Independence and empowerment: What does it mean to be a woman at Travel Counsellors?

Here at TC, we’re surrounded by inspirational women who bring so much to our community – both among our Travel Counsellors and our support centre colleagues. We decided to mark International Women’s Day by speaking to 3 of our female business owners, to reflect on what it means to be a woman at Travel Counsellors.

Emma Diamond joined us in September 2020 and despite challenging circumstances has gone on to become one of our top-performing new Travel Counsellors…

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day makes me feel extremely proud and empowered to be a woman. It’s a day that ensures we celebrate the progress that we have made towards gender equality, but also recognises that there is still a long way to go yet. It motivates me to keep doing my part as a woman in business, and keep fighting the fight for younger generations of women who deserve equal opportunities.

How has becoming a Travel Counsellors empowered you and what inspires you about the women in our community?

I am so grateful for the opportunities being a Travel Counsellor has given me, and that my expertise has enhanced other people’s travel experiences; it is incredible that I’ve been able to form a profession from what I love doing most in the world. I look up to so many female Travel Counsellors for a whole host of reasons, but especially the ability to juggle the running of a successful business with motherhood - it gives me immense hope for my future should I wish to start a family of my own one day. I also love how many women within the TC community, despite being financially stable and without the need for extra income, run their businesses purely for ambitious personal gain, the love of the job, and financial independence.

Lisa Hillyard joined us in 1998 and has grown her business to become of our best performing TCs…

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I am a real advocate of this special day in the year to celebrate women and the juggle that life throws at most of us. Being a Mum, a wife and a daughter of an aged mother, I totally understand what it means to have so many balls in the air at the same time.

How has becoming part of the Travel Counsellors community empowered and inspired you?

I joined Travel Counsellors in 1998, when I was one of just 30 franchisees, knowing this was a change of path for life. I have always been ambitious, and Travel Counsellors have provided me with a platform to scale my business and reap the rewards for it. As a Travel Counsellor you are in control of your own destiny, and I don’t say that lightly, but when you love what you do as much as I do, you can’t do anything else.

I never fail to be inspired by the wonderful TC community, be it women or otherwise. In my 25 years of owning my own franchise I have come to be awe of many of my fellow TCs. We celebrate each other and truthfully I cannot think of another business, or industry, that smiles about colleagues achieving the way Travel Counsellors does. I am honoured to be part of this incredible business that we have all built.

Emma Otter joined us in 2017 and has since achieved our Gold status…

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s a day to celebrate all women, the impact we make on society, our families and on our businesses. Working for an international organisation gives me the opportunity to embrace and celebrate my international colleagues too.

How has becoming a Travel Counsellor empowered and inspired you?

Being a TC gives me flexibility; not only in terms of work-life balance, allowing me to work around my family, but also because of the flexibility to develop my business in a way that suits me and my goals. I am so very proud to be part of the Travel Counsellors family, where strong business women genuinely celebrate each other’s successes and are supported by each other, cheered on by men and women in the TC community. It’s a real privilege to be celebrated for being a successful woman in business by a forward thinking, inclusive company.