Wandering with Chelsey Website: https://wanderingwithchelsey.com/ 

Chelsey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseykimbrough/ 

Summary: In this episode of the No BS podcast, Marcie Muensterman interviews Chelsey, a travel advisor who shares her journey from a full-time job to becoming a travel advisor while navigating personal challenges, including the loss of her parents. Chelsey discusses her experiences with multi-level marketing (MLM) in the travel industry, the importance of finding the right host agency, and the strategies she implemented to build her business successfully. The conversation highlights resilience, independence, and the realities of being a travel advisor. In this conversation, Marcie Muensterman and Chelsey discuss the transformative journey of becoming a successful travel advisor. They explore the importance of commitment to learning, building lasting client relationships, and navigating the challenges of the travel industry. The discussion emphasizes the need for professional insurance, setting boundaries, and the significance of charging fees for services. Chelsey shares her personal growth and future aspirations, highlighting the importance of treating the travel advisory business with professionalism and care.

Takeaways:

Marcie Muensterman introduces herself as a burnout survivor and veteran travel advisor.

Chelsey shares her unique background as a travel advisor from a rural area.

The transition to becoming a travel advisor was influenced by personal circumstances.

Chelsey experienced significant personal loss while starting her travel business.

Survival mode became a theme during challenging times in her life.

Understanding the differences between MLMs and traditional host agencies is crucial.

Finding the right host agency can significantly impact a travel advisor's success.

Implementing business strategies and charging fees transformed Chelsey's approach.

The importance of setting boundaries with clients and managing expectations is emphasized.

Resilience and adaptability are key traits for success in the travel industry. You need to go to Expedia.

Qualifying clients properly is essential.

Commitment to change leads to success.

You won't see change without effort.

Getting uncomfortable is necessary for growth.

Building client relationships is key to sustainability.

Managing client expectations is crucial during vacations.

Professional insurance is a safety net for advisors.

Charging fees is a sign of professionalism.

Treat your travel advisory business seriously.

Titles:

From Burnout to Business: Chelsey's Travel Journey

Navigating Loss and Building a Travel Business

The Realities of MLMs in the Travel Industry

Finding Your Place as a Travel Advisor

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

The Importance of Choosing the Right Host Agency

Embracing Independence in Travel Advisory

Sound Bites:

"I am your burnout survivor."

"I think I would love this."

"I was just freaking surviving the day."

"It's a stepping stone, right?"

"I love that I could even niche down."

"I was like, okay, I'm feeling this."

"I was so tired of working for free."

"You need to go to Expedia."

"If you are committed to change, you can change."

"You will not have change in your business."

"You have to get uncomfortable."

"You can control when people travel."

"You need to charge a fee."

"This is your business. Treat it like one."

"You have to do it scared."

Chapters:

00:00

Introduction to Chelsey's Journey

03:24

Transitioning to Travel Advisor

05:40

Navigating Personal Loss and Business

09:30

Understanding MLMs in Travel

17:51

Finding the Right Host Agency

24:00

Embracing Independence in Travel

32:11

Implementing Business Strategies and Fees

39:00

Embracing Change in Travel Advisory

41:51

The Importance of Commitment and Learning

44:47

Building Client Relationships for Life

47:57

Navigating Challenges in the Travel Industry

51:01

Personal Growth and Business Development

53:50

Managing Client Expectations During Vacations

56:50

The Value of Professional Insurance

01:00:10

Setting Boundaries and Charging Fees

01:03:01

Future Goals and Aspirations

Host Agency Reviews and Steph Lee: https://hostagencyreviews.com/   

Legato Host Link: https://legatohost.com/   

The Resorts of the Riviera Maya: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theresortsoftherivieramaya 

PODCAST11 is a code to save 11% on all my Signature Courses: www.thetraveladvisormarcie.com/courses 

Keywords: travel advisor success, travel industry challenges, choosing a host agency, MLM vs. host agency, travel business strategies, resilience in entrepreneurship, overcoming personal loss in business, independence as a travel advisor, client management tips, effective travel planning, travel advisory insights, building strong client relationships, commitment to learning in travel, business growth for travel advisors, navigating the travel industry, professional insurance for travel advisors, why travel advisors should charge fees, charging fees in the travel industry, personal growth for entrepreneurs