In August 2024, Donna had had enough.
Her marketing career demanded long hours – constant stress – and little joy.
“I was super, super stressed,” she remembers. “I just decided I was going to leave my job – crazily or bravely – and go find something else to do.”
On holiday soon after, Donna finally had space to think. Life, she realised, was too short to stay stuck in a role that drained her. If she was going to start again, it had to be with something she loved – travel.
She’d followed The Travel Franchise for a while but now the timing felt right. She had some inheritance money left to her from her father so she decided to use it to take the leap and sign up, grabbing the very last place in October training.
It was a smart move. Autumn is a fantastic time to join. You get to get up to speed before the peak holiday booking season which typically runs from January to March.
Donna opted for our most popular Elite franchise package for two good reasons. Not only does it include two free mentorship retreats abroad but it gives you the chance to win your franchise fee back if you hit a set commission target in your first year.
For Donna, the target was thrilling. But when she achieved it in under nine months, it wasn’t just joy and relief that she felt…
“It was emotional. I lost my dad seven years ago. He never got to enjoy his pension. He never got to travel and he loved it. So for me it was one of the biggest drivers. I always wanted to use his money to go on a special trip – and now I can.”
And Donna knows exactly what that trip will be…
Just weeks after launching, she booked a customer a £35,000 luxury cruise after she followed our top tip: tell everyone what you do!
She told a friend who said she looking to book a luxury adventure cruise and, although she’d never been on a cruise in her life, she researched carefully and – with support from the cruise team – discovered Explora Journeys and knew it would be just the match for her client – especially as she found them a great deal.
“The downside of this job,” she laughs, “is seeing so many amazing places that I want to go myself! And this cruise line is really incredible.”
Donna’s already enjoying the perks of her job.
Right now she’s relaxing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, enjoying a 40% discount at a Riu hotel thanks to agent discounts.
“We’ve taken advantage of that – it’s a fantastic saving, plus I get to explore the places I can then book for my customers.”
And even whilst away, she’s been able to take bookings. “I’ve been in America for a couple of weeks and now I’m in Mexico. To be able to open your laptop and do a booking is great. I made a lovely Maldives booking last week – and hopefully another cruise this week.”
Building a business with real support
Donna admits she needed a break. She’s had to work hard – but she never worked alone.
“The support has been incredible,” she says.
Every consultant gets a personal business consultant (BC). For Donna, her BCs have been “truly inspiring” – setting weekly goals, keeping her motivated, and helping her see what was possible.
Add in the head office team of travel experts – always on hand via WhatsApp – and she knew she had a safety net. “Even when I made mistakes, they reassured me: ‘It’s okay, this happens.’ That gave me the confidence to keep going.”
She laughs now at how often she messaged our support team with “silly questions” in the early days. “The head office team are incredible.”
Not only are they there to help you if you get stuck, they also do all the ticketing for you.
She also found strength in our thriving community of travel agents. At our Millionaire’s Retreat in Turkey, nearly 90 franchisees stayed together at a TUI resort – sharing stories, tips and encouragement.
“It makes you realise everyone else is learning too. You’re not alone.”
She left with new knowledge, new motivation – and a WhatsApp group that’s still buzzing with support.
“I’m sociable and while I do miss the daily chats of an office, thanks to the wider network and weekly mentoring calls with BCs, I don’t feel isolated. I’m planning to work from a local café too – so I don’t just stay at home all week and it might bring new clients too.”
Big bookings – and bigger confidence
So how has Donna found most of her clients? At first, like most of our franchisees, she says she relied on friends and family. Then she stepped outside her comfort zone.
“I’m no social media expert,” she says, “but LinkedIn has been brilliant. The people I’m connected with are cash rich, time poor – they just need someone to take the problem away.”
Bit by bit, she’s built her reputation for tailor-made travel – complex, multi-country trips that demand expertise and care.
“The buzz when a customer says thank you… or when I solve a problem for them while they’re away – it’s amazing. That’s when you see the value of a travel consultant.”
And that’s one of her favourite things about her new career.
“I love it,” Donna says. “It’s been a steep learning curve – I’ve really pushed myself – but I love being able to help people.”
Now she’s determined to continue to grow her business and learn more about cruise from our cruise team of experts. She’s attended all our optional online cruise training and signed up for our autumn Platinum Conference – a five-day cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line around the Bahamas.
After all, she doesn’t want to just sell travel – she wants to experience it too.
Her advice to anyone on the fence? Don’t wait as long as she did.
“Take a chance. You never know if you don’t do it. What’s the worst that can happen? You learn a new industry – you learn how to run your own business. Your confidence grows so much. I’m a different person now.”
From stressed-out corporate days to taking bookings whilst abroad – Donna has proved what’s possible. She’s gained freedom and fulfillment by using her father’s legacy to start a new life. She can use the full refund of her £14,995 franchise fee on a dream cruise.
And the best part? She’s only just getting started.
