiful. Believe it or not, a lot of places internationally are way cheaper than traveling within the USA.
Where are your most favorite places that you’ve visited and why?
Tyra Andre: Dubai as well as other destinations in Asia like Bali, Japan and Singapore. I’d love to move to one of these locations one day because the people are some of the kindest that I’ve ever encountered, the food is amazing and the architecture is out of this world.
Tell us about Mommy and Wee Travels LLC and what makes it different.
Tyra Andre: On the travel agency side, we book travel for all. However on the other side, the area that is super close to our hearts, is the space for women and children where we host group trips that cater to the needs of moms with kids who want to travel with other like-minded women.
This year marks the launch of your 501c3 charity, Wee Travels Legacy. Please explain what you hope to do and who you will serve.
Tyra Andre: Our mission is to provide unique travel experiences for all children and their families, to create generational travel impact by nurturing educational travel curiosity, strengthening bonds and shaping future travelers through unity that can be passed down through generations.
What is your best advice for parents that have not traveled outside of the country with their children?
Tyra Andre: Just do it. If planned properly, it can change your family's outlook on how you see the world in an amazing positive way.
I say start with a travel agent such as myself if you are looking for knowledge and expertise to discuss locations that are either a quick flight away or countries that speak English as one of the main languages.
Though you’ve experienced so much beyond Tampa Bay, what do you love most about living here?
Tyra Andre: I was born and raised in Tampa, and there's so many things to do here from the theme parks like Busch Gardens to the zoo and the museums. There is always something to do in my home city.
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Originally published in the February 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.