How long have you been in the business? 18 years.
What was your first job? Working in my parents’ steakhouse restaurant in Lethbridge.
Tell me about your first airplane ride. When my mum flew home from Toronto to Regina for Christmas - I was 6 months old so you could say I started early!
Do you have a specialty? Leisure travel in general with a focus on cruising and FIT. I like to create packages to Europe and Australia.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? Marketing in retail travel and assisting agents in self-marketing to their clients.
What was your best FAM? I just went to Ireland. I loved the people and that we got to see Belfast - which was a real eye opener for me. Now I know that you have to see Northern Ireland too.
What drives you crazy? People who don’t help themselves. People who say, “I don’t care where I go,” when they should care. There are so many great resources out there!
What was your biggest individual sale? A family to China last year – they stayed at all high end properties and did a lot of touring. Close to $90,000.
Do you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “Is this on your Sears account?”
Do you have any time management strategies? I like to write myself a to-do list and follow that – and it’s on paper. I really like to be able to cross it off. It allows me to feel the accomplishment.
What do you do to keep you clients loyal? I consistently touch base with them, with monthly newsletters, emailed specials once or twice a month and invitations to seminars.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? “Work hard and be happy.”
If you had to spend six months in a destination, which one would you pick? If it were somewhere I haven’t been, China; or to somewhere I have been, it would be Italy. Loved the wine and the food, history, scenery, culture – everything.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I would be an elementary school teacher. I love their innocence at that age and the willingness to learn.
If you’d like to be featured in Up Front, please email martha@openjaw .com
