How to start your own travel business from home

Have you wanted to change your life?

At the beginning of the year, like most people I decided to re-evaluate my professional career. I have to admit, I had been pretty lucky getting really good roles, with great companies. My role of Global HR Director was quite possibly the peak of my career. But was it what I wanted to do for the rest of my life?
I had moved back from the UAE to set up a new life in the UK but was hardly spending any time in the UK! I wanted to move back to be close to my aging parents – I hardly ever got to see them.
I decided that I needed to do something else!
I searched on line and figured the only thing I could possible do would be to start my own company. But what did I like to do?

Drinking
Eating
Partying
Golf
Travel
Making people laugh

Making a career out of eating, drinking and partying could lead to an early grave, so that was out, Golf – well I enjoy it, but I am crap at it, Making people laugh – there is no way I could have made a career out of it – truth be known I don’t think I do actually make people laugh, but I enjoy trying. That only left the Travel element.
I researched many different business’s (there are lots of options) but I was drawn in by The Travel Franchise with Not Just Travel. I needed something reputable, something that was established and something I believed in.
I signed up for the Travel Elite package (I tend not to do things by halves) there are many different options, most people tend to go for Travel Consultant Pro, all of which you get a great package, including Computer, training and a marketing Budget. The Franchise really help you, but what sealed the deal for me was the money back guarantee. If you make £20’000 in the first year in commissions, then you GET YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT BACK! It was a no brainer. So if I got a quarter of what I intend to earn in a year, I get a FULL refund! So technically, my own business for free!
I did my initial training in March this year, and played with my travel business part time for three months (there are others that only do this part time) and went full time in May this year. I am well on track to getting my money back! And to say I have never been a Travel Agent before!
I have had a good start, tapping into my friends and family initially, then with the knowledge I gained on the training course have used Facebook and different events, (Wedding Fairs and Networking groups) to extend my customer data-base – I am now doing at least one booking a day, but moreover – loving what I am doing.
It is so varied. I have booked for customers, Honeymoons, trips to Australia, a cottage in Dorset, car hire, accommodation only, package tours, anniversary trips, romantic weekends, a mega trip to Seychelles, South Africa and Abu Dhabi, flights to all different countries, surprise trips, airport car parking and even a trekking tour to Mongolia! No day is the same!
The support from the Franchise is amazing there are different avenues to keep in touch with other travel consultants from the group so you never feel as if you have no one out there, I do feel like I am part of a team.

But best of all I AM MAKING MONEY!!
If you are thinking of a new venture, or want to do something completely different feel free to contact me, or watch the videos on

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEOS ON HOW TO START YOUR OWN AGENCY

As an update to this (which was written in 2014) I got my money back quicker than anyone ever thought – I am set to turn over well in excess of £1.5 million pounds worth of sales this year alone…