Where
were you born?
In Barrie, Ontario – my father was in the army
and based there.
What
was your first job?
When I was 14 I started working as a cashier at
McDonald’s in Gatineau. I loved that McDonald's set such high
expectations for their staff. It was interesting being an anglo in a
francophone environment!
Tell
me about your first airplane ride. I flew out to Vancouver to visit my
boyfriend. Very romantic!
How
long have you been in the business?
This
month I celebrate my first anniversary! I worked for 19 years in international development with the Canadian
International Development Agency.
Did
you travel a lot in that job?
All the time, to many developing countries including
Thailand, which I love. I’m lucky to have been to over 60 countries around the
world.
So
as a newcomer and an independent agent, how are you structuring your business?
I am very upfront with my
clients about being fee-based – for example, $500 to plan a honeymoon. I find that my clients respect that and don’t
take advantage of my time.
How
do you thank your clients for referring you? My husband and I have “adopted” an olive
tree in Italy and I’ll send a bottle of olive oil from that orchard as a thank
you.
Do
you have a specialty?
I’m working on it! But definitely in the luxury realm.
Who
do you most admire in the industry?
Lucy Viera, my
director at TTI. She has an unbelievable
work ethic and is a terrific problem solver.
What
drives you crazy?
When a supplier calls a product “luxury” and
it’s not. It might be good value for
money, but not for the really discerning client.
What’s
the first thing you do when you get into a hotel room? Put on my flip flops!
Do
you have a magic sentence to close the sale?
“I know exactly what you want.”
Do
you have any time management strategies?
Yes: I put
my phone in a different room and turn off the sound on my computer.
If
you had to spend six months in a destination, which one would you pick?
Santorini, Greece, in the
winter, when all the tourists have gone!
What
do you do to keep your clients loyal?
Build trust. They know I cannot sell what I don’t believe in and share the same
values they do.
If
you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I’d
probably be in advertising – I’d love to come up with slogans and marketing
ideas!
If
you or someone you know who is a front line travel agent in Canada would like
to be featured in Biting Questions, please contact us.
