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How I Became a Successful Travel Agent (Working From Home!)Aug 23 '10 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line If I can be a success working from home as a travel agent, so can you.
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I own a travel agency. More often than not, that begins a discussion about travel, how much they love to travel, and how they always wished they could be a travel agent at some point in their life. Honestly, I don't blame them. Throughout my life, I have had dozens of jobs. The only one that I truly enjoyed every time I worked, I couldn't make a career out of: slinging drinks at Lindy's Red Lion in Washington, DC while I went to school at The George Washington University. I was the only female bartender there (besides Lindy, the owner), and I loved every minute of it. When I graduated, I graduated from Lindy's, too. In 2004, after my husband and I got engaged, I started looking at ways to save money on our wedding and honeymoon. If I joined a company called PRT Travel, I was promised that I would save thousands on travel. We loved to travel, and this seemed like a no-brainer. I paid the $119 and joined. We received some terrific discounts on our own travel, and I started booking travel for my friends through my "website" that PRT Travel set up for me-- and for which I paid an additional $19.95 per month. In about three months, I personally booked $45,000 in travel. I got a check for $15. That's all. FIFTEEN DOLLARS. When I called the company to find out where my 40% commission was, the woman said to me, "Oh, I didn't realize that anyone ever booked travel. That was a referral fee." Apparently, I was involved in a classic pyramid scheme, and I had no idea. I was furious. When we returned from our heavily discounted honeymoon at a fantastic resort, I went on a rampage. First, I wrote letters to IATA and CLIA, telling them of what PRT Travel did to me. They were none too happy, and said that they had received complaints before. Next, I went down to my county clerk and registered for a DBA (Doing Business As) certificate. Third, I applied and paid for a membership into CLIA. Once I received my membership, I transferred all of the accounts I made for the bookings that I did under PRT Travel over to my company-- Which i also called PRT Travel (Popular Resorts Transcontinental Travel). Then, I waited. I followed up with both IATA and CLIA a few months later, and found out that PRT Travel's accreditation was destroyed. They lost all of their certifications, and finally had to change their name to something new: Global Travel Trends. This company was a card mill that was ripping people off. It was a disgrace. I decided to focus on my travel business. I networked and marketed myself as much as I could. I focused on Sandals and Beaches resorts, and even went on one of their familiarization trips in 2009. Between August 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010, I personally booked over $750,000 in travel just for Sandals and Beaches. Money was coming in left and right, which was so nice. I was able to work from home, which was very important to me since I had twins in 2008. I wanted to be able to work from home as much as I possibly could. I actually got so busy with my travel and destination wedding business, I opened a shop less than a mile away from my home. Six people work for me regularly part-time, and I started offering the opportunity to be a travel agent from home... And 52 people around the world joined my company and have been earning money. It's a really great feeling to be able to offer others the opportunity to become a success the way that I have, and to go on a bunch of different free or low-cost trips. Speaking of which, I have been on some unbelievable trips. Most recently, my friend and assistant Ebony and I went on the inaugural cruise of the Norwegian Epic. I didn't pay a dime to do it, either! I was also invited on the inaugural cruises of the Ruby Princess and the Oasis of the Seas, but couldn't go to either one of them. One of the independent contractors, Laura, went on the Ruby Princess, though, and got me a bunch of great souvenirs. This Fall, my family and I are going to Disney World, and I get in for free. Oh, and I finished the training offered by Cunard, and was given a free cruise for two on the Queen Mary 2. My friends and family have all benefited from my business, which I think is awesome. The best part, however, is that I get to work anywhere I want, any time I want. I get to spend my time with my family, and adjust my schedule around family activities and events. I have been able to give discounts to friends so that we have been able to vacation together. I have afforded the opportunity to people to earn a significant amount of money for a low registration fee, and it is totally legitimate. My methods are proven for success. All people have to do is put in time and effort-- But when and how they want to. My business is family friendly. I was able to have a big BBQ for all of the families of the people that work for me. It was great. Next year, I hope that I am successful enough to take everyone on a cruise! (That is, the six people that work in my office, not all of the independent contractors.) I want to have a nice Christmas party with Santa for all of the kids, too. I have so many plans, and I know that I will be able to do them all. People have nagged and nagged me to get a "real job"-- To this day! Fortunately, I have the support of the two most important people in my life: my husband and my mom. With them, I know that I am a success. This is a "real job". I have made well over $50,000 this year, and that is just booking and planning on my own. I'm not a Liberty Travel or tour company. I am 33 years old. I started my business from the ground up. And, if I can do it, anyone can. If you are interested in becoming a travel agent and working from home, please visit my website at http://www.candycaintravel.com/?page_id=353 for more details and to register. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!  |
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