Meet the Founders! Ryan Mikucki and Tom MacLean have been in the travel business for nearly 30 years combined. They met while working for a guided tour company for many years and both share a passion for travel. To learn more about Tom and Ryan read below.

TOM MACLEAN: Co-Founder / Director of Sales & Marketing

Tom was born and raised on Vancouver Island. He started traveling at only a few months old and has had a passion for it ever since. He’s now traveled to every continent, except for one, Antarctica.

Tom went to college and received a diploma in Marketing and Sales. After completing that course he decided to go to Cancun in 1998, and applied for various positions. Eventually securing a position in sales for a vacation club at one of the top resorts. Turns out, he had a knack for sales and that was the turning point in his career. Sales and Travel were to become his two passions.

Tom worked for British Telecom in Edinburgh, Scotland to retrace his roots before returning back home to start a career. After putting his resume online, he was contacted by a recruiter about a sales position with a travel company. This resulted in him getting hired as a District Sales Manager for that company in British Columbia, and grew the territory significantly, earning numerous awards and Presidents Club status during his 14 ½ years. It was at this company that he was to meet Ryan Mikucki, who would turn out to become his close friend and future business partner.

The next chapter involved joining a startup Digital Marketing Company for the travel industry, as the VP of Sales and Marketing. This took his knowledge and learning to another level. Having a front row seat to a startup, and the challenges associated with that. Tom also created significant growth and helped transform that business into a dominant player in the travel industry. Ryan Mikucki was to join later, and after a period of time decided that they had to get into business together to start their own company. Both share the same philosophy of integrity, honesty, hard work and delivering great customer service.. In the Summer of 2018, Tom and Ryan filed for incorporation of Trip Merchant Ltd.

RYAN MIKUCKI: Co-Founder / Director of Business Development

Ryan was born to travel. He has now experienced 60 countries on 6 continents, and his journeys to explore new cultures and adventures throughout the world never seem to stop.

Growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), Ryan attended the University of Manitoba and received his bachelor’s degree for Recreation Management and Community Development. He also minored in Marketing. While at University he completed an internship program in Los Cabos, Mexico working at The Westin Resort as a Recreation Coordinator.

Shortly after University, Ryan obtained a career opportunity working for a renowned global tour operator which provided guided tours and river cruises worldwide. He had 10 successful years as a Business Development Manager before being promoted to the Director of Sales of Canada, where he managed and coached a sales force across the country.

Over the years Ryan completed numerous sales and leadership training programs, a Digital Marketing Certificate Program, as well, he attended the University of Calgary’s Continuing Education Program where he took a course on Real Estate Development Marketing, as Real Estate is another passion of his.

In July 2017, he joined a travel-based technology company as the VP of Business Development where he had an immediate impact on the growth of the company. He focused on helping the travel trade grow their business by embracing technology, content and marketing through digital marketing solutions. Ryan and his business partner Tom MacLean worked closely at their previous company which has led them into launching Trip Merchant!

In 2018, Ryan was also recognized as a “Top 40 Under 40” by a reputable travel trade publication called “Canadian Traveller Magazine.”

Ryan now resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, just a short distance to the Rocky Mountains. On his personal time he enjoys spending time with his wife, their dog, family and friends. He’s always up for an adventure and enjoys the outdoors!