Emily's journey as a new Travel Counsellor's franchisee

Building momentum as a Travel Counsellor

"I was worried I wouldn’t have any momentum building up enquiries, but that hasn’t been the case."

I’m Emily Coles, a brand-new Travel Counsellor based in Rugby. At 21 years old, I’m proud to be the youngest person to set up a Travel Counsellors franchise. My passion for travel led me to this exciting career path after I won a place on the Travel Counsellors Academy Scholarship programme last year.

A bit about me—I graduated from Coventry University with a journalism degree. During university, I combined my love for writing and travel by starting a travel blog, which shaped my dream of turning this passion into a career. Now, as a new franchisee, I’m here to share an honest look at the support, effort, and mindset required to become a Travel Counsellor.

Getting started

How my story began

It all started in October 2023 when I found out I’d been offered a place on the Travel Counsellors Academy Scholarship. The excitement was real, though I was also nervous. Ahead of my start date in November, I worked on pre-induction modules to prepare for my new venture.

Week one – induction

The induction week kicked off with brilliant support from my trainer, Kerry. The group dynamic was uplifting—we were all new to the travel industry and learning together.

During the first week, I completed several training modules. From setting up social media pages to creating networking opportunities and drafting my first quote for Dubai, it was a packed agenda. With so much information to take on board, it was reassuring to know Kerry was always there to help.

By the end of the week, the group felt like a long-distance family. We even began our own tradition, calling it "Wine Wednesdays" in our group chat!

Week two – induction continued

The second week brought even more surprises as I learned things I’d never considered, like the critical role of travel insurance and where to source reliable travel information. Most importantly, I learned the skills it takes to become a tour operator.

Experiencing the booking system, Phenix, was a mix of excitement and challenges (yes, I made an accidental live booking!). But the support from trainers, mentors, and my Academy peers made the whole process much easier. When my business went live at the end of the week, it felt like a massive milestone.

Starting my business

Week three – setting up my business

I began setting up my business by focusing on social media planning and designing posts to inspire my audience. My first two enquiries came in quickly, one for a yoga retreat and another for a cruise paired with a week in Las Vegas. It was an exciting start!

Travel Counsellors provides fantastic marketing tools, and I used them to create a “Five Days of Christmas” Instagram series. This included festive break ideas such as Christmas markets in Europe and trips to Lapland and New York to engage my audience.

Week four – work overload

Things started to ramp up significantly this week. I joined a local hot-desking space, handing out my business cards to introduce myself locally. The workload kept growing as more enquiries came in, which was both thrilling and a little overwhelming. The support from my mentor, Thea, was invaluable during this busy time.

Week five – creativity and confidence

Like many others starting out, I had moments of self-doubt this week. A short time away from work made me feel like I’d lost momentum. But rather than dwelling on it, I shifted my mindset and focused on putting together quotes for an anniversary trip to Crete.

I also dedicated time to my travel blog. Writing is a comfort zone that helps me feel productive and connected to my business. This week taught me that taking time to do what you love can also benefit your growth.

Learning and growing

Week six – training

This week was all about training. I completed a Qatar course and discovered the incredible travel opportunities the destination offers. I also started a cruise-specific training module through CLIA, building my knowledge about the cruise travel sector.

I’ve also been expanding my Travel Counsellors network. I met Matt, a Cambridge-based franchisee, and made plans to attend a supplier showcase event in Solihull with him next year. Plus, I’ve grown even closer to the group I started my Academy training with, developing friendships I now treasure.

Weeks seven and eight – Christmas

Balancing the festive season and business operations was a challenge, but I made it work. I used the mornings to catch up on emails and prep for January enquiries and spent the afternoons enjoying the holiday spirit.

Looking ahead, I have some exciting enquiries lined up, including a Florida trip, a Christmas cruise, and a tour through Ireland. I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me.

Reflecting on my first steps

Becoming a self-employed Travel Counsellor has been an emotional, rewarding, and insightful experience. From the excitement of starting something new to brief moments of doubt, every step has been worth it. There are times when I’ve felt like I wasn’t progressing fast enough, but I remind myself that I’m only 21, building a business that fits the lifestyle I’ve dreamt of for years.

There will be challenges along the way, but I know I’m on the right path.

Take the first step towards a travel career

We’re committed to nurturing the next generation of Travel Counsellors through our world-class training, tools, and support - so we've re-launched our Academy Scholarship for 2024! If you think you’ve got what it takes to become one of our self-employed franchisees, register your interest today. You could soon be following in Emily’s footsteps!