The Power of Community: How Teamwork Transformed My Business

Embarking on the journey of running your own travel business can feel like a big step. You might be passionate about travel and ready for entrepreneurship, but concerns about going it alone can be daunting. What if you had a supportive network behind you, cheering you on and sharing their expertise every step of the way? For Travel Counsellor Jaenette Struwig, joining a team was the life-changing decision that propelled her business forward, providing a foundation of support, collaboration, and friendship.

With 22 years of experience in the travel industry, Jaenette’s career has taken her from London to South Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected changes, leading her to make the leap she had long considered: becoming a Travel Counsellor. It was a decision she says she hasn't regretted for a minute. While the support from the head office was a major draw, she discovered an even greater benefit in the community she found, particularly within her team, JACKD.

Finding Strength in Numbers with Team JACKD

One of the most powerful aspects of the Travel Counsellors community is the ability to form teams, referred to as a TC Team. Jaenette is a member of the TC team JACKD, a team of five like-minded entrepreneurs spread across South Africa.

"The five of us are very different," Jaenette explains. "We work very differently... and we celebrate everything. We celebrate family life. We celebrate work life." This dynamic is the core of their success. They are more than just colleagues; they are a family that supports each other through every high and low. This structure provides the perfect blend of independent business ownership and collaborative support, ensuring no one ever feels isolated.

The Benefits of a Collaborative Spirit

Being part of Team JACKD has brought numerous advantages to Jaenette’s business, transforming the way she works and serves her clients.

A Shared Pool of Knowledge

Each member of JACKD brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table. This creates a powerful knowledge-sharing environment where everyone can learn and grow. "We've got one of the TCs in my team who is fantastic with Fares," Jaenette notes. "You will call on Kerith for France, you will call on Anna for skiing."

This collective wisdom means that Jaenette can offer her clients a level of service that extends far beyond her own specialities. If a client has a question about a destination she’s less familiar with, an expert is just a quick message away. This access to instant, specialised advice allows her to operate with greater confidence and professionalism. The team even shares key takeaways from workshops and training sessions, ensuring everyone stays informed on the latest industry trends.

Seamlessly Sharing the Workload

Running your own business means the workload can sometimes be overwhelming. As Gold Travel Counsellors, team members Anna and Kerith often have overflow bookings, which they share with the team. This keeps business within the Travel Counsellors family and provides opportunities for others.

Jaenette recalls a personally challenging year where she reached out to her team for support. "I reached out to my team and I got a whole bunch of bookings from Kerith," she says. This system allows for commissions to be split, so everyone benefits. It’s a powerful way to manage capacity, ensure clients are always cared for, and support one another’s financial success. The advanced systems at Travel Counsellors make this process easy, allowing for transparent tracking of shared bookings and earnings.

Unwavering Moral Support

Entrepreneurship has its challenges, and having a reliable support system is invaluable. For Jaenette, her team has been a crucial source of moral support. "I would not have been able to have my business if it wasn't for my team," she shares candidly.

The team holds meetings every Monday morning, which Jaenette describes as essential for starting her week. These sessions are a space to rant, cry, laugh, and brainstorm solutions together. "Any time of the day I can phone any of my team and go, ‘I am freaking out,’... there's always been support from them," she says. This emotional safety net is what makes the journey less stressful and more rewarding, as they are the people who truly understand the unique pressures of the job.

Expanding and Growing the Business

Collaboration within Team JACKD has also been a catalyst for business growth. Jaenette highlights tapping into Kerith's "amazing business brain" for advice on corporate clients, agreements, and service fee structures. Having a trusted colleague to review an email or offer a second opinion provides immense peace of mind.

This collaborative approach helps each member step out of their comfort zone and tackle bigger opportunities. Whether it’s handling large group bookings or navigating complex itineraries, the team’s combined experience empowers them to achieve more than they could alone.

Jaenette’s Advice for Aspiring Travel Counsellors

For anyone considering starting their own travel business, Jaenette’s advice is simple: find your TC Team. "For any new TC, I would encourage them to reach out to different TCs and get your groove, and find a team that you can work with," she advises. "Having someone, especially if you are new, makes all the difference."

She also praises the new mentoring initiative at Travel Counsellors, which pairs new entrepreneurs with experienced ones. This guidance provides security and peace of mind, helping new business owners navigate the systems and processes with confidence.

As a mother of three, Jaenette finds being a woman business owner incredibly rewarding. She loves showing her children what it takes to build and grow a business. For her, the flexibility of working from home, combined with the support of her team, creates a fulfilling work-life balance.

Jaenette's story is a powerful reminder that you don't have to choose between independence and support. With Travel Counsellors, you can build the business of your dreams, backed by a community that empowers you to succeed.