At The Travel Franchise, we help people from all walks of life start a brand-new chapter – including those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves unable to continue in their previous careers.
We’re known as the number one franchise for people new to travel and in addition to our award-winning training and support, we have a unique incentive – achieve a set amount of commission in your first year we give you your franchise fee back!
Wendy is our latest Money-Back Challenge winner and she has an inspiring story to tell.
After a long, successful career in the police force, she found herself facing a future she never planned for – but she turned it into an incredible new opportunity to help others.
A lifelong dream put on pause
For over 23 years, Wendy served proudly as a police officer, starting as a response officer in Boscombe before rising to detective in public protection, then detective sergeant in safeguarding.
“All I ever wanted to be was a police officer,” Wendy shares. “It was more than a job — it was a calling and a team I loved being part of.”
But everything changed when Wendy began experiencing a strange tingling sensation in her hands. Within months, she lost feeling in her hands, mobility in her legs, and was left wheelchair-bound at just 37 years old.
Doctors diagnosed her with a spinal cord compression that required urgent surgery. Despite intensive physiotherapy and a heroic recovery effort that saw her walk again, the damage was life-changing.
Though she returned to policing on adjusted duties, Wendy eventually had to face medical retirement at the age of 42.
“I thought I would make a full recovery,” Wendy admits. “When that wasn’t possible, it was heartbreaking. My mental health took a real hit.”
A new career path with The Travel Franchise
Rather than give up, Wendy set her sights on finding a new purpose – one that allowed her to work from home (and help look after four children aged between 12 and 18) but continue helping others and be part of a supportive community.
After extensive research, she decided to invest in a travel franchise and in September 2024, Wendy completed her training and launched her business under our consumer-facing Not Just Travel brand.
“Having always spent my working life as part of a team, one of my concerns was that I was going to be isolated while working for myself at home. However, I’ve been happily surprised by the supportive, family feel of being a part of the Not Just Travel network.
“My mentor and Business Development Manager Paula is based right on my doorstep and so we’re able to meet for coffee. I love collaborating with the other hundreds of travel consultants across the UK too and share ideas, hints and tips and purchases for wedding fairs.”
Transitioning from the police force to travel planning
Transitioning from policing to travel may seem like a leap, but Wendy quickly found that her skills — organisation, communication and empathy — made her perfectly suited to helping clients plan the holidays of their dreams.
Her network from the emergency services community became her first loyal customers. Passionate about giving back, Wendy now donates part of her earnings to charities supporting police, firefighters, and ambulance staff through our Partners in Travel scheme.
You partner with a charity or local business and a portion of your commission goes directly back to that partner if someone they refer books with you.
Today, Wendy is thriving — balancing her business with family life, managing her health carefully, and loving every second of helping others plan their perfect getaways.
“I’m far more present as a wife and mum now,” Wendy says with a smile. “This business has given me back my independence, my purpose, and my happiness.”
Why The Travel Franchise
Wendy’s journey is just one of many. We welcome people from backgrounds like policing, teaching, healthcare — with no previous travel experience — and help them build successful businesses they can be proud of.
When you join The Travel Franchise, you get:
- Comprehensive training even if you’re brand new to travel.
- One-to-one mentoring from a personal BDM and ongoing business support.
- A vibrant community of consultants across the UK.
- The freedom to choose your own hours.
You’re in business for yourself, but never by yourself. Like Wendy.
