Masters in Travel: Recent Episodes
Whitney Shindelar and Brianna Glenn
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How did the most successful travel advisors grow their business and what advice do they have for those newer to the industry? What can we learn from professionals outside the travel industry? How can travel advisors best approach their businesses as an entrepreneur?
The travel industry is filled with successful advisors, each of whom are finding success in different ways. Each week, I’ll be interviewing travel advisors at all points in their businesses so that you can learn from your peers as well as from leaders in the industry. We’ll also welcome guests outside the travel industry to provide a new perspective on running a small, service based business and who will push us to grow and to think bigger.
Masters in Travel is for travel advisors who are ready to accelerate their success. Subscribe now and tune in each week for advice, insights, and resources to maximize your potential.
Search is changing faster than ever—and it’s not just about Google anymore. As AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity reshape how travelers look for information, the rules of online visibility are shifting. In this conversation, Brianna Glenn and SEO strategist Meg Clarke of Clapping Dog Media break down what travel advisors need to know to stay discoverable. From optimizing for engagement and authority to showing up consistently across platforms, Meg shares practical steps to help you stand out in the age of AI search.
Learn more about Meg: https://clappingdogmedia.com/
This week, we are previewing an episode from newly launched The Hivemind Podcast. For more episodes like this, add it to your weekly podcast roundup (new episodes release on Thursdays.)
Seville embodies what travelers imagine when they think of ‘classic Spain’—flamenco, tapas, Moorish palaces, and lively plazas. Sam Lister, Founder & CEO at Tailormade, shares why this southern city is both a cultural icon and a versatile base for travel advisors planning Spain. From must-sees like the Cathedral and Alcázar to unique experiences like flamenco jam sessions, tapas in local barrios, and art restoration studios, Sevilla offers something for every client profile. Learn how to structure itineraries, when to avoid the summer heat, and why 4–5 nights in Seville unlock both the city and its rich day-trip options, from Córdoba to Ronda, Cádiz, and jamón farms.
Learn more at: https://www.thehive.travel/podcast-posts/the-essentials-seville
In this episode, Whitney sits down with Jeremy Sulek—CEO/Owner of Jetset World Travel and founder of Brava—to unpack a new, advisor-first approach to commissions. Brava aims to decouple commission payments from host agencies so advisors can own their bookings, get paid faster, and give suppliers clear visibility into which advisors are actually driving sales. They discuss why the current agency-centered system creates misaligned incentives, and how shifting to advisor ownership unlocks flexibility, transparency, and growth.
Many travel advisors hit a stage where their business is running, clients are happy, and revenue looks strong — but behind the scenes, it still feels harder than it should. In this solo episode, Brianna shares the three clear signs that you’ve outgrown your current business model and offers quick, practical wins to help you step into the next phase of growth. From recognizing when you’re the bottleneck, to patching hidden leaks in your workflows, to aligning your marketing with the business you’re really running, this episode is designed to help you lighten the load and reclaim your role as CEO.
When your calendar is full but your goals are bigger, something has to change. In this candid conversation, Ali Raymer (Picture This Travel) shares how she scaled from solo advisor to leading a 6-person team—owning mistakes, codifying training, and letting go of control to protect life outside of work. Expect practical frameworks, real client-experience lessons, and permission to build the support you need to grow sustainably.
And we're back with newly recorded content! Picking up with a Shop Talk check in. We unpack the difference between trip operations and business operations, how project tools like Asana and ClickUp can run an entire agency, and why protecting client data with clear roles is non-negotiable. Plus: Brianna shares fresh takeaways from the Biz Huddle conference and strategies to make your content more discoverable in the AI era.
In this second episode of our 4-part client experience series, we explore five top areas of business that impact any client's experience working with you: service offering, aesthetics, communication, systems, and attracting new clients. Do a self-audit on your travel business with this episode, and hear our experiences and advice as you consider these vital parts of your business and how to improve each of them.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
Today premiers the first episode of our 4-part Client Experience Series! Join us as we explore all the ins and outs of creating a memorable, signature client experience. This week, we are talking about how your brand experience impacts the client experience more than you may realize. Learn to define your business purpose, gauge a client's expectations, and create memorable memories from the first moment the learn about you to the post-trip check-in.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
Join Brianna as she chats with Megan Vatnsdal, the passionate entrepreneur behind Onyx and Evergreen Travel, to discuss the ins and outs of attracting new clients and crafting value in our sometimes competitive industry. They explore marketing, but with a twist – how to use events as a way to showcase your value and serve as a catalyst for travel business growth. Plus, they also chat about mentorship, networking, and growing into your entrepreneurial mindset.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
Love travel and planning it, but hate the sales part? In this episode, Brianna and guest Glenda from The Art of Selling Travel delve into the art of sales and client relations. Glenda shares her seasoned approach to pricing negotiations and reframing rejection, all while maintaining an authentic human connection. She provides invaluable insights on asking the right questions and building rapport that help build connections with clients. Through this candid discussion and personal stories, they unravel the complexities of selling travel experiences, advocating the power of conversation over assumption.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
Host agencies...how do you find the right fit for you? Whitney delves into this world with special guest Steph Lee, the founder of Host Agency Reviews. They discuss the importance of transparency in the travel industry, the challenges and opportunities that come with reviewing host agencies, and tips for travel advisors on switching host entities. Steph shares her personal journey from managing a host agency to creating a vital industry resource that helps travel professionals make informed decisions based on honest reviews and comprehensive directories.
Get Brianna's free "Branding Your First Impression" webinar: https://mastersintravel.myflodesk.com/dmyliai2lk
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
Is there a certain part of the world that tugs at your heart strings? If you want to learn more about developing a travel planning niche, this is the episode for you! Brianna chats with Lori Gold, the travel savant behind Mexperts, who has built an impressive career curating personalized trips in the Mexican Caribbean AND as an expert advisor with resources to share. Lori shares her evolution from a generalist travel agent to a specialized advisor, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how her love for the Mexican Caribbean fueled her niche expertise. From this discussion, you'll gain insights on the importance of passion in your work, the possibility of becoming an expert that can support other advisors, and how your career can take unexpected turns.
In this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney dives into the art of marketing with the experienced Kaytee Fisher, founder of Moxie & Fourth, and guru about all things email marketing for travel advisors. They dissect the strategic layers of marketing: the importance of understanding your target audience, the value of consistency, and tools and tricks for upping engagement. Plus, Kaytee shares her insights on the balance between using various marketing platforms and concentrating on a few that yield the highest ROI. Whether you are just starting as a new advisor and need the basics, or are a seasoned advisor who needs some marketing fine-tuning, this episode has insights for you!
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
In this insightful episode, Brianna and special guest Kate Sullivan peel back the curtain on the concept of self-fam trips in the travel advisory world. From their personal experiences to the nuances of independent hotel site inspections and strategic relationship building, they offer a deep dive into the professional benefits and challenges of self-organizing familiarization trips. Plus, they discuss the intricacies of planning, executing, and capitalizing on these experiences to enhance their service offerings and bolster their expertise in the luxury travel market.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
On today's episode, Whitney is joined by Jen Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International, to talk about a valuable asset for any travel business: client reviews. Get tips on how to ask for reviews and maximize their potential for attracting future clients. Whitney and Jen talk about how to prompt clients to leave detailed reviews, how to respond to positive and negative reviews, and how to creatively leverage views on your online presence.
*For the next few weeks, enjoy replays of listener favorite episodes that were previously behind a paywall. We will be back soon with newly-recorded content.
In this candid Shop Talk episode, Brianna joins from Costa Rica, where she’s spending a month on a “sabbatical-ish”—a slower pace of work made possible by years of intentional business design. She and Whitney unpack what it really takes to step away from the day-to-day without compromising client experience. They discuss shifting from task-based delegation to outcome-based leadership, building a team culture rooted in ownership and empowerment, and redefining success beyond revenue. Plus, they reflect on the personal and professional growth required to truly let go and why they’ve decided to sunset the Advisor Accelerator after five impactful years.
Representation companies are often misunderstood, but they’re one of the most valuable allies a travel advisor can have. In this episode, Whitney and Natalia Aldacour-La Borie of TL Portfolio demystify the role of representation companies, explain why advisors should rely on them more often, and share how these partnerships elevate client experiences and advisor businesses alike.
Takeaways:
- How reps act as liaisons between advisors and suppliers and why that connection matters
- The visibility and consistency in the market that reps provide for suppliers
- Why advisors should loop in their reps early and often when working with suppliers
- How reps can support marketing efforts and supplier education
In this episode, Whitney talks with Kaleigh Kirkpatrick and Julie Jamgochian from Shameless Tourist about how they’re reimagining travel advising through AI. Instead of just dabbling, they’ve fully embraced AI tools—from itinerary review bots to inbox systems and trained ChatGPT models that write like them. They discuss what’s working, what’s not quite there yet, and how curiosity fuels their innovation.
Takeaways:
- Why dedicating team resources to AI research has paid off for their business
- How ChatGPT is integrated into marketing, emails, and itinerary reviews
- The tools they’re testing now—from AI concierges to real-time rate trackers
- How AI can enhance personalization and efficiency without compromising quality
This episode dives into the critical (but often misunderstood) differences between training, coaching, and mentoring in the travel industry. Jeremy Seulich and Whitney unpack why using the wrong term can lead to misaligned expectations, and how understanding each role can help travel advisors find the exact support they need to grow. From the relational roots of mentorship to the goal-driven power of coaching, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone building a career in travel.
This month’s Shop Talk is a masterclass in both luxury travel and operational resilience. Brianna recaps her epic Emirates first-class experience—secured via a flurry of points and last-minute magic—while Whitney walks us through losing both her employees in five weeks, onboarding overseas hires, and simplifying systems without skipping a beat. If you’re navigating growth, hiring, or unexpected transition, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
In this conversation on DMCs, Whitney flips the script and chats with Hicham Mhammedi Alaoui, co-founder of Experience Morocco and The Travel Collection, to shine a light on the DMC side of working with travel advisors. They unpack how DMCs can create unique and memorable experiences without breaking the bank, how global expansion works behind the scenes, and what travel advisors should know to build successful partnerships. Hicham shares candid advice on communication, budgets, and the ever-evolving landscape of destination management, offering invaluable insights for both new and seasoned travel entrepreneurs.
Brianna welcomes Sahara Rose Devore, founder of the Travel Coach Network, to discuss the power of using personal stories and deeper purpose in building a thriving travel business. They explore how travel professionals can differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace by tapping into their personal “why,” connecting more meaningfully with clients, and combining coaching principles with traditional travel advising. Sahara shares about her transformative journey from solo traveler to industry innovator, giving practical tips for business owners seeking more authenticity and alignment in both their marketing and client relationships.
How can you talk about hotels in a way that inspires and informs your clients? Joining Whitney this week is Madeline Steuber to shine a spotlight on the art of hotel and experience recommendations in the travel industry. Fresh from a FAM trip to Cape Town, they discuss the pitfalls of using superlatives (“the best hotel,” “must stay”) without context, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful, client-centered matching. And they dive into differentiating between luxury properties, understanding client priorities, and asking better discovery questions to ensure every traveler is matched with their ideal stay—not just “the best” one.
Pull back the curtain on a Master Hour inside the Advisor Accelerator, where Sarah Williams of Rebel Office Inc and the host of IT'S A VIBE Podcast joins us to talk about client experience! We dive into topics like client retention, the art of client onboarding/offboarding, and the power of nurturing long-term relationships with clients. Plus, we cover nuanced topics like how to create personalized touch-points that strike a balance between professional boundaries and friendly engagement + incentivizing referrals in a way that feels authentic rather than transactional. (This is a replay episode that originally aired in April 2024)
Shop Talk is where we talk about what is going on in our travel businesses, getting honest about the day to day and big picture successes and struggles. Brianna shares her transformative experience at a mastermind retreat, discussing both the energizing connections and the personal growth challenges she faced. Whitney recaps her recent travels—from Italian food explorations to her first-hand experience planning travel in Japan—highlighting the lessons learned when stepping outside comfort zones, both professionally and personally. As always, we have reflections & advice for travel advisors, and reminders to celebrate wins and learn from challenges along the journey.
Brianna dives deep into 'client experience', highlighting how creating a memorable and seamless experience for clients is not just about logistics and beautiful locations, but about how clients feel throughout their journey working with you. Tune in for insights and practical strategies to enhance client experience, drawing from Brianna's near decade of running a travel business. She breaks down the process into three key pillars: thoughtful communication, seamless logistics, and personal touches. Tune in for actionable tips to elevate client connections and ensure repeat business.
Making the leap from a corporate job to full-time travel advisor is a courageous and scary decision, and here to share her story about making the leap is Julia Asselin of The Itinerary Girls. Tune in to hear about her personal journey of balancing her burgeoning travel business while working a full-time job and the eventual leap to becoming a full-time entrepreneur. The conversation provides valuable insights into branding, marketing strategies, and building a clientele in the oversaturated travel industry. If you are contemplating a similar decision, Julia's story serves as inspiration to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.
Joining us on Masters in Travel is Lindsey Epperly, founder and former CEO of Jet Set World Travel, to chat with Whitney about "the future"—the future of our businesses, our futures as entrepreneurs, and our legacies. They dive into the topics like transitioning roles, the fears and realities of one day stepping down or shifting roles, and the introspective work required to make significant business changes. Whether you are afraid to think about future changes or you embrace them with arms wide open, this conversation sheds light on a path towards growth in unexpected directions.
Ever come home from a trip with hundreds of photos and videos, only to struggle with actually using them to create marketing content for your travel business? This week, we are replaying a past episode where Brianna and two other travel advisors – Julie Patterson and Kate Sullivan – talk about the nuances of crafting content for your business even while traveling. They cover the creative process, importance of authenticity, and practical tips that will help get your photos out of an album and out into the world.
This episode is brought to you by Lucia – find vetted freelancers to support your travel business. Learn more at letslucia.com.
You own a travel business...but does your marketing showcase "travel influencer"? In this episode, Brianna dives into the balance of inspiration and advising with marketing content for a travel business. She talks elevating a business by effectively navigating the buyer’s journey, and strategically using storytelling alongside strategic marketing. From leveraging your own travel experiences to client testimonials, Brianna provides actionable steps for travel entrepreneurs to transform engaging content into bookings, moving audiences seamlessly from dreaming about travel to actually doing it.
This episode is brought to you by Lucia – find vetted freelancers to support your travel business. Learn more at letslucia.com
In this episode of Masters in Travel, Lisa Taub joins Brianna to explore the intricacies of building meaningful relationships with travel clients by understanding clients' deeper motivations and needs and communicating effectively. They talk about how consultation calls can be transformed into powerful relationship-building tools, sharing strategies on how to conduct them in a way that ensures clients feel seen and heard. With a background in consumer and market research, Lisa brings an expertise to the discussion that any travel advisor can learn from!
This episode is brought to you by Lucia – find vetted freelancers to support your travel business. Learn more at letslucia.com
In classic Shop Talk style, this week Whitney & Brianna delve into sharing about their personal and professional journeys as travel entrepreneurs. Brianna shares about her decision to join a high-level mastermind and the importance of aligning business growth with personal peace and fulfillment. Plus, Whitney spills the tea on her recent transformative trip to South Africa, highlighting its impact on her marketing strategy and client engagement. For some inspiration on investing in one's self and travel business, the importance of setting intentional goals, and how to utilize travel experiences for strategic business development...tune in!
Learn more about Lucia at www.letslucia.com
How can travel advisors create partnerships with DMCs that feel more like collaborations and less like transactions? Joining Whitney for Part 2 of a two-part convo are seasoned travel advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter to explore the intricacies of working with DMCs. They talk about the role DMCs play in the travel industry, especially in crafting experiences that go beyond the traditional "greatest hits." And they share tips on effective communication with DMCs, the benefits of using technology and collaborative platforms,. and pursuing transparency that builds trust with both the DMC partner and clients.
Sometimes you love them, sometimes they drive you crazy...this week, we're talking all about Destination Management Companies (DMCs)! Seasoned advisor Kate Sullivan and newer advisor Anna Tretter join Whitney to share their personal experiences, frustrations, and strategies when working with DMCs. Plus, they talk about the importance of transparency, effective communication, and how to build strong partnerships with DMCs to enhance client experiences. This is Part 1 of a two part conversation!
Join Brianna this week for another solo episode where she breaks down her favorite topic for travel advisors – branding! She breaks down with examples how to incorporate your mission/vision/values into your brand. Plus, she illustrates how to pinpoint a unique selling proposition (USP) and the foundational elements that shape and differentiate travel brands. With practical advice on visual and verbal branding and the importance of consistency, the episode empowers travel entrepreneurs to craft recognizable and memorable brands that attract ideal clients and foster business growth.
Tune in as Brianna chats with a successful travel advisor and founder of the Biz Huddle, Courtney Nichols, in this week's inspiring, "I can achieve anything!" episode. Together, they delve into the art of breaking through barriers to build a sustainable and thriving travel business. Courtney shares her unique insights into dreaming bigger, overcoming industry norms, and thinking outside the box. This conversation is filled with practical strategies (like working backward from a revenue goal through the steps to achieve it) and mindset shift inspiration that empower travel advisors to grow with intention and purpose.
In our first Shop Talk of 2025, we (Whitney & Brianna) bring back the tradition of opening up about what's going on in our travel businesses. There's some strategizing, some win-sharing, and a little venting, too. We delve into ongoing branding and marketing strategies that are working and that aren't, like Brianna's experience with a new marketing hire and Whitney's evaluation of her brand authenticity. Plus, we share personal anecdotes and hot takes about popular travel destinations!
We're bringing back a favorite past episode that is full of insights, even for a second listen! You may be interested in being a travel advisor, but are you also interested in being an entrepreneur? Sometimes running a travel advisor business requires much more than just planning travel. You may have to ask yourself if you’d rather join a team to help with the workload, or go solo to control more of your business. On this episode, Whitney is joined by Korrine Johnson to dive into this big question, considering all of your options, and how to figure out what will work for your business.
Joining Whitney this week are two star travel business owners, Madeline Steuber & Kaleigh Kirkpatrick, to delve into the intricate balance between hiring independent contractors (ICs) and employees for business growth. The discussion covers the benefits and challenges of both models, the importance of mentorship, and practical strategies for managing and integrating diverse team structures. Each guest shares personal insights and experiences, offering invaluable advice for travel advisors aiming to expand their businesses effectively.
Welcome to 2025! We're doing something a little different by bringing you a solo episode featuring Brianna Glenn that explores "CEO-worthy goals" for travel advisors. We all make some sort of goals in our travel businesses, but are your goals "regular" goals or CEO-worthy one? AND, are they SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)? Get actionable tips and personal insights to help you reflect on the past year and set goals that will actually scale your travel business effectively this year.
That's a wrap to 2024! In this special Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney reflect on 2024 and look ahead at what the next year holds for their travel businesses, from ROI metrics to track with marketing to utilizing Google profile reviews for local business. Tune in to hear their strategies for adjusting target client demographics and fine-tuning business strategies from branding approach, marketing campaigns, and financial management.
Travel industry expert Lisa Fletcher has watched the industry evolve since the '80's when she first got into the business, and while it has evolved, her passion has remained the same: using email newsletters to connect with clients. Lisa shares her journey of writing "The Effortless Newsletter," offering practical tips on creating engaging content that fosters client relationships and highlights the importance of consistency. The episode explores alternative content creation methods, the role of AI, and poignant anecdotes that underscore the long-term benefits of committed marketing efforts.
Joining Brianna on the podcast again is Cynthia, the brand strategist who gave Masters in Travel our new look! Together, these two branding gurus delve into the essentials of effective strategies to truly connect with clients. Gain clarity on how to practically implement a marketing plan...and how that differs from develop a marketing strategy. Plus, Cynthia offers actionable advice on identifying your unique value proposition, the role of client experience in branding, and how to make the most of your marketing efforts without overspending.
What really goes on behind the scenes of a travel business? Find out in Shop Talk! This week we spill the tea on past and upcoming FAM trips and the art of balancing family, personal, and professional travel commitments. Get Whitney's tips on taking personal time while traveling with children & hear how many books Brianna read on her last FAM! Plus, we talk about using AI tools for content creation, the work we are both doing with marketing professionals to tell our business stories, and KPIs we track to truly gauge if financial investments are moving the needle. Tune in for all this and more!
A travel industry favorite, Kaytee Fisher of Moxie and Forth, joins Whitney to share her marketing insights, having worked with many travel advisors to help move the marketing needle. In this convo, hear her take on why personalized experiences are valued over cost-saving measures, the significance of niching down, and how consistent, authentic content can build deep connections and trust with consumers. Plus, Kaytee shares insights on balancing promotional content with storytelling, the effectiveness of personal branding, and practical tips for creating engaging newsletters.
In this milestone episode (200 episodes later...wow!), Brianna chats with Valerie Merut, founder of social media marketing agency Cerita, to explore the vital role of storytelling in social media for travel businesses. Valerie shares her expert insights on building relationships and trust over time through authentic, personal content that truly invites your clients into a story. Learn about strategic social media planning, the significance of engagement over follower count, and practical tips for creating impactful and relatable content.
Remember when AI wasn't a part of our daily lives? How quicklly things can change, but that doesn't have to be a scary thing! Join Whitney as she chats with Emily Kessler, the communications specialist at Gifted Travel Network, about the transformative potential of AI tools for travel businesses. Learn from the expert about how AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Toby AI can streamline tasks and improve communication quality. Plus, learn practical applications for integrating AI into your workflows to achieve greater efficiency and impact. Whether artificial intelligence scares or excites you, this episode will give you insights about how to use these tools for your benefit.
We're getting closer to the end of the year, which means that even though inquires are slower right now, travel advisors are preparing to ramp up in 2025. In this episode, Whitney and Brianna share about their current journeys to reach more clients in 2025, brainstorming various marketing strategies like targeting certain destinations through content and utilizing quizes on websites to engage visitors. This candid convo also touches on financial planning, client engagement strategies, and the value of team experiences in boosting employee retention and business growth.
Let's talk about FAMs! Brianna is joined by her agency team, Kelsey and Ellen, to debrief their recent self-FAM trip to Peru. Gain some colorful insights into this experience, plus the team shares why self-FAMs are key to a travel advisor's success. Plus, hear how the experience helped benefit their team personally and professionally, and the special moments that help them grow stronger as a company. So whether you're a solo advisor or part of a growing team, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the value of self-FAMs and how they can transform your business.
What questions are travel advisors asking their clients to build loyalty and plan unforgettable travel experiences? Back by popular demand, Sandy Saburn of Gifted Travel Network shares her insights about the questions she hears all too often...and the questions too few advisors are asking. Insights from this conversation will help any advisor improve their communication with clients and set up the foundation to see steady, predictable business growth.
What is AI's role in the travel advising industry, and what are today's travelers actually looking for? Oh, and how can travel agency owners truly elevate themselves and the industry to a level of respect and professionalism that matches those of other industries? In this episode, Jenn Lee joins Whitney to dive into these BIG questions! They talk about how AI is revolutionizing marketing, client communication, content creation, and more...and how it can help you, not hurt you. Plus, they explore what clients are actually hoping for when they book with a travel advisor and how you can elevate your business as a legimitate service provider.
It's a topic many travel business owners can't get off their minds – hiring. This week, Grace Van Hollebeke of Lucia joins Whitney to talk about how to find the right fit for your team, delegate, train, and continue to fit employees and ICs into the right parts of your workflows. So whether you have hired and looking to improve your team workflows, or are thinking about finding help, this episode gives actionable insights to guide any travel business owner.
On this week's episode of Shop Talk, we are covering a variety of topics – quiet months in business, handling difficult conversations with supplier partners, and communicating to skeptical clients about our planning fees. Plus, Whitney fills us in on her journey of embracing a business rebrand and trying to attract new clients. And Brianna's plans for her team FAM to Peru is that does or travel inspiration that reminds us why we are in this industry to begin with.
This week on the podcast, we're covering a favorite topic at Masters in Travel – mentorship! Mentor and mentee Margaret Haas and Brittany Pigorini join Brianna to talk about their experiences on both sides of the mentorship relationship. But if you think that mentorship is just one travel advisor teling another how to build a business, think again. Margaret and Brittany shed light on the intricacies of a mentorship that helps a newer travel advisor build a business vs. copy one. Tune in to hear more about each of these advisors' personal journeys to career success and how walking alongside a colleague made all the difference.
"If you aren't working hard, you're hardly working." Heard this before? On today's episode, Brianna is joined by Marcie Muensterman, a seasoned travel advisor, to talk about why this old adage doesn't have to be true for travel advisors. Hear about how Marcie shifted from a hustle-driven career to a balanced, profitable business model. She shares her strategic insights on the math behind business decisions, how to work fewer hours and still deliver top-notch results, and maintaining boundaries. So, if you're craving some reclaimed time and less hustle, tune in!
Join us to hear a special airing of a special event hosted by The Hive, featuring a conversation about the intricacies of curating personalized cruise itineraries for clients. Cruise experts Carol and Korrine walked us through various strategies to up-level your cruise planning. They share about knowing client psychographics, leveraging various tools for efficient search and organization, how to educate yourself about various cruise lines, and a nitty gritty comparison of various cruise experiences. This episode encapsulates everything you need to know to better serve your clients in the world of cruising.
We're back with another episode of Shop Talk, the conversations where we don't hold anything back and share transparently what is going on right now in our travel businesses. Whitney shares about her ambitious goal to double her business in the next two years and the uncertainties she is facing right now. And Brianna updates us on her ongoing website refresh and reflects on her successful sabbatical in Portugal, sharing insights on managing business operations remotely. Finally, we talk about the importance of understanding the "why" behind various business goals and how to retain the excitement during each stage in business.
Building a book of business from scratch, regardless of how you do it, is a big feat. Most commonly, travel advisors start off by diving into their personal network to find their first clients. On this episode, Kim and Haleigh share their unique stories of networking as a launching pad in building their travel businesses. Learn about the journey from accepting any business to setting boundaries, how to tap into a corporate background, and building trust no matter who your clients are.
When a new inquiry comes in, how do you approach it? In today's episode, Jeremy Sulek of Jetset World Travel shares his less conventional approach to handling every inquiry and effectively booking clients. If you cautiously vet potential clients when inquiries come in, expecting them to prove that they are worth your time and energy, Jeremy will challenge your mindset. Learn how to maintain a positive outward posture, even with potentially unsuitable clients. Plus, learn strategies for restructuring qualification processes and approaching your travel business with a business mindset.
We're all in this industry for the travel, but achieving financial freedom is an (attainable) goal that many travel advisors have! Join Brianna as she chats with Stephanie Cannon, a licensed CPA and small business accountant who specializes in helping travel advisors achieve higher profits without needing a finance or accounting degree. Dive into financial planning, expense management, profitability misconceptions, and strategic decision-making to foster business growth in the travel industry.
How can you utilize the world's most powerful search engine to spread word about your business and attract ideal clients? Join us for this informative conversation with Lee Friedman and Denise Kubica, who both share their unconventional strategies for building their travel businesses by leveraging Google reviews, blogging, and SEO. Tune in for fresh ideas from these seasoned advisors!
Personalization is the key to success when it comes to your client experience. So, how do you curate a personalized selection of hotels to share with your clients when planning a new trip? Tune in to learn from three top travel advisors (Whitney Shindelar, Julia Matheson and Kate Sullivan), all self-proclaimed hotel lovers, on how they select hotels to include in proposals and how they present them to clients. This episode was a free webinar hosted by The Hive – if you want to learn more about how to transfer these skills to The Hive, visit thehive.travel/eventdemos to see a free demonstration!
Peel back the curtain on a Master Hour member call inside the Advisor Accelerator! Join us as Victoria of BrandWell Designs leads us in a session about brand differentiation and how to leverage your brand to stand out in a saturated market. Victoria and her team have designed more than a thousand brands and websites over the last several years, so you'll definitely want to tune in to learn from her extensive expertise!
And we're back with Part 2 of how to create content while traveling! By popular request, we invite back Kate Sullivan and Julie Patterson for this practical discussion that any travel advisor will find useful. We delve deep into marketing strategies, ROI measurements, the importance of authenticity, and balancing content creation with being present in the moment. From pre-trip planning to post-trip posts, Brianna and guests share their personal experiences and practical tips for maximizing engagement and brand visibility while staying true to their unique perspectives and client needs.
We asked listeners on our Instagram what topics you want to hear on the podcast, and the topic of "incentive travel" was one. So today, Brittney Tromanhauser of Avery Travel Group shares about her journey as a corporate incentive travel specialist. She discusses the transition from leisure travel to focusing on corporate group travel and the ins and outs of that sector.
Looking to build or shift a travel business into the luxury travel market? Join Brianna and guest Becky Lukovic for a conversation about the intricacies of providing luxury travel services, from catering to discerning clients, ensuring superior service, and doing the research to take you to this level.
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Do you ever find finance-related conversations to be dry and not very inspiring? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at an Advisor Accelerator Master hour call – we welcome Travis Shelton, an executive financial coach and host of the Meaning Over Money podcast, to help us find the meaning behind the work we do and the $ we bring in. We talk abut the challenges faced by small business owners in the travel industry, balancing financial stability with passion, and defining personal success in unconventional ways.
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In this exciting roundtable episode, we welcome three incredible travel advisors: Haleigh, Lina, and Ashley, all members of the Advisor Accelerator. Our onversation delves into the unique value of being part of a supportive, peer-to-peer community designed for travel advisors. And each guest shares how they have grown their businesses while being part of a collaborative, diverse learning space like the Advisor Accelerator. (Sneak peak: Haleigh hired someone and can't imagine 6 months ago before she did, Ashley revamped her business approach, and Lina transitioned to travel planning full time over a year before she anticipated.) Tune in for more inspirational stories!
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You asked, we're answering! We put out a question: "What do you want to know about client experience?" and listeners really challenged us with some great questions. How to level up the pre-travel experience, how to request feedback from clients effectively, and tips for surprising and delighting clients that have worked for us...this are just some of the topics we cover today.
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In our third Client Experience series episode, we delve into the intricacies of communication and systems in the four phases of the trip design process. Learn what those four phases of trip design are and how client communication will change in each phase, Plus, get our tips for tools and systems to streamline and support each phase of trip design so that you can truly master the most important part of travel advisor work. Plus, we are hosting a free masterclass – learn more about it!
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In this second episode of our 4-part client experience series, we explore five top areas of business that impact any client's experience working with you: service offering, aesthetics, communication, systems, and attracting new clients. Do a self-audit on your travel business with this episode, and hear our experiences and advice as you consider these vital parts of your business and how to improve each of them.
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Today premiers the first episode of our 4-part Client Experience Series! Join us as we explore all the ins and outs of creating a memorable, signature client experience. This week, we are talking about how your brand experience impacts the client experience more than you may realize. Learn to define your business purpose, gauge a client's expectations, and create memorable memories from the first moment the learn about you to the post-trip check-in.
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Will artificial intelligence replace travel advisors? David Shull of Tern Travel shares insights on how AI can aid, not hurt, the travel industry. Gain insights about the challenges travel advisors face and how AI can optimize workflows, personalize services, and transform the way travel advisors manage data and engage with their clientele. Learn more about the opportunities that AI brings to the travel industry, along with how the human touch remains irreplaceable.
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How do you know when to hire? In this episode, Whitney is joined by Madeline and Kristen from Steuber Travel Group to explore the intricacies of team expansion. They chat about setting financial goals, the benefits and challenges of having a hybrid team structure, the importance of job role clarity, and the impact of strategic hiring on operational efficiency and sales growth.
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Welcome back to Shop Talk, where Brianna and Whitney share about what is going on in their businesses right now. This week they delve into the dynamics of team workflow efficiency and delegation, particularly the transition from task delegation to autonomy in decision-making. Brianna shares about how she handled unforeseen travel incidents, and Whitney is systematizing responses to enhance client communication Lastly, they talk about why they dropped the podcast paywall and the bigger picture for Masters in Travel moving forward! (Oh, and there’s a little bit of healthy venting about problematic clients…we know you know).
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Is there a difference between treating your work as a travel advisor like a hobby and a business? In this episode, Brianna and guest Sandy Saburn dive into what it means to be a successful professional in the travel industry. Hear their seasoned insights on how to have an entrepreneurial mindset, effective marketing strategies, and the importance of understanding the numbers that drive a profitable travel business.
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Join Brianna as she chats with Megan Vatnsdal, the passionate entrepreneur behind Onyx and Evergreen Travel, to discuss the ins and outs of attracting new clients and crafting value in our sometimes competitive industry. They explore marketing, but with a twist – how to use events as a way to showcase your value and serve as a catalyst for travel business growth. Plus, they also chat about mentorship, networking, and growing into your entrepreneurial mindset.
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It's time for Shop Talk, where Brianna and Whitney talk about what is going on in their businesses right now. Whitney is preparing for maternity leave, and both she and Brianna are thinking about how to work with their teams to achieve proactive client management and nurturing client relationships. Plus, they chat about their individual strides toward aligning marketing efforts with business goals to continue attracting their ideal clientele.
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Pull back the curtain on a Master Hour inside the Advisor Accelerator, where Sarah Williams of Rebel Office Inc and the host of IT'S A VIBE Podcast joins us to talk about client experience! We dive into topics like client retention, the art of client onboarding/offboarding, and the power of nurturing long-term relationships with clients. Plus, we cover nuanced topics like how to create personalized touch-points that strike a balance between professional boundaries and friendly engagement + incentivizing referrals in a way that feels authentic rather than transactional.
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Ever come home from a trip with hundreds of photos and videos, only to struggle with actually using them to create marketing content for your travel business? On this week's episode, Brianna (Masters in Travel's queen of social media!) is joined by two other travel advisors – Julie Patterson and Kate Sullivan – to talk about the nuances of crafting content for your business even while traveling. They cover the creative process, importance of authenticity, and practical tips that will help get your photos out of an album and out into the world.
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Join Brianna and guest Erica Carr for a conversation on their innovative approaches to scaling a travel business with an employee model, from implementing unique incentive programs to understanding the evolving roles within a travel agency. They delve into the significance of hiring ahead of growth, the shift in industry norms post-Covid, and the vital role of technology in adapting to change. Plus, they share their personal experiences in assembling teams that complement their strengths and drive business success, highlighting the balance between independent contractors and employees, the value of understanding employee motivations, and strategic hiring decisions that prioritize team dynamics and client satisfaction.
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Is there a certain part of the world that tugs at your heart strings? If you want to learn more about developing a travel planning niche, this is the episode for you! Brianna chats with Lori Gold, the travel savant behind Mexperts, who has built an impressive career curating personalized trips in the Mexican Caribbean AND as an expert advisor with resources to share. Lori shares her evolution from a generalist travel agent to a specialized advisor, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how her love for the Mexican Caribbean fueled her niche expertise. From this discussion, you'll gain insights on the importance of passion in your work, the possibility of becoming an expert that can support other advisors, and how your career can take unexpected turns.
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Happy New Year! In this episode of the Masters in Travel podcast, Whitney and Brianna discuss their end-of-year reflections and goals for the upcoming year. Get tips on the importance of journaling and reflecting on client feedback, plus hear their experiences with time-consuming tasks and the need to delegate or eliminate them. Lastly, they talk about the significance of setting goals and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. Start your new year off strong with this informative episode!
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Are you using Linkedin for your travel business? In this episode of the Masters in Travel Podcast, guest Jenn Lee joins Whitney to discuss the untapped potential of LinkedIn for travel advisors. It's known as a social media and professional development marketing platform, but what other uses can Linkedin provide? We explore how LinkedIn can be used to build a personal brand, connect with potential clients and collaborators, and curate a unique content library. How can you use LinkedIn to attract the right audience and achieve specific business goals? Find out, plus more, in a conversation that will be useful for travel advisors in any level of business.
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We're all wrapping up 2023 and are ready to achieve new success and set goals for the new year! What better way to start 2024 than with a community of fellow travel advisors who provide a safe space to ask questions and receive honest answers? This is one reason amongst many why joining the Masters in Travel Advisor Accelerator is an investment you should consider! Whether you have been in business for years or are just starting out, our carefully curated calls will put you in "the room" with other advisors at your level of business. The Advisor Accelerator offers monthly calls on various topics, such as branding, marketing, client experience, systems, finances, and the entrepreneurial approach, plus other resources. So if you are ready to have a place where you can bring your questions, successes, pain points, and ideas and grow with peers, take a listen about how this membership is perfect for you!
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Welcome to Shop Talk, a new monthly series where we (Whitney and Brianna) chat about what’s going on in our businesses right now - what’s exciting and what’s challenging. In this first Shop Talk episode, we are discussing the importance of analyzing data in our travel businesses to track and analyze numbers to make informed decisions and set realistic goals. Whitney shares how she compiled and analyzed data from her trips in 2023, leading her to set new goals for 2024, such as increasing the number of trips and implementing a minimum spend requirement. We're also sharing our experiences with DMCs, challenge client relationships, and… we're hosting a free workshop! Get all the information in this episode.
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Whitney Shindelar and Brianna Glenn discuss the importance of collaboration and having a community of like-minded individuals in the Masters in Travel community and Think Tank. They mention the rebranding of the podcast and website, as well as the introduction of new segments like Shop Talk and the Advisor Accelerator. They emphasize the value of peer-to-peer conversations and the opportunity to learn from others in similar stages of business. They also highlight the new approach of having more nuanced and relevant discussions based on specific topics. The calls and discussions will be recorded for easy access to resources. Overall, they are excited about the growth and improvement in the community and the valuable resources they can provide to travel advisors.
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As your business grows, hiring support is something that you’ll likely hear stirring in conversations with colleagues and it will most likely be in the back of your mind as well. But we all know - hiring isn’t easy. It can feel scary for so many reasons - how do we hire? Can we afford to hire? How do we trust someone to come into our business and take over tasks we’ve always done ourselves? The list of questions and concerns go on and on… Join Brianna Glenn, owner of Milk + Honey Travels and I as we discuss our journey and learnings from building a team with employee support.
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Sandy Saburn, Chief Membership Officer at Gifted Travel Network, joins host Whitney on the Masters in Travel podcast to discuss the importance of technology for travel advisors. They address common misconceptions about technology in the industry and highlight the need for advisors to invest in the right tools from the beginning. They outline a tech stack that includes a research and knowledge tool, a CRM and workflow management system, a client outreach platform, an itinerary builder, and a money management tool. They emphasize the value of these tools in saving time and increasing efficiency, and discuss emerging trends in travel technology, such as interconnectivity between systems and the development of universal booking platforms. They also mention the frustration of having multiple logins for different bookings and express excitement about the possibility of a consolidated tool for all travel bookings. They believe that in two years, there will be better systems and platforms available to make booking more efficient and convenient for travel advisors.
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On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Mary Beth Lynn as she shares her journey of finding work-life balance and maximizing efficiency in the industry. With valuable insights on effective email management and the benefits of hiring an assistant, this episode is a must-listen for travel agents looking to take their business to new heights. Learn how to delegate with trust, batch emails for increased productivity, and prioritize tasks effectively. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain valuable tips and strategies and revolutionize your approach to the travel industry.
- Free Life Changing Assistants & Systems 101 Masterclass
- 10 Steps to Hiring An Assistant You Can Actually Afford (Free)
- Assistants That Work (Course)
- Fall 2023 Inbox Zero Challenge
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On this month’s special Master Hour episode of Masters in Travel, host Whitney Shindelar is joined by members of the community to dive deep into the world of hiring, training, and delegating in the travel industry. With valuable insights from industry professionals, they uncover the strategies and challenges faced by travel professionals in effectively nurturing and developing their employees. From creating tutorial videos to delegating tasks to virtual assistants, this podcast episode offers practical advice that can revolutionize the way travel professionals approach their business. If you're looking to streamline your processes, free up time for higher-value tasks, and drive business growth, this podcast is a must-listen.
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This week is a special episode with Masters in Travel host, Whitney Shindelar, interviewed by Emma Weissman, host of the Humans of Travel podcast and managing editor of TravelAge West magazine.
The Humans of Travel podcast features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. Past guests have included Valerie Wilson, Terry Dale, Shannon Stowell, Korrine Johnson, Vicki Freed and many others including!
You can find Humans of Travel wherever you listen to you podcasts. After tuning in to today’s episode, be sure to head to your favorite podcast platform to tune into past episodes and to subscribe to stay up to date on future episodes with Emma.
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On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, we are flipping the script. Our guest for this special episode is usually on the other side of the mic shining as the podcast host. Whitney Shindelar has been spending months dreaming about and developing The Hive. The Hive is an exciting new piece of technology for travel advisors. Join Brianna Glenn and Kate Sullivan as they interview Whitney and learn more about The Hive.
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On this Month’s Master Hour edition of the Masters in Travel Podcast, travel advisors from different backgrounds come together to share their experiences and insights on improving business practices for travel advisors. From building personal connections with clients to setting firm boundaries, the group discusses a range of challenges and shares practical tips on increasing repeat and referral business. Each advisor brings unique perspectives and strategies, making this podcast a must-listen for any travel advisor looking to improve their business and provide better experiences for their clients.
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On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, we are flipping the script. Our guest for this special episode is usually on the other side of the mic shining as the podcast host. Whitney Shindelar has been spending months dreaming about and developing The Hive. The Hive is an exciting new piece of technology for travel advisors. Join Brianna Glenn and Kate Sullivan as they interview Whitney and learn more about The Hive.
Whatever you're researching right now, the question that you can't find an answer to, it's on the Hive. The Hive is a platform that revolutionizes the way knowledge and insights are shared between travel advisors. It is all the information that you have and all the information that you want in one place.
Learn more and join the waitlist at thehive.travel. The platform will be open for advisors to join in June 2023!
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For professional travel advisors, the technology that we use is vital for running our day-to-day businesses well. We often don't know what's going on behind the scenes of these technologies. How did this company, tool, or idea get started? How do they decide what features to build next? On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, we learn about Lucia, a freelancer marketplace for travel. Whitney is joined by Grace McBride, the founder of Lucia, as Grace gives us the inside scoop into Lucia, where it came from, what it’s doing now, and where it’s headed in the future.
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As a beginning travel advisor, there’s so many thoughts, worries, fears, and insecurities surrounding how to actually make money in your business. Though some advisors dive in headfirst with no doubts at all, some still wonder to themselves, is this really going to work?
If you're listening today and you're currently in this position of worry and doubt, just know we see you and we're here to support you. We've all been through it. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by a longtime member of the Community and Think Tank and owner of Go Wander Travel Co., Lina Sutton. Lina has officially quit her job and is now a full-time travel advisor. Together Whitney and Lina share their journeys and how to navigate this worry and come through the other side as a stronger business owner.
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With the new year, the topic on everyone’s mind are setting goals for the new year. On this month’s Master Hour edition of the Masters in Travel Podcast, Whitney challenges the community to take concrete steps in creating a plan and goals for 2023. Whether you live and die by goal setting, whether you love it or it stresses you out, creating goals for your business can help to keep you and your business on track throughout the entire year.
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One of the most common metrics of success talked about in this industry is the goal for one advisor to generate 1 million dollars in sales. Everyone has different ideas of what it means to hit this goal, but no matter which way you think about this metric, it's no small feat. But should it be the milestone that we are all reaching for? And should it take on so much importance? On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by three incredible advisors that hit that 1 million goal in 2022. Our guests today are Ashley Theis, Owner of The Constant Wayfarer, Madeline Steuber, Co-Founder of Steuber Travel Group, and Lara Craig, of Come & See Travel. They’re here to share how they did it, what they learned along the way, and to give insights to advisors striving to achieve this goal.
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As a new advisor, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Familiarization trips, or FAMs, can be a big source of questions for beginning advisors. How do you receive an invitation to a FAM? How do you decide which to accept and which to politely decline? How do you prepare in advance? And when you get home, what comes next? On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney checks in with Julie Patterson, founder of Wanderfully Planned. This year, Julie has gone on three first-time FAMs and is here to report back on her experience, what she learned, and some exciting new projects she has in store.
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The technologies that we use regularly to help our business be efficient are incredible and most advisors couldn't live without them. Despite their uses, these technologies and systems don't actually help us to make important business decisions. We can form emotional attachments to those decisions, creating decision fatigue and exhaustion. On the 100th episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Korrine Johnson to finally find some solutions to this universal problem.
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On this episode of Masters in Travel, we’re continuing to dive deep into the tech that we know and love. Approach Guides is an incredible resource we have as travel advisors. Through it, advisors everywhere have the ability to share high quality content with travelers and enhance the client experience. To talk more about Approach Guides and what’s going on behind the scenes, Jennifer Raezer joins Whitney as they peek behind the curtain.
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When traveling, most things go smoothly and just as planned. Other times, there are minor hiccups, or small delays. But occasionally there are big challenges that arise during a client's trip. In these moments, what do we do as professional travel advisors? What can we do? What should we expect our supplier partners to help us with? On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Beth Bastian of Bastian World Travel and Julie Patterson of Wanderfully Planned. Together they share stories of when things went wrong, when things went better than expected, and how they got through each challenge.
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It’s very easy to look at someone successful and imagine they’re working on multiple projects and approaching their busy lives with grace and ease. Is there a secret? Or is there something different going on behind the scenes? On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Kate Thomas, Cofounder of Travel Pro Theory. Both Whitney and Kate are busy, successful women who seem to balance everything well. Listen in as they discuss their secrets and what’s actually going on behind the curtain.
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With the industry booming, burnout has been a hot topic lately. After realizing that the way you're feeling isn't sustainable, what comes next? How do you approach and fix this problem? For some, feelings of burnout lead to thoughts of leaving the industry, selling your business, or merging with another company for mutual support. To talk more about her experience in selling her business, Bailie White joins Whitney on today’s episode of Masters in Travel. Join in on the discussion as Bailie shares her thoughts and experiences during this journey.
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In this month's Master Hour edition of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Julie Patterson of Wanderfully Planned and Madeline Steuber of Steuber Travel Group. Listen in as they are joined by other members of the community and think-tank to tackle some great questions on how to run and grow your travel business.
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Mindset is a topic that we hear about in our personal lives and in our professional lives. It is a topic that lingers behind all decisions that we make, especially as an entrepreneur. If we asked ten people, or ten advisors, what mindset means to them we would get 10 different answers. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Lina Sutton and Danielle Gaerte. Three travel advisors talking about their experiences and their challenges in running a travel business and their mindset related to being an entrepreneur.
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You may be interested in being a travel advisor, but are you also interested in being an entrepreneur? Sometimes running a travel advisor business requires much more than just planning travel. You may have to ask yourself if you’d rather join a team to help with the workload, or go solo to control more of your business. On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Korrine Johnson to dive into this big question, considering all of your options, and how to figure out what will work for your business.
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Working with supplier partners can sometimes be risky. Even with consortia or host agency relationships, most of the time, we take a leap of faith. The conversation about who to work with, who is financially sound, and who is really taking care of their business behind the scenes, can often be a really hard question to answer. On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Marnie Brown, Founder of Trusted FIT Services. Marnie is here with a solution to this problem. Listen in as they discuss what Trusted FIT Services can do and how it’s changing the Travel Industry entirely.
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On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by three amazing advisors who are a major part of the Masters in Travel community and Think Tank to talk about the power of community. Being an entrepreneur can be isolating at times, and sometimes you need others to help you grow your business. It's about collaboration. It's about sharing ideas, inspiration, troubleshooting, and finding a better way than any of us could do alone. To share what community means to them, Kate Sullivan, Korrine Johnson, and Beth Bastian are the special guests on this exciting and inspirational episode.
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Introducing the Master Hour, a monthly coaching call for the Masters in Travel community and Think Tank where advisors can bring questions to a panel to discuss what's going on in their business right here and now. On this first episode of this very exciting discussion, Whitney is joined by Emily Steele of Love Local, and Korrine Johnson of Travel Biz Boss and Journeys Travel. These think tanks are a really great place to push, to challenge, and to really encourage all of us to step into our CEO role of our own businesses.
Questions asked during this month’s Master Hour:
- What is the hierarchy of organization when we're feeling overwhelmed? What should I be doing first when I'm also trying to manage a book of business that is admittedly too big?
- How is everyone presenting travel documents to clients?
- What is the number one way to move the financial needle? At the end of the year, when I look at my numbers, I realize that I didn’t make the money I thought I would make.
- What questions do you ask someone who is interested to join the travel industry and who you're considering offering a position as an IC within your organization?
- How to know when to say no and when to say yes to new inquiries when the end goal is to increase my total sales numbers?
- 99% of my business is comprised of repeat and referral clients, most of whom all live in the same community and who know each other personally. How do I say no to specific requests that are coming in from clients I've been working with for 15-20 years in a way that doesn't turn them off for future requests?
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In the journey of hiring an assistant and seeking out support for a growing business, there are many places you can look to get the help you need. One great way to find an assistant is through agencies, like Tailored Assistant Services, that train assistants to help in travel businesses. On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Tiffany Wade, CEO of Tailored Assistant Services. Together they talk about what it looks like to engage a service that provides assistance to travel advisors, some best practices, and how you as a business owner can prepare for success when bringing someone onto your team.
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On this very special episode, in collaboration with The Bridge, Whitney is joined by Habib El Fassi of Visit Morocco Travel & Events, and Bram Evers of Pure! Travel Group. Together they talk about creating unique experiences and what it means to truly support local communities and make the most out of destinations. Learn about what it takes to create a truly tailor made, creative, and uniquely personalized experience for clients.
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Any CEO of a travel business can get easily overwhelmed with the list of tasks and to-do’s and questions that need answers. What do you do each and every month to ensure your business is heading in the direction of your big goals? How do you define success from one month to the next? How do you ensure boundaries are well-established each month to ensure you're the most efficient and focused you can possibly be from one day to the next. Co-founders of TIQUE, Jennifer Jacob and Robin Brown, are here with a great way to start answering those questions: the CEO Day. Together with Whitney, they discuss the best ways to keep your business running smoothly while making sure you stay sane doing it all.
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The American Society of Travel Advisors is advocating for and working on behalf of travel advisors and the travel industry at large every day. Their mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge, and the enhancement of professionals. But what does that mean to the individual travel advisor? On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by two ASTA experts, Jenn Lee and Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg. Together they discuss the “What’s in it for me?” question many travel advisors may have, as well as what ASTA is actively doing to support travel advisors everywhere.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more about Jenn Lee, VP of Sales & Marketing at Travel Planners International
Check out Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, Co-President of Valerie Wilson Travel, a Frosch Company
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How solid is the foundation that you and your business are currently being built upon? What if there was a list of all the things that a travel advisor should have in place in order to get their business started off on the right foot? To protect themselves as business owners, their business, and their clients, and to prepare them for future growth. Whitney, Jenn Lee, and Korrine Johnson come together, gather their resources, and use their experience to take a first crack at making that list.
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For resources supporting this episode, please head to mastersintravelpod.com/blog/how-to-build-a-solid-foundation-for-your-travel-business
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Are you a member of ASTA? Do you know how ASTA supports and advocates for travel advisors each day? Tune in to learn about the daily role of one of the most important organizations has in the travel industry, all that they're doing for travel advisors behind the scenes, and how we can better support them in their efforts.
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Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more about and sign up to become a member of ASTA: https://www.asta.org/
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Growing a working team is what many advisors consider at some point in their business. Whether you are a new advisor considering if you'd like to join an established team, or if you're an experienced advisor who is interested to mentor and grow your team, this episode is for you. This episode brings together the perspective from both an agency owner, as well as a perspective from a host agency as Whitney speaks with Connie Miller and Korrine Johnson. Connie Miller is the Vice President of business development at Montecito Village Travel. Korrine Johnson is the creator of Travel Biz Boss podcast, co-host of the Tin Lounge, and travel advisor and co-owner of Journeys Travel. Listen in as they talk about the ins and outs and pros and considerations of growing your team of travel advisors and the reality of becoming a sub agent.
Resources:
Subscribe to weekly episodes of Masters in Travel and our Bonus Q&A Episode each month.
August's Q&A Topic: Measuring SuccessHow do you measure success in your business? Questions might be related to numbers or information that we’re tracking in our business each month; questions might be related to HOW we’re gathering information and data about our businesses and the steps advisors are taking when they sit down and look at the results. Questions might also be related to what we’re doing with the data once we start tracking certain metrics. Are you someone who tracks alllll the numbers or do you not track anything and just hope for the best?
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Learn about Connie Miller and Montecito Village Travel
Korrine Johnson is Co-Owner of Journeys Travel, Co-Host of The TIN Lounge, and Creator of Travel Biz Boss.
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Hey friends, Season 2 is here! We have so many fun updates for you. Find the links below!
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This week’s conversation with Emily Lockard-Furry was inspired by a previous episode in which we spoke about our business structures and how we approach professional development, FAMs, and personal travels.
Today we’ll dive deeper into her fee structure, how she started and how she got to where she is today, the importance of starting where you feel comfortable and most importantly, confident. And my favorite part, later in the conversation Emily shares with us a unique exercise she goes through with her team members to ensure that they’re building their businesses in a way that aligns with their personal values and to ensure they’re only working with clients who they can best serve.
Enjoy the conversation.
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As travel advisors, we are in this beautiful world of human connection and relationships. We foster and build relationships with our clients and our supplier partners. And it would be hard to say that one of these relationships is more important than the other. Without one, the other can’t thrive. Without supplier partners, it would be really difficult to service our client inquiries and without clients, we don’t have a need for supplier partners.
There are many conversations that center around talking points with prospective clients, questions to ask new clients to get to know them better, and how to keep in touch from the end of one trip and the beginning of another, but seemingly few about building relationships with our supplier partners. Let’s start the conversation on how we can foster positive, mutually beneficial relationships with our supplier partners. I believe that if one of these relationships is stronger than the other (clients vs suppliers), then we are missing out on the potential our businesses could benefit from if we invested more time and energy into all of the relationships that lead to success as a travel advisor.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
As an entrepreneur and a travel advisor, there are different stages in building and in expanding your book of business. In this episode we talk about expanding your book of business as an experienced advisor, how this differs from building a book of business when you first get started, and strategies we’ve tried as our businesses grew.
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Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Community + Think Tank
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
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During my first year as a travel advisor, there was one thing that surprised me most about my new day-to-day. I had no idea how much time, energy, and effort would be dedicated to educating current and potential clients on the value of planning their travels with a travel advisor.
Finding the words to articulate our value proposition is often the first challenge, and then, feeling prepared and confident to share this with the next person that might ask is another challenge that often takes practice to feel truly comfortable.
In this episode, I'm joined by Robin Brown, Kristin Hoogheem, and Beth Bastian.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
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When I decided that I wanted to pursue a business as a travel advisor, I began researching….and I wish I could remember what on earth I first started Googling. I think I must have started by searching for education, trainings, information on how to learn what I needed to know about being a travel advisor. I stumbled upon a training program for which I needed to apply and schedule a phone interview.
It was during that phone interview that the woman asked me: What are you looking for in a host agency?
I made up an answer, I’m not sure if it made any sense whatsoever at the time, because I was simultaneously scribbling down on a piece of paper next to me - “What is a host agency???”
Upon hanging up the phone, that was exactly what I Googled and thank goodness for Steph Lee, I found HostAgencyReviews.com. With this discovery, I suddenly felt I had cracked open the world of travel advisors. As I navigated my way through this website, I suddenly realized, “ooh...I guess I need one of these!?” Except...when I started comparing one host agency to another, I still had no idea what I was looking for and how I could best compare one host agency to another.
The decisions made in those first months when starting a business as a travel advisor are so, so important, yet I feel if you’re new to the industry, these important details are often learned after the fact. So, for today’s conversation I’ve invited Michelle Master-Orr of Master Travel onto the show to talk about her experience as an advisor trying to navigate the world of host agencies.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned:
HostAgencyReviews.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
One of my favorite newsletters and one that I always open when it lands in my inbox is the newsletter from Emily Matras, Founder of Bon Vivant Copy.
She always has a quick message to share with us and she somehow strikes the perfect balance between insightful and valuable, and always with an approachable vibe. Her newsletters are quick, to the point, and always leave me thinking about her message even after I’ve moved on to my next task.
One of her most recent newsletters really caught my attention because it was A) about the Oatly Super Bowl Commercial, and I’m a big Oatly fan and B) it was about figuring out who your “people” are and reflecting their “vibe” in your marketing.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned:
Emily's website: https://bonvivantcopy.com/
Oatly Superbowl Commercial
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When starting a business, it’s almost certain that we all had a lot of ideas as to the type of business we wanted to build and just how we wanted to go about it. One of the most empowering elements of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to make all these decisions for ourselves. On the flip side, the necessity to make so many decisions in that first year and beyond can also become quite overwhelming. I remember times in that first year when I didn’t feel empowered and I didn’t feel overwhelmed, I simply felt uncertain. I knew I had options, I was surrounded by advisors with different business models that I could learn from, and I asked a lot of questions, but in many cases, I still found myself making the best decision I could at the time with the information that I had, and simply hoping for the best.
On this episode, I'm joined by Korrine Johnson, Jennifer Jacob, & Bailie White.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors & Community + Think Tank
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
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With me for today's conversation is Alyssa Hall, an anti-racism leadership coach who helps women implement anti-racism in their lives and businesses with a sprinkle of diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Together, we dive into a lot of different questions. How do we as advisors decide which companies we work with? And which experiences to include in a proposal for clients? How do we start conversations with our supplier partners to understand their values as a company and as a service provider? How do we then confirm that a company’s intentions are translated into action on the ground? How do we inquire into the safety of a destination for a variety of travelers - from solo female travelers, to LGBTQ+ travelers, to BIPOC travelers?
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors & The Masters in Travel Community & Think Tank
Resources Mentioned:
Aly's Instagram: @alythelifecoach
Aly's Website: Alyssa Hall Coaching
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
Two things get me very excited. A positive, uplifting newsletter landing in my inbox each week and an innovative approach to virtual conferences.
Andrew Finn is the Business Development Manager at Kartagener Associates Inc and was the inspiration behind both their weekly Positive Vibes newsletter as well as RepFest, a collaboration between multiple representation companies coming together for the greater good of the travel advisor and the travel industry as a whole to create an innovative virtual event for travel advisors.
Resources Mentioned:
Sign up for KAI's Positive Vibes Newsletter - sent out weekly on Fridays
Sign up for RepFest, a 3-day virtual conference from April 20 - 22, 2021
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
One of the most common topics you’ll hear about at industry events, over cocktails with a group of advisors, in Facebook forums, and basically anywhere that advisors are hanging out, is THE question of all questions…. To charge or not to charge fees.
Well, today on the podcast we mix it up a bit with my guest, Kate Sullivan, founder of Anthology Travel.
We do not want to chat about whether or not to charge fees, because we both are very passionate that the answer to this question is an emphatic YES. Yes yes yes, you should be charging fees.
Instead, what we’re going to dive into today is HOW to charge fees. What does this actually look like in execution, because just like any other topic, we all have our own style, our own areas of expertise, and our own approach to running a travel business.
Charging fees is not a black and white topic. And it’s not, “one size fits all”. There are a wide variety of ways you can approach this aspect of your business.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors: community.mastersintravel.co
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
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Travel advisors are known to be extremely discerning travelers. No matter your specialty, your preferred destination, or the types of trips you like to book, we know how to pick a top hotel, a solid tour company, or a unique experience out from the pack. We can articulate with ease what separates one experience from another. We are well versed in cautioning clients about small details that may make a big difference in their travels. When a client asks, “Well, what do you think?”, we are ready with the pros and cons of different options, and we are prepared to talk to our client about how it’s more important to consider the value of a certain offering rather than the price tag.
But what if we remove the vacation itself from our interactions with clients? What if we consider the experience that we, as travel advisors, provide for our clients? Before they reach out to us, during those initial conversations, during the planning process, and after their trip. For our listeners, consider for a moment how might your current clients describe the experience of working with you? What adjectives might they use? What improvements might they suggest? When referring their close friends and family to you, what do they rave about when talking about the experience that you provide?
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and sign up for the Masters in Travel Resource Library for Travel Advisors
Learn more and register for our course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned:
Carolene Meli's Website
Carolene Meli's Instagram: @carolenemeli
Carolene Meli & The Experience Creators on YouTube
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
This week, we have a super fun conversation with fellow travel advisor and founder of founder of Travel Agent Achievers, Roslyn Ranse!
Ros and I talk about building up that repeat and referral business, showing clients how much we love and appreciate them (surprising and delighting every step of the way), finding a community to lift and support your business endeavors, and so much more.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
The Enneagram is a system of personality typing that describes patterns in how people interpret the world and how they manage their emotions.
In this conversation, we’re not only going to learn about how we can be better travel advisors by knowing and understanding our own type, but also how we can build stronger relationships with our clients by knowing and understanding what their enneagram type might be.
Whitney Warne is a Certified Enneagram Coach, creative entrepreneur, community builder and confidence champion living in Des Moines, IA. Whitney specializes in creating a space for people to become their very best selves. One of the ways she does this is through her online community, The Circle, focused on self-growth and empowerment through the healing lens of the Enneagram.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and register for our new course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned:
Enneagram Test (FREE)
Enneagram Institute Test ($12)
iEQ9 Test - Most in depth ($60)
Whitney Warne, Enneagram Coach, Website: www.whitneywarne.com
Whitney Warne, Enneagram Coach, Instagram: @whitneywarne
Enneagram & Coffee Instagram: @enneagramandcoffee
The Honest Enneagram by Sarahjane Case (Easy read)
The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut (Scholarly Approach)
Enneagram 2.0 by Beatrice Chestnut & Uranio Paes: Apple Podcasts & Spotify
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When I started my travel business, I was most excited to dive into the branding of my new business - the logo, the fonts, my website...all the things that were going to make me feel super official as a new business owner. Turns out, having a logo is just the beginning.
I began to look for ways to create a consistently branded experience for my clients because I know that branding, in the simplest of definitions, is known to increase recognition and to build trust. And part of branding is to integrate it throughout every aspect of your business. In theory, this seems pretty straightforward, but in execution, I feel like there are a lot of opportunities that we as travel advisors might be overlooking when seeking out opportunities to integrate our brand throughout a client’s experience.
On this episode I'm joined by Jennifer Jacob & Robin Brown, Co-Founders of 'TIQUE, a boutique website, branding, and systems design studio for the modern travel advisor to talk all things branding.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources Mentioned:
'TIQUE Website
Instagram: @tiquehq
25% off shop items with code MASTERSINTRAVEL
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Investing time, energy, and money back into our clients and supplier partners as a sign of appreciation, to foster relationships, and to build loyalty is recommended on all fronts and is something that is talked about regularly. But, what does this actually look like when it’s executed? Do all clients and suppliers receive gifts? If not, how do you decide who does? How much is appropriate to invest in gifts and thoughtful gestures? Should gifts be a representation of our brand or rather of the destination clients will be traveling? Once we’ve sent one gift, how do we stay creative to continue sending gifts to clients who return to us year after year?
Over the last few months, I have spent a tremendous amount of time researching unique, thoughtful gift ideas for clients, and honestly, it can be quite time consuming. Sometimes I find a gift that I love, but when I have it shipped to myself and then sent to clients together with a personal welcome note, it can sometimes become more cumbersome and more expensive that I’d like it to be. Other times I consider sending it directly to them, it’s missing the small details that will really speak to my brand and that will really make it personal, so often, I give up and don’t send anything at all, which is clearly not the solution I’m looking for. And sometimes, I’m just not able to find exactly what I’m looking for.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources Mentioned:
Munwa Experiences
Homesick Candles
Flytographer Travel Shop
Tabi Jet Sets Website & @tabijetsets on Instagram
Use code MASTERS10
B.I.T.E. Box Website & @bite_explorer on Instagram
Use Code MASTERS10
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Do you maximize the sales and marketing potential of each FAM that you attend?
This week I’m joined by Theresa Chu-Bermudez, Owner & Travel Advisor at Get Out! Custom Travels, podcast co-host of The Tin Lounge together with Korrine Johnson, and most recently, she created a course for travel advisors, called “FAM with Intention”. This course is to help travel advisors who are missing out on the marketing potential of their FAM trips and who want to learn how to improve the way they market their experience on social media to gain more inquiries upon returning home.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources Mentioned:
FAM with Intention
Use code MASTERS10 for 10% any of Theresa's courses!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
We quite possibly have one of the coolest jobs in the world. We travel, we explore, we work with clients to plan their dream vacations and getaways. Whenever a client calls, there’s always excitement in the air as they tell us what they have in mind for their next adventure.
At the beginning, for me personally, I said yes to every FAM I was invited on and I attended as many trade shows and industry events as I possibly could. This was great at the very beginning when I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t know what my future clients would be asking for, so I wanted to know it all. It wasn’t until I was able to progress a little further on in my business and look back that I started to realize that saying yes to every FAM opportunity and attending every trade show possible may not be the most time efficient nor the most cost effective way to run a business - especially when we’re not earning a lot of money at the very beginning.
Rather than trying to learn everything in an attempt to be prepared for a client’s call, I feel we should rather accept FAM invitations, plan personal travels, and register for trade shows with intention - with the business that we would like to build in mind, not what a hypothetical client may or may not potentially request, sometime in the future.
Joining me in this week’s discussion is Beth Bastian of Bastian World Travel, Emily Lockard-Furry of Traveluxe Official, and Sarah Brook Austin of Currie & Co Travels.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
As a travel advisor, we are always striving to seek out new technologies, new destinations, new partners, new systems and software, new gift ideas for my clients, and quite possibly one of the more difficult finds, new ways to inspire and engage clients.
Jennifer Raezer is the cofounder and CMO of Approach Guides. Since 2009, Approach Guides has been the ultimate resource for curious travelers, reimagining the way they explore destinations, connect with local culture and experience the world. Since then, they have developed a “destination content solution” for travel advisors that includes Expert-curated multimedia content, from videos, to podcasts, to articles, that can be shared with a personal touch by a single click.
Tune in to learn how some of the top advisors are utilizing this tremendous resource and the unique ways they’re generating business and keeping clients engaged every step of the way.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and register for our new course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned:
Website: www.approachguides.com
Instagram handle: @jenniferraezer and @approachguides
Travel advisors can learn more about the platform, receive example destination content from Hawaii, Iceland and Venice at approachguides.com/advisors
Masters in Travel listeners can get one month off of the annual subscription with discount code MASTERSINTRAVEL
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
How do we, as travel advisors, measure our success? What does success look like? And how should it be measured?
How should travel advisors set goals? What should we measure? How far reaching should those goals extend? When setting goals, what should we be focusing on?
We all know that while there may not be any barriers to entry into the travel industry as an advisor, it does on the other hand require a tremendous amount of grit and patience in those first few years. And while sales and revenue and commissions are so often talked about, I believe that we sometimes get distracted by these metrics because we aren’t always in complete control of these metrics and I also believe that when measuring the success of a travel advisor, it is about so much more than these numbers.
Follow us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and register for our new course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned
James Clear Goal Setting
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As entrepreneurs, we likely all started with a passion for travel. Some days we are literally jumping out of bed to do what we do best. Other days, it feels like we’re stuck in the weeds taking care of tasks that we don’t care about, that we’re maybe not good at, and that we dread.
As entrepreneurs, we wear all the hats. The marketing hat, the sales hat, the travel hat, the social media hat, the accounting hat, and the customer service hat.
In a nutshell, we have too much to do in too little time. While creating systems in our businesses won’t solve everything, it will most definitely point us in the right direction of optimization and efficiency so that we can focus on taking our business exactly where we’d like it to go.
Korrine Johnson is the creator of TravelBizBoss, podcast co-host of The Tin Lounge, Travel Advisor & Co-Owner of Journeys Travel Company
Follow us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Learn more and register for our new course: Trello for Your Travel Biz
Resources Mentioned
TravelJoy (Receive 50% off your first 3 months with this link!)
Toggl (time tracking)
Trello (our secret sauce - see course details above!)
Travefy (Save 10% for 1 year with an annual plan and for 6 months with a monthly plan with this link!)
Umapped
Later
Boomerang (email scheduler - email scheduling is free with Gmail accounts)
Follow up then (schedule an email reminder to follow up!)
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
As travel advisors, we are in this beautiful world of human connection and relationships. We foster and build relationships with our clients and our supplier partners. And it would be hard to say that one of these relationships is more important than the other. Without one, the other can’t thrive. Without supplier partners, it would be really difficult to service our client inquiries and without clients, we don’t have a need for supplier partners.
There are many conversations that center around talking points with prospective clients, questions to ask new clients to get to know them better, and how to keep in touch from the end of one trip and the beginning of another, but seemingly few about building relationships with our supplier partners. Let’s start the conversation on how we can foster positive, mutually beneficial relationships with our supplier partners. I believe that if one of these relationships is stronger than the other (clients vs suppliers), then we are missing out on the potential our businesses could benefit from if we invested more time and energy into all of the relationships that lead to success as a travel advisor.
Find us on Instagram @mastersintravel
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
As travel advisors, we have three major itinerary building platforms available to us: Axus, Travefy, and Umapped.
Together with Grace McBride, Founder of My TripKit, we discuss key points to consider if you’re ready to use one of these services in your business or if you’re already using one and potentially considering switching to another. We’ll dive into the advantages and disadvantages of each platform and which platform might be best for you depending on your business model.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources Mentioned:
Axus
Travefy
Umapped
Grace McBride Instagram: @mytripkit
MyTripKit Website: mytripkit.com
MyTripKit promo: MASTERS25 for 25% off TripKit’s new hourly service
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
As travel advisors, we are in this beautiful world of human connection and relationships. We foster and build relationships with our clients and our supplier partners. And it would be hard to say that one of these relationships is more important than the other. Without one, the other can’t thrive. Without supplier partners, it would be really difficult to service our client inquiries and without clients, we don’t have a need for supplier partners.
There are many conversations that center around talking points with prospective clients, questions to ask new clients to get to know them better, and how to keep in touch from the end of one trip and the beginning of another, but seemingly few about building relationships with our supplier partners. Let’s start the conversation on how we can foster positive, mutually beneficial relationships with our supplier partners. I believe that if one of these relationships is stronger than the other (clients vs suppliers), then we are missing out on the potential our businesses could benefit from if we invested more time and energy into all of the relationships that lead to success as a travel advisor.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
“It takes much more than a great product, service, or experience to stand out.” Authentic storytelling can be more impactful than a great product, service, or experience and it can be included as part of each and every one of our touchpoints with clients - from social media to our websites to in person conversations.
Rachel Leslie is the founder of RL Studio, a copywriting studio based in Portland, Oregon. RL Studio helps impact-driven brands define and amplify their business with compelling copy and purpose-led storytelling. With nearly a decade of marketing experience across F&B, tech, travel, and sportswear industries, Rachel understands the power of stories and is on a mission to help her clients share theirs in the best way possible.
Tune in to learn more about Rachel’s approach to copywriting and how authentic storytelling will attract our dream clients.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources
Rachel's website: https://rachelleslie.co/
Rachel's Instagram: @rachelaleslie
HERE Magazine from Away Luggage
AFAR Podcast “Travel Tales”
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When starting a business, it’s almost certain that we all had a lot of ideas as to the type of business we wanted to build and just how we wanted to go about it. One of the most empowering elements of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to make all these decisions for ourselves. On the flip side, the necessity to make so many decisions in that first year and beyond can also become quite overwhelming. I also remember times in that first year when I didn’t feel empowered and I didn’t feel overwhelmed, I simply felt uncertain. I knew I had options, I was surrounded by advisors with different business models that I could learn from, and I asked a lot of questions, but in many cases, I still found myself making the best decision I could at the time with the information that I had, and simply hoping for the best.
In this episode, we talk with three experienced advisors about what they might do differently if they started all over, knowing what they know now.
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
“Public speaking and storytelling aren’t just podiums and power points. Public speaking is anytime you speak to inform, persuade, lead, inspire, or entertain. It looks very different for different people, but it is a required skill of all positions and professions.”
And just in that one sentence alone, my interest was piqued and in digging deeper, I saw that there is definitely something here for travel advisors, because we are speaking on a very regular basis to inform, to lead, and to inspire, at the very minimum.
Erik Dominguez is a public speaker, a public speaking coach and the founder of Speak Up Stories and has strategies and advice to lead us to more confident, effective and professional conversations with clients.
Resources Mentioned
Erik's website: https://speakupstories.com/
Instagram: @speak.up.stories
Facebook Group: Speak Up Stories
Marco Polo messaging app
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When we hear the word "experience" in a context related to travel, our thoughts might understandably go straight to the trip itself. The experiences we have in the luxury hotels we stay on a vacation, the privately guided experiences, the special meals we enjoy...
But when we focus solely on the client's experience with us, as their travel advisor, we realize that, depending upon the client, the complexity of their trip, and how far in advance they're planning, a client could potentially be spending more cumulative time with us - between the phone calls, emails, discussing with their family - than they actually do on their trip.
So, if we take a step back, and remove the actual vacation from the client's experience, and we set aside the all important first impression, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the overall client experience of working with you as a travel advisor?
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On this episode, together with Emily Steele of Love Local, we discuss the importance of investing in your existing customer base or your existing network and how it can totally change your business. Happy, repeat clients who refer more clients to us is what every travel advisor strives for as this type of business is truly the best.
Tune in to learn more about Emily's "Come Back Again Method".
Find us on Instagram: @mastersintravel
Resources Mentioned
Learn more about the Come Back Again Method www.comebackagainmethod.com
Emily's website: www.love-local.co
Love Local Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/love.localcommunity
Love Local on Instagram: @love.local
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
When we’re working with a new client, how do you get to know them? How do you learn about their travel preferences and their previous travel experiences? How do you ensure that you set yourself up for success with a client who is new to you and potentially, new to working with a travel advisor?
In this episode, Beth and I discuss the key questions we ask new clients to get to know them and to understand the trip they're envisioning as well as some key lessons we’ve learned over the last five years from some of our most successful itinerary design experiences and some of our more challenging experiences.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mastersintravel/message
Welcome! Masters in Travel is a new podcast created especially for travel advisors who are ready to accelerate their success.
On this podcast, we’ll hear from travel professionals about lessons learned as their businesses grew in the hopes that their experience, advice, and insights will help accelerate the success of your travel business. We’ll also welcome guests outside the travel industry to provide a new perspective on running a small, service based business.
New episodes released each week on Tuesdays!
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