Not everyone has savings to invest in a franchise, but some people are so determined to switch careers that they take out a loan.
Often, franchisees like Lynette, a mum of two who had never worked in travel, opt for our most affordable travel franchise, running it in their spare time alongside a full-time job.
Lynette had researched other travel franchises before joining Not Just Travel “but they were either too expensive or needed a full-time commitment.”
“The Lite package had a low start-up cost so I went to the bank and borrowed enough money to cover it (£2,995 + vat) and a year’s maintenance fees (£299 per month/£3,588 in total),” says Lynette.
The package essentially gave her a business in a box: agent training, booking systems, access to over 450 tour operators and support from a team of experienced travel staff at head office.
And she didn’t have to wait long to see a return in her investment
“In the first month I sold £30,000 in sales straight out of training,” she says, adding that she was only working in her spare time.
Lynette had worked for a bank in the city for 15 years and as her family relied on her salary, she was reluctant to give it up before her travel business grew.
She continued her City job four days a week, spending evenings, weekends and every Monday on her travel business until she knew it would bring in the equivalent of her London wage.
“My goal was to make this my career, my sole source of income because everyone wants to do a job they are passionate about,” says Lynette admitting she found banking repetitive and travel an exciting career change.
Even though Lynette launched her business in 2020 during Covid – and was homeschooling two children aged eight and five along with her husband – Lynette’s business was buoyant from the very beginning.
Just two months after launch, Lynette went back to the bank for a top-up loan to upgrade from our Lite package to the £14,995 Elite package, which offers franchisees the opportunity to win back the cost of their investment if they reach certain sales milestones in a year.
“For me, I thought ‘I can do this – I have to go for it’,” said Lynette who admits her husband was a bit dubious about taking out another loan.
“I knew I was capable of achieving my goals,” says Lynette who once studied travel and tourism at school, college and university.
“It paid off because I hit that money-back challenge target in just nine months!”
Lynette finally left her City job in December 2022, selling more holidays in January 2023 working full time on her business than the previous 4 months put together.
“January has been super busy as everyone has a thirst to travel again – I’ve sold 200k-worth of travel this month.”
“Some people take (a travel franchise) on as a sideline or a hobby, but my goal was to make this my career and now I am able to bring in a similar, if not better wage, but have that all important work life balance.”
Lynette admits it’s hard work.
“But if you have the time and the determination to build the business then you can absolutely achieve your dreams. For 2023 I plan to double the growth of my business and look to hire someone to manage admin as bookings continue to soar.
“Swapping the rat race for a job in travel that I love means so much more than I ever imagined.”
Lynette says part of her success is due to the help she gets from her Business Development Manager, just one example of the level of support every consultant gets from head office.
But Lynette’s clearly also good with people and loves planning holidays and making her clients happy.
“I am passionate about planning travel, some would say obsessive!
“One of the abilities I have is to build that rapport and trust with a stranger.”
Her message to customers?
“I am not a call centre. I care about you and your holiday. I want you to have a good experience and I appreciate any business you give me.”
