In a small unfinished basement, she set up her first travel company focused on destination weddings in 2005. Fast forward to 2010 and with no financial backing, Simpson transformed her company into a $4 million success story. As part of her own reinvention, Simpson then shifted into the luxury group speciality travel market, and her story comes full circle this year with a move from travel agent to travel personality and leading travel expert in national and international media. With this enhanced public profile, Simpson is helping travel brands reinvent themselves amid global uncertainty in the industry and plans projects and media for ACTA (Association of Canadian Travel Agents).

Simpson recently decided to utilize her extra travel agency space to set up a European style coffee shop which will bring people into the store and may help to keep the travel dream alive. The Travel Cafe is unique in North America and used travel theme areas and serves travel inspired food and ethically sourced coffee from around the globe. She uses BarterPay for both her businesses and has been able to access useful services needed for her pivot Cafe business such as signage, web services, marketing and printing. 

“Barter Pay has helped me pivot and start up a new business that will allow me to take care of my family during this down time”, said Simpson.