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This week’s Hot Take is a little different. No industry headlines, no Q&A, just Robin and Jennifer walking the talk. For years, they’ve told you to refine your offers, charge your worth, and simplify your systems… so they did exactly that inside the Niche community. Hear the details on why one-size-fits-all no longer worked, what sparked the new membership tiers, and how they made the tough calls that keep Niche sustainable and seriously elevated. Some loved it, some didn’t, and that’s business, baby! 

Hit play for all the details on what’s changing, why it matters, and how this evolution is making Niche even better for everyone, from brand new advisors to the legacy members.

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You’ve nailed your Instagram content and you’re growing your email list, but when was the last time you pitched yourself to the press? Mindy Poder, Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, joins this episode to discuss one of the most underrated growth tools for travel advisors - press features. Building visibility, credibility, and authority in a crowded market matters now more than ever. And if you think getting featured in the press is only for big brands and influencers, think again! Mindy shares insider strategies for attracting media attention, avoiding common PR missteps, and cultivating long-term relationships with journalists. From pitching the right story angle to understanding what editors actually look for, this episode is packed with gold for any advisor ready to get their name in print and elevate their brand. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in the media, this conversation will leave you ready to hit “send” on that first pitch!

About Mindy Poder:

Mindy Poder is the Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West and oversees content for the Future Leaders in Travel event. A veteran travel journalist and content strategist, her work has earned top honors from the Society of American Travel Writers, and she was recognized as Travel Journalist of the Year by the North American Travel Journalists Association. She was also named one of Folio: magazine’s “30 Under 30” for her editorial leadership and big-picture content strategy. Through her role at TravelAge West, Mindy is dedicated to empowering travel advisors with the insights and inspiration they need to grow their businesses and better serve their clients.  

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This week’s Hot Take tackles a question from a Niche community member about how to prepare your business for the whirlwind stretch in January and February when travel inquiries surge (aka Wave season). Jennifer and Robin explain how to use the end of the year to reflect, audit, and refine so you enter 2026 clear on who you want to work with, confident in your systems, and ready to handle Wave season at full capacity. They also remind listeners that January and February don't look the same for everyone, and that’s okay! Success in 2026 isn’t about doing more … It's about doing what matters better. From knowing your dream clients to building repeatable systems and staying grounded when the industry gets noisy, this episode will help you enter Wave season with clarity, confidence, and total control!

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 151. Hot Take: Holiday Spending Trends

Episode 159. Hot Take: Commission Reconciliation

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→ Mark your calendar for Rep Rundown - Happening Oct. 29th & 30th!

If you’ve ever walked into a room full of successful peers and thought, “What am I even doing here?”, this episode is for you! Kerry Dyer,  Chief Development Officer at Brownell Travel, has built a career leading, mentoring, and inspiring advisors to grow thriving businesses with confidence. After delivering a powerful presentation on imposter syndrome at Virtuoso Travel Week, Jennifer and Robin knew it was essential to bring that conversation to the podcast. In this episode, Kerry unpacks what imposter syndrome really looks like, the most common triggers advisors face, and how to reframe self-doubt before it takes over. From perfectionism and comparison traps to boundaries and self-belief, she shares strategies you can start using today. You’ll walk away with tools to build confidence, celebrate your wins, and finally feel comfortable owning your expertise, because you do belong in the room!

About Kerry Dyer:

What began as a “happy accident” turned into a 30-year career in luxury travel. After earning a BFA in Art History, she joined Maritz Travel, where her passion for sales quickly emerged. She went on to spend 14 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, ultimately serving as Director of Leisure Sales for the Americas, followed by a successful tenure as Director of Sales and Marketing at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. Now, as Chief Development Officer at Brownell, she leads Marketing, Partners, and Advisor Development, bringing her deep industry expertise and leadership full circle.

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Have you ever realized you didn’t get paid because you missed one tiny step? This week’s Hot Take question comes from Katherine, who recently discovered that one of her DMCs didn’t send her commission…because she hadn’t invoiced them. (Wait, what?!) 

So, should you be sending invoices for every trip? Or only when asked? 

Robin and Jennifer break it all down: which suppliers require invoices, how to track commissions, and the one system that’ll save you from chasing payments. Press play and learn how to make sure every dollar you’ve earned actually lands in your bank account!

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Think your business isn’t “sellable”? Think again! Shay Bacani, founder of Centura Financial, joins Robin and Jennifer to discuss what it really means to build a business that can operate (and even sell) without you. She shares how to stop playing small, why profit is the number that actually matters, and how to turn your lifestyle business into a true asset. From knowing your numbers to hiring top-down and documenting everything, Shay makes the intimidating side of money and valuations feel surprisingly doable. Hit play to get your financial wake-up call and start treating your business like the valuable asset it is!

About Shay Bacani:

Shay is the founder of Centure Financial and a Certified Financial Planner who helps entrepreneurs turn lifestyle businesses into true assets. She believes every business owner should understand their numbers and how those numbers drive scalability, sustainability, and long-term valuation. With a passion for education, Shay translates complex financial concepts into actionable strategies that empower her clients to build wealth and make confident decisions. Her approachable yet strategic style has made her a trusted guide for business leaders who want to align day-to-day operations with long-term growth.

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How do you go from “I want to hit $2 million” to actually doing it? This week’s Hot Take comes from Winnie, who asked: “I would love to hear more about setting financial goals for 2026, and specifically how to ask for the referral from past clients in the most polite way. It's one thing to say my gross revenue should be over $2 million, but how do you proactively go after that business?”

Jennifer and Robin break it all down across referrals, financial goals, marketing, and metrics. You’ll learn how to identify your highest-value clients, ask for referrals that don’t feel awkward, and build repeatable systems that turn great service into sustainable growth. They also share why your next revenue leap depends more on conversion rates and client experience than chasing followers, and how SEO, email marketing, and even AI can help you land your next client. If you’re ready to break through your current ceiling and scale smarter in 2026, this one’s a must listen!

THE ROUTE TO RESULTS WORKSHOP

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November 11th & 12th | Register HERE!

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Do group bookings make your head spin? Let’s fix that! Ateet Ahuja, founder of Indian Destination Wedding, joins Jennifer to unpack the difference between group contracts and flex groups, how to choose the right route for your clients, and what it takes to manage large scale destination events with confidence. Ateet shares his journey from corporate life at Dell to planning luxury Indian weddings around the world and why niching down didn’t limit his business, it exploded it. Together, they discuss what to look for in fair attrition and cancellation terms, how to set client expectations, and how to avoid the pitfalls that trip up so many advisors. Tune in and finally feel confident saying, “I’ve got this,” the next time a group inquiry lands in your inbox!

About Ateet Ajuha:

Ateet and his team have been at the forefront of planning culturally diverse destination weddings since the mid-1990s. As a recognized expert in South Asian weddings, he brings a profound understanding of the cultural nuances that define these vibrant and meaningful celebrations. His expertise encompasses every aspect of the event—from traditional cuisine and attire to music and customs—ensuring each wedding is both authentic and memorable. Ateet is also highly skilled in contract negotiation and vendor relations, having built strong partnerships with leading all-inclusive resort brands and top-tier vendors specializing in South Asian weddings.

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In the Niche community, a member recently asked how to prepare for ILTM, and it sparked a bigger conversation: how do you really prepare for trade shows, and which ones are actually worth it? This week’s Hot Take dives into all things trade shows and how to make the most of them. Robin and Jennifer discuss why niche-specific events often bring the best ROI, how ego and confidence both play a role in attending, and why you should align shows with your true business focus. From prep tips like reviewing supplier lists and packing smart, to etiquette advice on punctuality and professionalism, this episode is a must-listen for any advisor gearing up for an industry event.

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Have you ever come home from a trade show with a stack of business cards and no idea what to do with them? Kristen Heitman, luxury travel advisor and one of Tique’s OG clients, joins this episode to discuss all things ClickUp, including her thoughts on The ClickUp Business Hub Template. Kristen walks through how she built a central hub for her supplier relationships (complete with commission details, meeting notes, and rep connections) so she can easily find the right contact when she needs them. She also shares how this system goes beyond contacts to track leads, forecast revenue, and even automate testimonial-driven marketing. If you’ve ever wasted time digging through emails or spreadsheets trying to remember who reps that perfect hotel, this episode will show you how to build a streamlined system that saves clicks, keeps you organized, and helps you grow your business with confidence!

About Kristen Heitman:

Kristen is a Luxury Travel Advisor with Steuber Travel Group and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. After spending over a decade as an epidemiologist at the CDC, where her work focused on building surveillance systems for infectious diseases and data analysis, Kristen made the bold decision to leave her government career in August 2023 to pursue luxury travel planning full-time. Her natural curiosity and love of discovery, once applied to solving public health mysteries, now guides her in uncovering the world's most enchanting destinations and exclusive experiences. Kristen specializes in approachable luxury experiences for successful, detail-oriented professionals, crafting bespoke itineraries that feel effortlessly elegant yet thoughtfully curated. Her background has given her an exceptional eye for finding those special, hidden moments that transform a beautiful trip into an unforgettable journey. When she's not designing extraordinary escapes, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and two Whippets in Atlanta.

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