Meet Tina and Alan – a story of partnership, passion, and growing a successful travel business together

Starting a business takes courage. Growing it for nearly a decade requires resilience, drive, and having the right support around you. For Tina Williams, becoming a Travel Counsellor wasn’t just a career shift - it was a path to a more flexible, fulfilling life. And with her husband Alan joining her as a full-time assistant, this duo has shown that collaboration and commitment are the driving force behind a successful business.

From dream to reality: Tina’s journey to becoming a Travel Counsellor

Nearly nine years ago, Tina made a life-changing decision. Just like many other Travel Counsellors, she wanted to take better control of her time for her family. “I joined the Academy programme because I didn’t want to miss school plays or sports days,” Tina shares. With her husband working long shifts, this opportunity meant at least one parent could always be present.

Before starting her business, Tina worked full-time at a school, which offered the luxury of school holidays but little flexibility for other important moments in life. Discovering Travel Counsellors was a chance to design a life centred around her own terms.

Tina was already familiar with Travel Counsellors through her time at Superbreak. “The agents I spoke to were always so professional and knowledgeable. When I started looking for a company to set up my business with, Travel Counsellors felt like the obvious choice.”

Building her business from scratch

From the very beginning, Tina knew one thing for sure – growing a business takes work. She leveraged her local networking group, finding not just referrals but also friends who understood the unique challenges business owners face. “Some of them really became my support system,” Tina says, reflecting on the impact of networking.

The support didn’t stop there. Tina credits her regular calls with our Relationship Management team for keeping her on track, guiding her as her business steadily grew.

But after years of careful nurturing, Tina’s business reached a tipping point. “It was time to either grow or scale back,” she explains. The workload was edging dangerously into her work-life balance, and something had to give. Around this time, she and her husband Alan began talking about a plan they had once joked about – Alan joining her business.

A dynamic duo

Alan had spent 19 years in the police force, 16 of those as a detective constable, sergeant, and inspector. Yet, the role had become increasingly frustrating, with long hours and mounting pressure. “It was a stable, well-paid job, but I’d always known I wanted to do something different later in life,” Alan reveals.

The idea of stepping away from the police to help Tina push the business even further started making perfect sense. “It became a solution for both of us,” Tina says. “I wouldn’t have wanted to work with anyone else. I trust Alan completely, and that’s so important when bringing someone into an established business.”

Alan officially joined the business a year ago, and his impact was immediate. He began by taking charge of administration, improving processes, and training on the tools available within Travel Counsellors. Now, Alan works alongside Tina on everything from strategy to client growth. “We work together on ways to grow the business, boosting our margins and really getting the best out of the Travel Counsellors platform. It’s exciting and meaningful to achieve success as a team,” he says.

Immersing themselves in the Travel Counsellors community

For both Tina and Alan, one of the most meaningful aspects of their business is the incredible Travel Counsellors community. Tina particularly loves the flexibility of working on her own terms while staying connected with the Travel Counsellors family. “I’ve made lifelong friends, both with other business owners and the head office team,” she shares. “Office Fridays at Venus (Travel Counsellors HQ) are a highlight for me.”

Alan, who joined Travel Counsellors later in life, has been struck by the level of support and camaraderie within the network. “Everyone is genuinely on your side,” he says. “Whether it’s head office support or guidance from fellow Travel Counsellors, there’s always someone ready to help you succeed.”

Making the leap

For anyone considering a career change, Alan has some powerful advice. “If you’re thinking about a change, it’s likely because something isn’t working anymore. Focus on the positives of the new opportunity, rather than the doubts holding you back. It’s not easy to leave stability behind, but if you work hard and stay focused, it can be the best decision you’ll ever make. Work hard to make it a success!”

Tina adds: “If you want the backing of a company that cares about both its people and its customers, but also has the technology to take your business to the next level then Travel Counsellors is the place to be.”

Ready to write your own success story?

Are you ready to take control of your career and write your own success story? Learn more about becoming a Travel Counsellor today by signing up to one of our Discovery events. Book your place today.