How long have you been in the business? Since taking a travel and tourism course in 2001.
How has the business changed since you started? When I first started, “home based” was kind of a dirty word - and now tour operators, travel agents even non-travel people are working from home.
Do you have a specialty? Asia and adventure travel.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? Tour escort.
What drives you crazy? Discounters!
How do you keep up on industry affairs? Open Jaw is my first contact, after that I read all the trades and talk to everyone about travel.
What was your biggest individual sale? My first! A $36,000 trip to New Zealand.
Do you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “Do you want to pay a deposit or the full amount today?”
Any time management strategies? Since I work from home the biggest thing is to shut my door and let my husband take care of incoming calls so I can concentrate.
What do you do to keep you clients loyal? Make them feel like I’m their best friend.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? Two, actually: “Everything you do is related to everything you do.” And “Try everything you are afraid of.”
What’s the most exciting thing about Travel Counsellors? New life! Positivity, background and support, the feeling that you matter and that this is a worldwide company – it’s very exciting!
