Michelle's Journey from employee to business owner at Travel Counsellors
Michelle Kaye's journey from employee to business owner at Travel Counsellors is one that many of us can identify with.
What is your background and where did you work before becoming a Travel Counsellor?
I have worked in three different retail travel agencies doing both corporate and leisure travel. My first job was as a junior consultant for Sure International Travels, followed by Priority Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and finally 13 years at Travel League.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I share my family home with my furry companion, a pug named Roxy and my parents. With my family spread all over the world, from California to Melbourne I am fortunate enough to have my youngest brother relatively close, in Cape Town. I am a qualified PADI Advanced open water scuba diver but also love spending time in the bush, my phobia of snakes notwithstanding! Lastly, Antarctica is the only continent I haven’t yet set foot on.
What does becoming a Travel Counsellor mean for you?
I look forward to this change which I feel is both necessary and timely. Being my own boss gives me the flexibility to work from anywhere, at my own pace and without sales targets. I will also be able to sell my clients the holiday they want using any travel products I want to use. Although running my own business will be a learning curve for me, I am confident I will succeed because of my determination, self-discipline and the good relationships already established with existing clients.
What motivated you to start your own travel business with Travel Counsellors?
I want to channel all my passion, work ethic and drive into growing my own business.
What are you looking forward to most about being a Travel Counsellor?
This is a difficult question as there are so many things that I am looking forward to in my new life as Travel Counsellor. If I had to choose one, it would be to continue working with my existing clients and growing those relationships.
Have you set yourself any goals or milestones for what you want to achieve in your first year?
To reach gold status! Only joking. To make enough money to live off and to be happy.
Have you started planning how you will grow your Travel Counsellor business, and if so how?
I’m going to start off by changing my mindset from employee to business owner!
What do you love most about working in the travel industry?
Making my clients' dreams a reality, learning something new every day and the opportunity to travel.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
New York, New York - my favourite city in the world! The Okavango Delta and an island somewhere (there’s too many to choose from).