Jamie Biesiada
Because the previous paradoxical assertion goes, in enterprise, the one danger just isn’t taking dangers.
Whether or not that is true or not, it was a danger — albeit, a calculated one — that resulted within the formation of one of many business’s largest host businesses: KHM Journey Group.
Immediately, KHM is dwelling to greater than 5,000 journey advisors. The Brunswick, Ohio-based host sits at No. 41 on Travel Weekly’s Power List. This marks its twentieth yr in enterprise, an anniversary celebrated throughout KHM’s Crystal Convention, held final month on the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace — Disney Springs Space.
Through the convention, a video message from Jeff Leach, an early investor within the host, painted an image of the founding of KHM.
Years in the past, Leach met KHM CEO Rick Zimmerman via their church, St. Malachi Parish in Cleveland. There, Zimmerman helped lead a program for kids and younger adults.
“For numerous years, I noticed firsthand the impression Rick made on my youngsters, these of our associates and so many different younger adults from a wide range of backgrounds,” Leach stated. “It was life-changing stuff, imagine me.”
On the time, Zimmerman was within the dwelling transforming enterprise and Leach owned a 100-year-old dwelling. For greater than 10 years, the 2 labored collectively to rework the house, dealing with a number of challenges alongside the way in which (Leach bought the home in 2019. He quipped, “The one different particular person happier on the face of the Earth was Rick.”).
“I witnessed his ardour and drive to construct one thing that his workers and his clients would recognize and be happy with,” Leach stated. “So from the outset, he held himself and his staff accountable, pressured integrity, customer support, teamwork, a excessive diploma of professionalism, with a heavy emphasis on giving again to the group and all the time, all the time being grateful for all God’s blessings.”
One man’s dream
Someday in 2004 or 2005, Zimmerman shared a brand new dream with Leach: beginning a number company the place individuals might begin their very own profitable companies. He needed Leach to come back on as an investor within the challenge.
Leach wasn’t certain. He even requested a member of the family working at a struggling native journey company if she thought it was a good suggestion; she did not. However Leach continued speaking to Zimmerman concerning the alternative.
“I had seen how Rick carried himself as a instructor and former of younger individuals at our church, how he handled individuals in his small enterprise,” Leach stated. “My very own expertise with him advised me that he jogged my memory of so most of the profitable individuals and enterprises I had are available contact with in my enterprise profession.”
Zimmerman, Leach stated, had sound rules and values, and constructed strong relationships. He was additionally clever and had drive and focus.
“The largest query, after all, was, was a number company thought going to take root?” Leach stated. “Rick satisfied me that our situations have been ripe, so we took the leap, and the remainder is historical past.”
Geoff Cox, vice chairman of gross sales and advertising and marketing at KHM, stated Zimmerman himself was the motive force in establishing the host company.
“The entire motive he obtained this factor began was as a result of somebody believed particularly in him, not within the thought,” Cox stated.
Cox met Zimmerman in 2005 when he was Carnival’s gross sales rep in Northeast Ohio. KHM was his account.
When Zimmerman requested for 15% fee off the bat, regardless of no gross sales document with the cruise line, Cox instantly OK’d the concept. He noticed the potential behind KHM.
Cox finally joined the company in 2011. It was on a progress trajectory, with nicely over 1,000 impartial contractors (ICs).
“Nearly each single dime that we made again then was reinvested again into the corporate,” Cox stated. “It is by no means been concerning the cash. It is all the time been about doing what’s proper by the individuals. We’re 100% devoted to our brokers.
Continued progress
That angle has paid off. A number of brokers have caught with KHM for greater than 15 years. KHM at present has greater than 5,300 ICs.
Final yr was a document one for KHM, which recorded round $409 million in annual gross sales, Cox stated. The host is on observe to develop to $430 million-plus this yr. Reserving home windows are lengthy, too, with extra advisors reserving purchasers for 2026 than for 2025.
In a launch about this yr’s Crystal Convention, Zimmerman attributed a lot of KHM’s success to its staff.
“When KHM Journey Group was born, I leaned on a easy fact: Encompass your self with the proper individuals,” he stated, including that he believes the host is on its means “to changing into a 100-year firm, constructed on partnerships, integrity and innovation.”
