Escape the Winter and Plan a Trip with Costa Venture Cruise Planners

We love to get to know the people who are making our town the flourishing and business-friendly place that it is. In this installment of Voices of Nutley we are talking to Ben Costa, a travel advisor whose Nutley based company is a great resource for planning your next adventure! We asked Ben a few questions and here is what he had to say:

Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you are from and what you do?

My wife, Rosemary, and I are both originally from Hoboken.  After getting married in 1990, we got our first apartment in Nutley and loved the town so much that we settled here to build our family. We have three great children: Jillian is a Boston University graduate now working as a marketing professional; Nicole is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and works as an administrator at Seton Hall; and Anthony is currently attending Fordham University. My children attended Nutley public schools and were fortunate to get involved with the music programs, so we as a family have always been very involved in the town. My wife works for the Township of Nutley in the Department of Revenue and Finance, where she has worked for 28 years. I had a long career as chemist and project manager working for various Pharmaceutical and Consumer Healthcare companies for 32 years and in the last year decided to make the change over to being a business owner and travel agent.

Why did you decide to start your own business? What inspired you?

I had a successful career as a Pharmaceutical scientist, and enjoyed my work. However, in the past 10 years as companies began to merge they also decided to reduce their US presence and outsource much of the science. As a manager, I saw my staff and budget reduced year after year while demands and profits went up. When I was informed that my position was being moved to Singapore for the second time in as many years, I decided that it was time for a change. I travelled internationally quite a bit for work and planned many trips with my family. I always enjoyed researching new places and then putting everything together for the perfect trip. When I was looking for a new career, I came across the Cruise Planners franchise and it was the right fit. People often say to me that with the internet there is no need for travel agents. I try to explain to them that I am not just a travel agent I am a travel advisor and travel planner. If you are looking for three nights in a North Carolina hotel, I am probably not going to add much value, but if you are planning an Alaska Cruise, European excursion, or Hawaiian Island adventure, I am sure that I can add value in many ways. With my background in research, I can find options and help you compare them. With my project management skills, I will make sure every detail is covered so that you are not finding that your connecting flight in Paris is actually at a different airport. On top of all that, I have the knowledge and resources allowing me to shop around and find the best prices.

How do you like North Jersey and Nutley in particular?

North Jersey, Nutley specifically, is a great place to live, work, and raise kids. I often meet people from suburbs of cities like Philadelphia or Cleveland and when you ask them where they are from the say the city name. I tell them I am from Nutley and proud of it. The Nutley schools are great, the parks are beautiful, and the people are family. I have been offered to relocate to other cities and other countries many times and I rejected them every time. I could not imagine moving my family anywhere else.

How are you involved with the local community? Do you attend events often?

As I said earlier, my kids were very involved in the NHS music programs with both the Choir and Band.  This gets us involved in many activities from concerts to football games and competitions. I am an active member of The Nutley Chamber of Commerce and Nutley UNICO, and recently joined the Nutley Bellville Columbus Day Parade Committee. My wife is a long standing Nutley Rotarian and has been on so many music and PTA committees that I could not even begin to list them. We try to get involved and attend as much as possible.

Images Source: Costa Venture Facebook Page

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