At The Travel Franchise, we love sharing the stories of consultants who have built something brilliant in their own way.
Janet’s journey is a great example of that. After being made redundant, she decided to take a completely new path, and today she has built a successful travel business shaped by personal service, strong relationships and a genuine passion for helping clients create unforgettable trips.
We caught up with Janet to talk about how she got started, what she learned along the way and what makes her business work so well.
What were you doing before you joined The Travel Franchise?
Before this, I worked as a paediatric dietitian and spent more than 30 years working across the NHS and pharmaceutical companies.
Travel had always been a big part of my life and career in different ways, and I had visited countries like Russia, China and Saudi Arabia through work, but I had never worked in the travel industry itself.
What made you decide to start a travel business?
I was made redundant in October 2018, and I still had a mortgage to pay, so I needed to think seriously about what came next.
I started looking at different options and came across The Travel Franchise. I joined just before Christmas, did the training in February and launched the business on 1 March.
What was it like starting out?
The business actually started really well. The first couple of months were strong, and then of course Covid hit in March, which changed everything for everyone in travel.
Instead of focusing on new bookings, I had to spend a lot of time helping clients with refunds and rearranging trips. It was a tough period, but I do think it helped build trust and goodwill because clients could see I was there for them and looking after them properly.
I also completed the Money-Back Challenge in nine months, and getting that money back really helped at that time.
How would you describe your approach to booking travel?
For me, it has always been about more than just booking a holiday.
I focus a lot on tailor-made trips and on helping people create experiences they will remember. I always try to encourage clients to think beyond the basic booking and consider the extras that will really bring the trip to life.
I think that is a big part of why clients come back to me. They know they are getting something personal.
How do you find your clients?
It comes from a mix of places really. I get business through networking, through Facebook groups, through word of mouth and often through everyday conversations.
I’m part of local groups like Maidenhead Gossip Girls, which has brought in recommendations, and I am also part of Business Network International, which has been really useful from a networking point of view.
A lot of it comes down to building relationships and being visible.
Have personal connections played a big role in growing your business?
Definitely.
One of my best clients is actually someone I met while I was on a cruise with my mum. That relationship later led to a £150,000 luxury world cruise booking, and that same client has since booked several more cruises with me.
That is a perfect example of how opportunities can come from simply meeting people and building trust over time.
What do you think makes clients come back to you?
I think a lot of it comes down to service.
I want clients to know that I am there, that they can contact me and that I care about getting things right for them. I do not see it as just processing a booking. I see it as helping people create memories and experiences they will genuinely value.
That personal approach really matters.
What advice would you give someone thinking about starting a travel business?
I think the most important thing is being realistic.
Unless you are already in a role where you are selling at high volume, you cannot expect bookings to just appear. You have to go out and find clients. You have to build connections beyond your friends and family and be willing to put yourself out there.
I also think it is important not to assume people are not travelling. Even when times are harder, holidays still matter to people. They may choose different types of trips or different budgets, but the demand is still there.
Has travel always been a family passion for you?
Yes, very much so.
My mum travelled extensively and that had a big influence on me. Travel has always been something that has run through our family life.
Now the business itself has become a family business too. I started it with my husband, who focuses on cruises, and my daughter is set to join as well.
How does that feel, having the business become such a family affair?
It is really special.
Travel has always been something important to us, so to now have a business connected to that, and to have family involved in it, makes it even more meaningful.
It is not just about work. It is something we are building together.
What do you think your story says to someone who has never worked in travel before?
I hope it shows that you do not need a traditional travel background to make this work.
I did not come from the industry. I came into it with life experience, a love of travel and a willingness to learn and put myself out there.
That is what helped me build the business I have today.
Finally, what would you say to someone who is wondering whether this could be the right path for them?
If you are passionate about travel, enjoy working with people and are prepared to put the effort in, there is a real opportunity there.
It is not something that just happens overnight, but if you are willing to build relationships, give clients great service and stay consistent, it can become something really rewarding.
What makes stories like Janet’s so relatable is that most people don’t start out knowing exactly what is possible for them. They simply know they want something more – more flexibility, more freedom, more control over their future. Janet took that first step not realising just how far it would take her, and that is often how these journeys begin. You don’t need to have it all mapped out from day one. You just need to be ready to get started and see where the opportunity could lead.
