WorldCity Business Magazine

Sky Warrior

by Ebony Kirkland

Ebony Kirkland was way ahead of the curve in 1984 when she decided to launch a company focused on market research for ethnic markets. If the amount of time she spends traveling is any reflection of success, she’s got nothing to worry about. This Sky Warrior racks up 200,000 air miles a year. A portion of that travel is shuttling among her offices in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Miami, as well as field offices in Atlanta and Costa Rica, her home country. When WorldCity caught up with Ebony Kirkland, she had was shuttling between the Carolinas, New York, Miami and Panama all before she headed off to a conference in Egypt.

What is your best travel tip?

I always have my luggage packed, ready to go. I travel with the same skirts and tops and jacket and it works great. I also leave space in my luggage to buy a cute little outfit when I’m out of the country lovely European or Asian clothes.

Your most frequent destinations?

D.C. and Atlanta because we also have offices there. I do Los Angeles because clients send us there a lot. Also, Costa Rica and Panama.

*Which is your favorite? *

That’s a tough question. Europe is wonderful. I think England is a great place. And I would have to say New York. I see it as the capital of the world the financial market and most businesses have a presence there. And there’s such a diversity of people.

*What about hotels? *

I love the Sonesta Beach and the Ritz-Carlton. I love the Ritz in Los Angeles. It’s fabulous. I also love the Ritz in Miami, the one on Key Biscayne. Internationally, it’s the Marriott in Singapore.

And restaurants?

I think part of traveling means experiencing the culture through food. I don’t like going to tourist areas. I ask the concierge for recommendations on places where the local people eat. In Cambodia, I ended up eating in a little hole-in-the-wall on a mountaintop. **

What cell phone service do you use when traveling?

I have Cingular wireless and I have a Blackberry and they keep me connected usually. When I was in Cambodia I wasn’t connected. There was no connection there at all. Sometimes that happens.

*How do you kill time in airports? *

I try to get non-stop flights because I hate layovers. They’re such a waste of time. Before a flight, I bring tapes and books and I read. If it’s very early in the morning, I grab breakfast.

*Do you have a favorite airport? *

Singapore was beautiful. Tokyo was beautiful.

Is there an airport you really dread?

There are a couple. I don’t care for the Atlanta airport. It’s always crowded. In Houston, Hobby airport is crowded and busy and so big that it’s overwhelming.

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How would you make airports better?

It would be nice to have a library. I was in Seoul Korea and one of the things they had is a library in the subway. Why can’t we do that with at the airport? If you had enough airports doing it you could connect them nationally pick up a book at one airport and return it at the next.

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Do you have any travel pet peeves?

I try not to let things get on my nerves, but there is one thing. I like to have my rental car available immediately. I want to get off the plane and right into the car. Sometimes the rental agencies aren’t always that expeditious. Another thing is when you get in a car and it’s not clean.

What’s the hardest thing about business travel?

Packing and unpacking. I hate it.

The best thing?

Seeing other countries and other cultures. Being able to be in touch with the universe. It’s amazing when you take off in the rain and you arrive in another place that’s sunny and bright. I love that transition.