Finding your place in travel: two journeys to a new business model

When Lorna and Cheryl each began their journey into travel, they did what many people do: they joined a business model that promised flexibility, community, and the chance to sell travel from home. It was an exciting first step into an industry they were both passionate about.

As both women grew more serious about turning their passion into a profession, they started to feel that their current path might not be the perfect fit for their long-term ambitions. They wanted to build a business they could be proud of, but felt a gap between their goals and the support available to them. They realised that, despite their hard work, something fundamental was missing for them to truly thrive.

What happened next would change their careers completely.

From side hustle to serious travel career – Lorna's story

Lorna remembers the exact moment she realised she needed a different kind of business model to achieve her professional goals.

“I never felt fully supported in the way I needed to be,” she says. “I lacked the confidence to speak to clients about complex itineraries or destinations I didn’t know well. It felt more like a side hustle than the professional career I wanted to build.”

In her previous setup, she found it difficult to feel like a true travel specialist. She often felt like a go-between, passing bookings to suppliers with little control or sense of ownership over the customer’s experience.

When she began researching Travel Counsellors, something clicked. “The reviews from other Travel Counsellors and the ability to be both a travel agent and a tour operator… it just felt different and so much more professional. I knew it was the path for me to finally feel like a true travel agent.”

Once she joined, the change was immediate. “Absolutely everything is better for me now! The support, the training, and the help from the community of Travel Counsellors and suppliers is incredible. The tech has also made a huge difference. I know there are amazing opportunities available, like working in TC Teams. It’s all given me a massive confidence boost.“

Putting her customers first – the reason for Cheryl’s switch

For Cheryl, the turning point was realising she wanted a business model that was more focused on crafting amazing holidays for her customers.

“My passion has always been about helping people book travel, and I wanted to be in an environment where that was the central focus,” she explains.

She also faced other frustrations, such as limitations on which airlines or tour operators she could book and finding it difficult to design the polished quotes her customers deserved.

The contrast she felt when she discovered Travel Counsellors couldn’t have been stronger. “One day, a client sent me a quote created by a Travel Counsellor. I was blown away. It looked so professional – and that prompted me to look into the Travel Counsellors business model.”

Having made the move to us, Cheryl describes the experience as “just so different”. “I feel part of something real. There’s constant training, you feel engaged with the community, and there’s a tonne of head office support. You really do get so much for your investment in your business.”

“In my previous set-up, the training was quite limited, and it was often positioned as a way to achieve a certain lifestyle rather than build a career. To join Travel Counsellors, I had to submit a business plan, which showed me they were as serious about my success as I was.”

The technology has also been a game-changer for Cheryl. “The way everything is stored in our booking platform, Phenix, is great. Being able to put a beautiful quote together for my client with pictures is a huge improvement. I love the interactive itineraries on the myTC app, and I’m so impressed with TC Co-Pilot – an integrated AI assistant that makes my life so much easier!”

For agents ready to find their perfect fit

Different business models work for different people, and what matters most is finding the one that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

Here at Travel Counsellors, we’re built for people who want to create a full-time travel business, where the focus is on creating exceptional travel experiences for customers. We welcome anyone with a passion for travel and an entrepreneurial spirit, but we know we’re not for everyone – and that’s OK!

If you’re ready to build a professional, future-proof travel business with world-class support and a caring community behind you, why not book onto one of our Discovery events? It’s a no-pressure way to get an insight into what makes us different.