Meet our Relationship Management Team – Michelle Lindsay

As we continue our ‘Meet our Relationship Management Team’ blog series, we’re kicking off the new year by shining the spotlight on Michelle Lindsay – who rejoined us back in 2018 following a move back to the UK from South Africa.

We caught up with her to find out why she thinks Travel Counsellors is a ‘really special place to be”.

Hi Michelle! Tell us a bit about what you were doing before you joined Travel Counsellors

I have always loved to travel, so it made sense that I made a career in the industry. From family holidays in Europe to living and working in Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa, I have always mixed my passion with my professional life.

I began my career in corporate travel (after a short stint working on cruise ships) and joined Travel Counsellors shortly after graduating. I loved it, learned from the best in the industry, and made life-long friends. After a few years, I took a year off to explore Australia and South-East Asia. Upon my return, I moved to London and worked for an independent hotel provider, with Travel Counsellors as one of my clients. Later, I moved to South Africa to pursue my dream of working in community development. When I returned to the UK in 2018, it felt right to reconnect with Travel Counsellors – and I was fortunate to be welcomed back with open arms.

What do you love about working at Travel Counsellors?

It’s all about the people and our culture - from the team that I work with every day, to the wider colleague community and the Travel Counsellors that we support. It really is a special place to be.

I also love seeing a Travel Counsellor achieve their goals, and knowing that I have played a part in that through the work we have done together – it feels amazing.

Tell us a bit about what you do day to day as a Relationship Manager

No two days are ever the same! My diary is often busy with one-to-one coaching calls with Travel Counsellors at all stages of their journey. These calls are tailored to each individual, and we work with them to help define their goals and turn them into reality.

There are often bumps in the road and we are there to support through it all. We are ILM Level 5 qualified business coaches and Mental Health First Aiders. We put the skills gained from these qualifications into practice daily.

What part of your role do you enjoy the most?

I think it has to be a mixture of coaching and delivering workshops here at Venus (Travel Counsellors’ Support Hub). I love working one-on-one with Travel Counsellors as this really helps to build a connection. I also love being in a room with a small group where they share knowledge and learn from each other. They often have ‘lightbulb’ moments and it’s a joy to watch. It also gives us an opportunity to share updates on our technology which helps Travel Counsellors to build their businesses whilst giving their customers the best possible experience.

What’s the secret to building strong relationships with our Travel Counsellors?

I’m not sure it’s a secret but I feel that if you are open, listen, care, and show genuine interest then the relationship will follow. I take a huge amount of pride in the number of Travel Counsellors that book in calls with me month after month because of the relationship that we have built. I will often be the first person they call when they have achieved a goal, or if they are in need of some support.

What’s been your highlight since joining our community?

There are a few; attending a Gold weekend where I got to spend time with some wonderful business owners, gaining my ILM Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring, and seeing so many Travel Counsellors achieve their goals. But a standout for me is our annual conference, where we get to learn, share, and celebrate all of our achievements. It’s an event not to be missed!

What do you think sets Travel Counsellors apart from other travel franchises on the market?

Our industry-leading technology equips Travel Counsellors with the tools they need to build successful businesses. Phenix, our in-house booking system, lets them create bespoke holidays tailored to each customer. We also have our myTC app which works hand in hand with Phenix to provide customers with their quotes and itineraries and also offers real-time travel updates for customers during their trip. I love hearing stories of customers being in the airport and they are the first to know of a gate change!

Why would you recommend Travel Counsellors to anyone who’s serious about setting up their own travel business?

Because of the first-class training, a hugely successful TC mentor programme, access to qualified relationship managers, a community like no other, and cutting-edge technology. When you combine all of this with a company that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, it just makes sense.

The secret sauce to making it work is you; you will come with an open mind, be positive and know that there will be challenges, but when you overcome them, the rewards are huge!

Ready to set up your own travel business, where you’ll be supported by Michelle and her fellow Relationship Managers to achieve success? Look no further than Travel Counsellors. To get a feel for everything we have to offer, book onto one of our upcoming Discovery events. Secure your spot today.