From Break to Breakthrough: Petrie Sinclair's Travel Counsellor Story

Are you a travel professional dreaming of a career with more freedom, support, and earning potential? What if you could run your own travel business from home, backed by a global community and cutting-edge technology? For Petrie Sinclair, this dream became a reality when she joined Travel Counsellors. After taking a break from the industry, she not only returned but built a thriving business on her own terms, achieving her best sales month ever in May 2025.

Petrie’s journey is an inspiring example of how our franchise model empowers talented travel experts to build the career and life they want. If you’ve ever considered becoming your own boss, her story will show you what’s possible with the right partner by your side.

Finding the Perfect Fit

After years in leisure and corporate travel, Petrie took a break for family. When she was ready to return, she knew she didn't want to go back to a traditional office environment. A conversation with a friend, who was already a successful Travel Counsellor, pointed her in a new direction.

“I wanted to go back into travel, but I didn't know where to start because I didn't want to work in an office,” Petrie explained. Her friend’s advice was simple and clear: “She then told me that Travel Counsellors would be my perfect fit because I can work online from home in my own time with a lot of support from Travel Counsellors.”

This was the flexibility Petrie was looking for. The ability to set her own schedule, work from anywhere, and still have a life outside of work was a major draw. She took the leap, applied, and began her new journey.

A New Way of Working

Joining Travel Counsellors opened up a new world of possibilities that stood in stark contrast to her previous roles. The high-pressure sales targets and one-size-fits-all packages were gone. In their place was a client-centric approach that allowed her to build meaningful relationships and craft truly bespoke travel experiences.

With Travel Counsellors I can find out what their passion is, what their budget is, what they really want to do,” she says. “I'm able to provide that."

This focus on personalised service is what sets Travel Counsellors apart. We empower you to go beyond the package deal and deliver unforgettable journeys for your clients.

The freedom extends to how and when you work. Petrie values the ability to be there for her clients around the clock, something a 9-to-5 job never allowed. “I can work 24/7. Online, from home, any time of the day, any day of the week, and provide that care to my clients, which was never there before.”

Technology and Support: The Keys to Success

Starting a new business can feel overwhelming, but at Travel Counsellors, you are never alone. We provide the systems and support to handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best: selling travel. For Petrie, our proprietary booking platform, Phenix, was a game-changer.

“What also attracted me was that they provided the Phenix system, which is a booking tool that I can use,” she recalls. Having been out of the industry, Phenix gave her the confidence to jump back in. “It means that I can work as a TC on a system that provided me with everything that I needed.” From booking flights and accommodation to managing invoices, Phenix streamlines the entire process. “All you have to do is get your clients in, use the Phenix tool and book,” Petrie adds. The platform is complemented by our dedicated support teams, who are always available to help.

“The support at Travel Counsellors is the best I've ever seen,” she says. Whether it’s marketing, tech support, or product knowledge, help is just a call or click away. This comprehensive backing was clear from day one. “It made me so immensely proud to be part of Travel Counsellors.”

Building Your Business with a Strong Community When you join Travel Counsellors, you become part of a global community of like-minded professionals who genuinely want to see you succeed. Petrie was immediately welcomed by fellow Travel Counsellors in her area, who provided guidance and friendship.

This spirit of collaboration is nurtured through our mentorship program. Every new Travel Counsellor is paired with an experienced mentor who provides one-on-one support.

“To have her on call honestly for 24 hours a day is an immense help and I would recommend it to anyone,” Petrie says of her mentor. “I think it's the best thing that Travel Counsellors could ever have decided on.”

To kickstart her business, Petrie hosted a launch party for friends, family, and connections. It was an opportunity to introduce her new venture and the unique benefits of booking with a Travel Counsellor, like our financial protection plan and 24/7 duty office. The event was a huge success. “I walked away from that evening actually having to work on quotes which I've never had before,” she remembers. “From my launch party, they've actually started referring their friends and colleagues to me.”

Take Control of Your Career Today

Petrie’s journey from a career break to a record-breaking sales month shows what is achievable with our franchise model. You get the freedom of being your own boss, combined with the unwavering support of a global company.

Her advice for anyone considering making the change is direct and encouraging. “I would honestly advise anyone wanting to become a Travel Counsellor to make the jump,” she says. “Don't be scared of leaving your salary because you can make so much more with Travel Counsellors.”

With higher earning potential and a world-class support system, you have everything you need to build a successful and fulfilling business. Ready to write your own success story? Discover how Travel Counsellors can help you build the travel business you’ve always wanted.