OKEMOS - For 35 years, Joy Thrun, CEO and President of Classic Travel in Okemos, has helped people make their travels the best they can be.

"Having the university here, having such well-traveled, well-educated, interesting population to sell travel to I think is also one of the reasons we've sort of succeeded against all odds," Thrun confides.

In all those years, Classic Travel has been housed in four different locations, from Thrun's farmhouse porch to its current location on Okemos Road.

Starting her business back in 1980 was by no means an easy task.

"35 years ago it wasn't popular for women to own businesses," Thrun explains. "My first interest rate was 18% on my first business loan."

Despite the difficulties she faced, Thrun persevered, and was even on the forefront of innovation.

"When I started out a lot of airlines weren't automated, so I was one of the first travel agencies to automate in the country," she recalls.

Thrun concludes by recognizing the importance of having a good staff, and praises the people she's worked with over the years. One of her current staff members, Linda Dolacki, who is a travel consultant for corporate accounts, shares what her experience with Classic Travel is like.

"Every day is different. We talk to the most wonderful people, and get to live their dreams through them," Dolacki says. "It's absolutely wonderful."