When I first started in business, I was overloaded with information. So many companies and which way did I want to go. So many organizations, which one did I want to be a part of.
I decided to get into travel after I
moved to PA with two kids from a divorce and left NJ. I used to drive back and forth to NJ for my son’s school. I saw a tour guide sign and decided to sell timeshares.
I had done different things before that. I had an Accounting background and I used to do insurance and when I met my husband, he was in Accounting and runs four Liberty Tax offices. I do help him do payroll and scheduling for all the offices still.
But I love to travel. I wanted to build a successful travel business. I have visited: 70% of the Caribbean, 50% of USA, Scotland, England, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Transitioning from those years in timeshare to my current business made sense. Timeshares had other tours going on and I couldn’t control that. I wanted to do something I loved. I looked into companies that were a franchise which focused on travel.
I wanted to do something I loved.
I started out with Uniglobe and it had a mentorship program. I used other people’s expertise and that took the overwhelm out. It gave me a road map to work with. From business plans to marketing to other valuable tools, there was a structure and it was helpful to learn from people who have done the system already. We helped each other learn and grow. Trying to survive on your own is a a very hard road.
Trying to survive on your own is a a very hard road.
Even though things are going smoothly now, my journey was rough for a bit. At one point it seemed like everything went extremely wrong: my car broke down, a deer jumped on my car, a dump truck dropped a rock on my car. I was going to a barn and my tire got a flat. The house I was in, they gave me notice that I was going to have to look for another place. I just wanted to quit and I didn’t want to get up in the morning because I was afraid something else would happen. Leaving my ex-husband when my kids were 2 and 4, with a bag full clothes, was easier than that year.
Another time, I was dealing with a client who continuously wasn't happy with the way things were done. She would always come back for more service but also would continually complain and I would have to go back and forth with vendors. She continually wanted to change her travel plans. She was rude. She found something wrong with everything. It almost seemed like she would complain over and over to get upgrades. Eventually I had to make a decision for my own stress levels and integrity. I let her go as a client. Nobody needs that type of negativity, it’s not worth it. Not all clients are the right ones for you. You have to select people who will be good for your state of mind and confidence. After I let her go, I got more clients. It was if by doing the right thing for myself, I was rewarded.
Although I experience wins and successes, I still have to overcome obstacles. During the pandemic, it was a brutal change. I had to cancel a trip to Africa. Refunds and credits were a disaster. I was falling apart every single day. I was going to a support group to get help and mentally uplift myself. I felt so alone and when I would talk to other people in business, I would realize I'm not the only one having those types of problems.
I felt so alone and when I would talk to other people in business, I would realize I'm not the only one having those types of problems.
I took the opportunity (during the pandemic) to do more training and get certified as a rep and Cruise Host. I learned more about my business and my market. I learned how to utilize tools in my toolbox.
So, after Covid, my goal was to double my bookings and I achieved it!
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