Derek Juhl - January 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month
The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC are proud to announce Derek Juhl of Crown Juhl Travel in Britt, IA as the January 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month.
Crown Juhl Travel is a full-service travel agency that plans, books, and manages travel for clients across the globe. Derek organizes hotels, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, airline tickets, rental cars, travel insurance, and activities. For clients, Derek’s comprehensive customer support and access is the primary draw. “A lot of times we can get deals that other people cannot get if they try to book it on their own,” he explained. “If you book a flight through a third party, you might only get a basic economy fare that’s restrictive. We can find more flexible fares and hotel rates. And if something goes wrong, I’m in your corner.”
Derek Juhl built his career on a desire to work independently and create something of his own. Raised in Latimer, IA, Derek attended Iowa State University with the intention to become an attorney and eventually run his own law practice. After graduation, he took a year to work for an attorney, which showed him that the legal profession wasn’t the right fit. “That was an eye opener. I didn’t want to do that,” Derek said. “The negativity of some of the cases just wasn’t for me.” Derek began to reflect on his interests and the kind of work he wanted to pursue. “I’ve always liked history and geography and people. I love people,” he said. “I thought, what do people do that are happy? They go on vacation.” That realization led him to launch Crown Juhl Travel in October 2022.
Starting Crown Juhl Travel required guidance and connections. Derek turned to the NIACC Pappajohn Center and North Iowa SBDC, a resource he remembered from his elementary school days. As a 5th grade student, Derek attended Entrepreneur for a Day, a hands-on program for North Iowa students that teaches the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship. The experience had stayed with him through the years and he reached out to the North Iowa SBDC Director Brook Boehmler, who connected him with longtime travel agent Dick Lukensmeyer. That introduction proved pivotal.
“Dick had been in the business for 39 years,” Derek said. “When I called him, he told me he was about to close his business the following Monday. We met and made a deal, and that’s how I got started.” Derek also joined a host agency that provided registration and industry support while allowing him to brand Crown Juhl Travel independently. He combined advice from Dick, resources from the host agency, and his own marketing through Facebook and radio to grow the business.
For Derek, the most rewarding part of running Crown Juhl Travel is the freedom and the impact on clients. “The freedom to be able to work when I want, where I want, is a big part of it,” he said. “And then to see the stories that clients share, the pictures and the memories that will last them a lifetime, that’s probably the most rewarding.”
Derek encourages others considering entrepreneurship to focus on passion and persistence. “You’ve got to find what you love, love what you do,” he said. “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Find something that you love and then find a way to make money doing it, and then work your butt off.” He also emphasizes preparation. “Learn as much as possible about your area, whether it’s a product, a service, whatever it is. Learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible.”
As Crown Juhl Travel grows, Derek continues to seek new clients while building on the foundation he created. For him, the business represents both independence and connection. “I wanted to be my own boss and do what I wanted to do independently,” he said. “Now I get to do that while helping people create memories that last a lifetime.”