Where were you born? In Halifax.
How long have you been in the business? 19 years. I started out working with Northwest Airlink, a commuter carrier for Northwest, in Fredericton.
What was your first ever job? A cashier in Shoppers Drug Mart.
Tell me about your first airplane ride. The one that stands out was visiting my mother during her yearlong teacher’s exchange in Australia. That was when I was in high school.
How has the business changed since you got into it? There’s a lot more experienced clients doing their research themselves. I don’t find the internet a negative thing for us – it saves us a lot of time. It makes it easier for us!
Do you have a specialty? My big thing is my Sandals and Beaches sales – I’m at the highest level as a Certified Sandals Platinum agent with over 250 sales. I’ve been to all of their properties and I take a group of 30 to 60 people every April to one of the Sandals or Beaches resorts. I’ve already got 30 people booked for next year! I’m very passionate about the product.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? Hmm… I really am doing what I love.
What was your best FAM? To Club Med, Cancun because I found it so much fun. I’ve never done a Sandals FAM since I go all the time.
What drives you crazy? Not a lot!
What was your biggest individual sale? A big family to Beaches Turks and Caicos - $24,000 for a family of six.
Do you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “I’d really appreciate having your business.” I always try to show a little bit of passion.
Do you have any time management strategies? I do use my hard copy day timer like crazy.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? “Everything can be fixed.”
If you had to spend 6 months in a destination, which one would you pick? Australia.
If you’d like to be featured in Up Front, please e-mail martha@openjaw .com
