Ananda Spa - https://www.anandaspa.com/
Score Mentorship - https://www.score.org/
Qwoted - https://www.qwoted.com/
Studio Roam Travel Website - https://studioroamtravel.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/studioroamtravel

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In the last episode of Season 2 of The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, host Marcie Muensterman sits down with Elena Rodriguez, founder of Studio Roam (formerly Atlas & Aura), a new travel advisor, single mom by choice, and sustainability-driven entrepreneur who’s rewriting what success looks like in the travel industry.

Elena opens up about her journey from the fashion world to full-time travel advising, navigating motherhood, building systems from scratch, and choosing purpose over perfection. She shares how yoga, meditation, and manifestation keep her grounded while running both a corporate job and her own travel business, and why she believes sustainability and wellness must be part of every client’s itinerary.

Marcie and Elena dive into everything from charging fees and setting boundaries to manifesting the business you want, while keeping it real about burnout, motherhood, and building a village.

This episode is packed with practical, heart-centered advice for any travel advisor ready to align their business with who they really are.

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Time

00:00 Intro: Resilience, Self-Trust, and Starting Fresh

02:45 Meet Elena Rodriguez — Founder of Studio Roam

05:30 Becoming a Single Mom by Choice

08:40 From Fashion to Travel: The Transferable Skills

12:10 Balancing Motherhood, Work, and Entrepreneurship

16:20 Boundaries & Burnout: Lessons from a Ghosting Client

20:15 Charging Fees and Building Confidence Early

25:30 Sustainability and Wellness in Family Travel

31:00 The Power of Manifestation + Action

36:10 Coaching and Mentorship: Why Guidance Matters

40:40 The Future of Studio Roam: Freedom, Beauty, and Balance

44:00 Elena’s Unpopular Opinion: Manifestation Isn’t Woo-Woo, It’s Work

48:30 3 Free Things Every Travel Advisor Should Do Right Now

52:00 Closing: Owning Your Story and Standing in Your Power

travel advisor, single mom, motherhood, resilience, manifestation, sustainable travel, work-life balance, travel business, wellness travel, yoga, meditation, fashion industry, boundaries, charging fees, client experience, travel consulting, mentorship, luxury travel, wellness retreats, sustainability, family travel, entrepreneurship, manifestation, new advisor, business mindset

Website | www.theunfilteredtraveler.com

TT: @theunfilteredtraveler

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In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, host Marcie Muensterman sits down with Rachel McDowell, a retired Army veteran, mom of twins, and the founder of The Unfiltered Traveler.

Rachel shares how she went from 24 years of military structure to building a travel business grounded in freedom, balance, and joy. She opens up about managing the transition from structured sales to endless options, setting boundaries, and redefining success as a travel advisor.

Together, Marcie and Rachel unpack what it means to run a travel business that supports your real life, not consumes it. They dive into Rachel’s women’s adventure groups (including her sold-out Machu Picchu trip!), working alongside her husband on big-game and fishing travel, and her family’s plans to relocate to Portugal for a slower lifestyle.

This episode is packed with real talk about motherhood, mindset, money, and the travel industry, showing advisors that finding what you love to sell is what creates freedom.

00:00 – Introduction to Rachel McDowell
02:44 – Balancing Family and Business
05:21 – From Military to Travel Industry
08:15 – Sales Lessons: Recruiting vs. Selling Travel
10:59 – Finding Her Niche: Adventure & Europe FIT
13:47 – Planning Women’s Adventure Trips
16:35 – Behind the Scenes of the Machu Picchu Trip
19:17 – Preparing Clients for Adventure Travel
22:06 – Building Community in Group Travel
24:47 – Shifting to True Work-Life Balance
27:23 – Lessons from the Travel Industry
30:53 – Mindset Shifts & Client Engagement
32:24 – Boundaries and Better Relationships
33:51 – Building Connection-Based Client Loyalty
35:44 – Creating a Supportive Client Network
37:19 – Navigating Business with Family
42:43 – The Decision to Move to Portugal
45:43 – Adjusting to a Slower, More Intentional Lifestyle
49:31 – Practical Tips for Travel Agents
55:58 – Rachel’s Unpopular Opinion on Profit and Passion

“Military taught me structure. Motherhood taught me flexibility. Travel gave me freedom.” — Rachel McDowell

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What does it really take to build a profitable travel business when your plate is already overflowing? In this episode, I sit down with April Peter, founder of The Vacay Way LLC, who hit $ 600,000 in sales in her very first year as a travel advisor, all while being a full-time RN, homeschooling her daughter, caring for her mom, and managing ADHD and anxiety.

April shares the messy, real, and powerful story of how she went from struggling with imposter syndrome to becoming a confident CEO. From charging fees and setting calendar boundaries to leveraging TikTok to attract luxury clients, April proves that you can design a travel business that works for your life, not the other way around.

Whether you’re new to travel or stuck in hustle-mode, this conversation will light a fire under your ass.

Website: https://thevacayway.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevacaycollective

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thevacayway

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevacayway/

Mexperts: https://www.exploremoremexico.com/a/2147513843/dELvGckf 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

0:00 – Intro: Meet April, The Vacay Way LLC
2:15 – Life behind the business: nursing, caregiving, homeschooling, ADHD
6:40 – From nurse to travel advisor: how it all started
10:05 – Defining luxury travel & main character vacations
14:20 – Overcoming imposter syndrome & building confidence
19:50 – The $14K booking that changed everything
25:10 – Implementing systems, fees & appointment-only consults
30:45 – Why TikTok became her #1 luxury client magnet
36:00 – Boundaries, calendars, and saying no
40:30 – April’s advice: charge fees, own your time, and stop being 24/7
45:00 – What’s next: $1M sales & main character energy in business

Website: https://mirandaleachcollective.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mirandaleachcollective/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mirandaleachcollective 

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In this episode of the No BS Travel Advisor podcast, Marcie Muensterman and Miranda Leach share their “business bestie love story” of collaboration, growth, and real talk. From surviving MLM life to redefining success as entrepreneurs, they dig into the lessons learned through branding, marketing, and mindset.

We didn’t meet through some perfectly polished mastermind, but we were introduced by someone who knew us both. We met in the messy middle of my big pivot from MLM to solo entrepreneur. My business was pivoting hard; I needed a website that finally reflected me, and I was exhausted from months of looking for a web designer. Gratefully, we had a mutual friend who knew we would click!

Miranda came in as my designer, then became my coach, and eventually my friend. But let’s be clear: it wasn’t all a match made in friendship heaven from the jump. There’s a 20-year age difference between us, two totally different life stages, and plenty of moments where we’ve had to set boundaries, say the hard stuff, and rebuild our trust. That’s precisely why our friendship and business partnership work, because it’s built on honesty, grit, and zero bullshit.

Now, almost 3 years later, we’re sitting upstairs in her retro-fabulous East Tennessee home office during a girls' weekend, talking about the real cost of growing a business: the hours, the money, the tears, the mindset shifts, the money issues, and the small wins that change everything.

We also answer YOUR questions from the community about scarcity mindset, luxury clients, selfies, marketing with limited time, and what success actually looks like. Whether you’re a travel advisor, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you see the business journey differently and give you the tools to show up as the CEO of your own story.

What we cover:

This episode is for any travel advisor, entrepreneur, or service-based business owner who’s asking:

We go all the way in on resourcefulness, gratitude practices, selfies, how to amplify your day to day life in luxurious ways without spending tons of money, branding, Facebook groups, and what success really looks like when you build your business from scratch.

00:00 Introduction + backstory: MLM to meeting Miranda
02:32 Building a business together: the messy beginning
05:29 Navigating challenges + building trust with a 20-year age gap
08:18 Business dynamics and communication
11:06 Why clarity + confidence matter in growth
13:56 Miranda’s coaching philosophy (Confidence • Clarity • Conversion)
16:26 Personal branding and marketing strategies
19:26 Authenticity > aesthetics in branding
21:56 Creating connection through personality
25:00 Visibility and consistency: why your face beats your logo
27:27 Overcoming obstacles in business growth
39:46 Aligning freebies with business goals
44:28 Understanding the emotional investment in business
51:05 Overcoming scarcity mindset (Miranda’s bank app story)
56:31 The power of affirmations and journaling
01:01:43 Gratitude as a tool for abundance
01:08:00 Romanticizing everyday moments
01:14:35 Marketing when you only have one hour a week
01:19:44 Maximizing ROI on time + content
01:24:00 Building trust through authenticity
01:27:43 Budget-conscious marketing resources
01:31:58 Attracting luxury clients when your circle isn’t luxury
01:43:57 Overcoming self-doubt in content creation (yes, selfies)
01:50:27 Redefining success beyond financial income

travel advisor business, travel agent marketing, how to get luxury travel clients, personal branding tips for travel advisors, Main Character Magic Bot, Facebook group growth, business mindset, money mindset, online business coach, resourcefulness in business, consistency in marketing, selfies for personal brand, confidence clarity conversion framework.

Websites: 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidegirlmegann

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtravelingwanders/

TitkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guidegirltravelco

Mr. William’s PreK Pause credit: https://www.instagram.com/mrwilliamsprek/ 

Ranch and Rock Creek (pays 10% to agents direct): https://theranchatrockcreek.com/ 

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In this episode of The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, Marcie sits down with Megan Whitley Medlin, founder of Guide Girl Travel Co., mom of four, and badass group trip leader. Megan shares her journey from embroidery shops and fitness studios to building a slow-but-mighty travel business while raising her kids and running an Airbnb.

She opens up about the leap of faith it took to sign her first group trip contract, what it was like leading 11 women through Montana’s national parks, and how magical moose sightings turned into lifetime memories.

Together, Marcie and Megan get real about:

Megan’s story proves that you don’t have to hustle yourself into burnout to build a profitable, fulfilling travel business. Whether you’re a mom balancing sports schedules or a new advisor learning to say no, this episode will inspire you to slow down, set your own pace, and build a business that feels good.

Travel advisor podcast, No BS Travel Advisor, group trips, national parks, Montana travel, moose sightings, DMCs, destination management company, niche travel, calendar control, travel business tips, travel advisor success, escorted trips, family travel advisor, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, travel industry coaching, Propose to Close, Commission with a Comma, Guide Girl Travel Co, slow growth business

Marissa Grace Artistry IG:  https://www.instagram.com/marissagraceartistry

Melissa Esposito’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/vacationsbymelissa

My bucks county/south jersey TAs: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FYraqrCXz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Websites:

  - https://www.destinationweddinguniversity.com/ 

  - https://www.dwhsa.com/ 

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In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Marcie sits down with Melissa Esposito—a mom, entrepreneur, and seasoned travel advisor—to talk about the realities of parenting teens with ADHD while growing a business in the ever-changing travel industry.

Melissa shares her transition from hairstylist to travel advisor, highlighting how relationship-building, authenticity, and community support carried her through some of the toughest seasons—especially during COVID. The two discuss the power of mentorship, the importance of branding with clarity, and why charging fees creates healthier client relationships.

This episode dives deep into the messy, real-life balance of health, family, and business, while reminding travel advisors that showing up imperfectly is not only okay—it’s the key to growth.

00:00 – Introduction to Melissa Esposito
02:43 – Parenting teenagers with ADHD
05:30 – Discovering travel advisory
08:04 – Building relationships in the travel industry
11:07 – From hairstylist to travel advisor
13:46 – The importance of community and support
16:39 – Establishing independence in business
19:34 – The evolution of Melissa’s travel business
22:09 – The power of collaboration and networking
24:47 – Creating a brand with purpose
26:34 – Why a memorable business name matters
30:01 – The impact of COVID-19 on travel advisors
33:12 – Resilience in the face of adversity
36:29 – The evolution of travel advisory services
40:39 – Building community in the travel industry
44:52 – Personal and professional growth lessons
53:05 – Lessons learned from hairstyling
56:38 – Authenticity in social media
59:21 – Building trust through service
01:01:50 – Navigating personal health challenges
01:06:53 – Awareness of wellness in business
01:10:32 – Evolving perspectives on entrepreneurship
01:15:08 – Embracing change and self-care
01:19:48 – Community as the backbone of growth
01:23:11 – Networking and mentorship in travel
01:26:39 – Three free tips for travel advisors
01:33:09 – Being authentic in business
01:38:44 – Destination weddings and their controversy

ADHD, parenting, teenagers, travel advisory, destination weddings, business growth, entrepreneurship, COVID-19 impact, resilience, community, mentorship, authenticity, social media, branding, fees, health, personal growth, work-life balance

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/navigating_nibbelink_travel?igsh=bHJjbHdrbDdrd2xi&utm_source=qr

How to Work With Me

https://navigatingnibbelinktravel.my.canva.site/renee-navigating-nibbelink-website

DV Franchise Website

https://dnibbelink.dreamvacations.com/home-page

My Business Coach Kelly (that I mentioned), she trains in her stories every day and gives away so much great advice for female business owners:https://www.instagram.com/walk_like_warriors?igsh=MXQ1OHd1M3BrcXN6OQ==

In this engaging conversation, Marcie and Renee discuss their experiences with hurricanes, the challenges of moving frequently due to military life, and the transition into the travel advisory business. They explore the importance of building client relationships, the learning curve in the travel industry, and the significance of having a supportive community.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of clear communication and effective processes in travel planning, as well as the personal touches that can enhance client experiences. Renee shares how building strong client relationships not only alleviates stress but also drives referrals and repeat business.

Together, they dive into the importance of confidence, structured frameworks, and collaboration among travel advisors. They emphasize the power of community, the growth opportunities in luxury travel, and how balancing family life with business responsibilities is possible when you treat your business like a serious venture.

00:00 Hurricane Experiences and Challenges
05:35 Cultural Adjustments in Europe
10:53 Becoming a Travel Advisor
22:27 Navigating the Challenges of Supplier Training
24:44 The Importance of Community Support
25:51 Gatekeeping in the Travel Industry
27:39 Creating a Safe Space for Questions
29:59 The Need for Clear Processes in Travel Planning
31:10 Transforming Business Practices with New Tools
36:14 Building Client Relationships Through Clear Communication
38:24 Personal Touches in Client Interactions
44:24 Building Relationships and Trust in Travel
46:40 The Importance of Clear Communication
47:52 Frameworks for Success in Travel
51:06 Creating a Supportive Community
55:42 Balancing Work and Family Life
58:29 Achieving Sales Success with Less Work
01:04:51 Free Strategies for Travel Agents to Grow
01:06:50 Building Connections and Learning from Experience
01:07:39 The Importance of Consistency in Marketing
01:08:39 Understanding Your Business Sources
01:09:25 The Role of Social Media in Business
01:10:22 Treating Your Business Like a Business
01:11:20 Tracking Numbers and Financial Awareness
01:12:02 Utilizing Resources and Training
01:13:00 The Challenges of Business Management
01:13:55 The Importance of Specialization
01:14:42 Finding Your Niche in Travel
01:15:45 The Value of Continuous Learning
01:16:43 Building a Supportive Community
01:17:34 The Journey of Growth and Mentorship
01:18:33 Final Thoughts on Business Success

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FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/explorewithasia

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/travelwithasialantz

Personal IG: @asiagoesplaces

Biz IG: @travelproasialantz

Website: www.travelwithasia.com 

ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors

What do Sedona pool days, a bloody house key handoff, and a sleeve of dad-joke tattoos have in common? They all belong to today’s guest, Asia Lantz, ASTA’s 2025 Travel Advisor of the Year. From waxing rooms to Liberty Travel to running her own thriving agency, Asia shares how being yourself is the best sales strategy, why MLMs are trash, and her top three no-cost tips to move your travel business forward today.

Asia went from the wax industry (yep, that kind of hair removal) to Liberty Travel’s brick-and-mortar training, to GoGo Vacations’ long-haul FIT department, and finally into her own thriving independent travel business under Nexion. She’s a data girl with spreadsheets for everything, a dual-income no-kids lifestyle, and a passion for showing clients the hidden gems of Europe and Asia.

Inside this candid conversation, we dive into:

If you’re a travel advisor who struggles with sales, marketing without being cringe, or just owning your authentic voice, you need this episode. Expect laughs, real talk, and some serious bestie energy.

Be yourself in business advice

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Chasity's Website: www.luxurytravelbychasity.com  

Chasity's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/luxurytravelbychasity  

Chasity's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxurytravelbychasity/

The Travel Advisor Marcie Website: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/

Maximize Your Travel Advisor Business: Building a Profitable TA Career: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness

This week on the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, I’m hanging out with one of my closest friends, Chasity Munn, a single mom, accountant, and thriving travel advisor who has taken every one of my courses and used them to completely reshape her business.

Even though we’ve never met in person, Chasity and I talk constantly about life, love, kids, and business. We even have “DoorDash dates,” where we order food and send each other voice notes while we eat. That’s the exact vibe of this episode and we hope you love it! This is just two girlfriends talking about the real life of running a travel business, with a TON of fluff! 

Where you can find Chasity: 

Inside this episode, we cover:

This episode blends friendship, tough love, and straight-up strategy. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can actually make money in this business without burning yourself out, or if you’ve felt guilty about leaving a client, a host, or even a past career, this conversation will change how you see your role as a travel advisor.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connections

05:38 The Emotional Toll of Work and Community

11:03 Systems and Workflows for Efficiency

13:48 Time Management and Scheduling Strategies

16:23 The Importance of Flexibility in Work

19:17 Exploring the World of Wedding Planning

21:57 Using Technology for Wedding Coordination

24:53 The Proposal Process in Wedding Planning

27:37 Navigating Client Expectations

30:27 The Art of Proposal and Options

31:40 Building Relationships with Clients

33:05 The Journey Back to Travel Advising

47:07 Lessons from COVID and Beyond

50:44 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

51:44 Building Community and Trust in Groups

53:03 The Importance of Coaching and Mentorship

54:56 Direct Communication and Coaching Styles

56:14 Implementation and Taking Action

57:10 Setting Boundaries in Business and Dating

59:18 Recognizing Worth in Relationships and Business

01:01:17 Help and Release: Navigating Client Interactions

01:03:59 Knowing Your Value and Client Fit

01:06:05 Sales Strategies and Dating Parallels

01:10:55 Understanding Client Needs and Expectations

01:17:38 The Value of Luxury Travel

01:19:43 Closing the Deal: The Importance of Timely Communication

01:22:23 Charging Fees: A Game Changer for Travel Advisors

01:25:00 Building Relationships with BDMs

01:30:34 Understanding Commission Structures

01:33:06 Transitioning Between Host Agencies

01:38:47 The Importance of Personal Travel Experience

01:41:51 Investing in Your Travel Business

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Linktree - https://linktr.ee/dschlosser  

Website - https://mindmytravel.ca  

Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/luxurytravelwithdeenagroup  

Private Solo Traveller's Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7791329977580482  

Local Solo Traveller's Club: https://mindmytravel.ca/solotravelclubregina

The Travel Advisor Marcie Website: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/

Maximize Your Travel Advisor Business: Building a Profitable TA Career: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness

In this episode of the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, I sit down with Deena Schlosser, a brand-new travel advisor, long-time paralegal, devoted caregiver, and mom who proves it’s never too late to rebuild your career and design a business that works for your life.

Deena opens up about:

✨ Plus: Deena shares 3 free things any travel advisor can do TODAY to grow their business without spending a dime. 

Listen in the carline, while having wine or at your desk with coffee. This is NOT to be missed. We tackle how her hubby eventually went beyond being concerned to protective AF when someone doesn't hire her. We laughed and we sympathized as we navigated this episode together.

If you’ve ever wondered:

…then this episode is your permission slip to go all in.

00:00 Balancing Caregiving and Career
05:33 Discovering a New Passion in Travel
11:22 Support and Community in Travel
16:58 The Importance of Supportive Leadership
26:41 The Journey to Finding Support
32:51 Building Confidence and Business Mindset
37:46 Implementing Calendar Control for Balance
43:11 Family Dynamics and Support in New Ventures
48:54 The Importance of Mindset Shifts
54:33 Charging for Your Services
59:43 The Power of Consistency
01:06:04 Creating Memorable Experiences

👉 Hit play now to learn how Deena went from overwhelmed caretaker to confident travel entrepreneur, and how you can do the same.

Keywords: travel advisor success story, new travel agent tips, Trevello host agency review, balancing caregiving and business, travel advisor fees, how to start a travel agency, commission splits for travel advisors, calendar control travel business, women in travel industry, No BS Travel Advisor Podcast.

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