How Nicola took her travel business — and her dog Brutus — on the road to Crete, while staying connected with her fellow consultants

3 min read

Let’s give a big shoutout to Nicola, one of our inspiring travel consultants who’s proving that remote working doesn’t mean doing it alone. 

She recently hit an exciting milestone — running her business from the sun-drenched island of Crete, with her trusty sidekick Brutus by her side.

It all began with a visit to a friend on the island last year. The sunshine, the sea, the slower pace of life — it stuck with her. So this year, she went for it. Nicola packed her bags, popped Brutus (a French Bulldog-Shih Tzu mix) in the car, and set off across Europe.

There were stops in Champagne, Bologna, Lake Como, and Athens before settling into her new home — a cosy Airbnb just a short walk from the beach.

Nicola joined The Travel Franchise in August 2023, after a long career in hospitality. Now, she works around 30 hours a week, doing something she loves — and doing it her way.

“It’s been hard work building my client list, but so worth it. Right now I’ve got some big quotes out, and I’m loving getting to know the local expat community too.”

When You Join, You Join a Community

Though Nicola runs her own business from the UK and sometimes further afield, she’s stayed close with the consultants from her five-day virtual training group — and they’ve already taken their first trip together. 

Just before moving to Crete, Nicola jetted off to Marrakesh with fellow consultants Gina, Linda, and Cheryl for a short but unforgettable break.

“It was such great fun. We’ve all agreed to take a trip together every year — but only to places none of us have visited before! It’s a brilliant way to explore and build confidence in selling new destinations.”

This is what The Travel Franchise is all about: independence with connection. You might run your own business, but you’re never on your own. You’ll meet fellow consultants at UK events, overseas retreats, and — like Nicola — you might even plan your own trips together.

Business Growth, Backed by Support

Nicola is also a great example of how to make the most of the tools we give you. Through our Partner in Travel scheme, she teamed up with her local social club — and turned conversations into bookings.

“I’ve had quite a few enquiries from club members. A few months ago, six of them asked about doing Route 66. We met up at the club to talk through ideas, and within a week, I’d secured an £18k booking!”

And she’s not stopping there. Nicola is now hosting a ‘Meet the Expert’ event with Ambassador Cruises at the club — a smart way to attract new business and deepen client relationships.

More Than a Business — It’s a Shared Journey

Nicola’s story is a great reminder of what’s possible when you join a network of supportive, driven people who share your passion for travel and success.

Ready to see if it’s right for you?
No pressure. Just honest conversations and real answers.

Jenny Farenden

Jenny Farenden

Head of The Travel Franchise

Jenny has spent the better part of two decades helping franchise businesses grow – not just in numbers, but in reputation, reach, and meaning. She joined The Travel Franchise in 2022 and has been central to its transformation into the most recognised and awarded travel franchise in the UK.

View all posts by Jenny

Learn how it works instantly!

Your instant access to all our presentations is one e-mail away!

The Travel Franchise
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can read our Privacy Policy here.