TIQUE Talks: The Business Podcast for Travel Advisors

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!

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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.

indiandestinationwedding.com

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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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Connect with Sarah at HeySwillsy for Custom ClickUp Setup

Listen to Episode 150: What Every Advisor Needs To Know About Protecting Client Data with Kacie Darden

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The line between serving your clients and sacrificing yourself can get blurry fast. In this Hot Take, Jennifer and Robin dig into a challenge almost every advisor faces: setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. From overstuffed inboxes to client requests at all hours, it’s easy to lose control of your time and energy when you’re trying to grow a business. They share the hard-won lessons and strategies that help advisors protect their sanity, create healthier client relationships, and build a business that actually supports the life they want. Whether you’ve been feeling stretched thin or just want to get ahead of the overwhelm, this conversation will give you the confidence to start drawing the line where it matters most.

Resources Mentioned:

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Paige Griffith, small business attorney and founder of The Legal Paige, is back! This time she’s tackling the hot topic of AI in the travel industry and discussing what's legally safe vs. what could flat-out land you in hot water if you’re not careful. You’ll hear how the FTC and U.S. Copyright Office are already cracking down on AI generated content, and the key disclaimers and contract clauses that actually protect your business when AI shows up in proposals, itineraries, or marketing. Paige also shares why ChatGPT contracts are a recipe for disaster, how one careless copy-paste could put client confidentiality at risk, and the ethical line between using AI as an efficiency tool or passing it off as your own expertise. AI isn’t going anywhere, so hit play and make sure it’s helping your business, not putting it at risk.

About Paige Griffith:

Paige is the Founder & CEO of The Legal Paige; Small Business Attorney & Advocate. Paige is a dedicated attorney and entrepreneur, passionately committed to empowering small business owners—especially creatives—with the legal tools and knowledge they need to build sustainable, legitimate, and peace-of-mind businesses. She founded The Legal Paige in 2018 after balancing law school with running a photography business, recognizing firsthand the legal uncertainties creative professionals often face.  With more than nine years of legal practice, Paige has built The Legal Paige into a leading legal education platform and contract template shop serving thousands of clients.   Paige’s approach combines legal expertise with accessibility. She is known for breaking down complex legal topics into clear, digestible advice through her blog, podcast, YouTube channel, and speaking engagements. She’s deeply invested in helping business owners not just avoid risk, but actually feel confident about their legal choices.

thelegalpaige.com

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Contracts for Travel Advisors: https://thelegalpaige.com/collections/industry-travel-advisor?aff=143&utm_source=Podcast+Episode+152&utm_medium=Podcast+Shownotes&utm_campaign=Legal+Paige+Link

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Consumer gift spending is dropping this holiday season…but travel spending is rising. That means your clients are ready to swap sweaters for plane tickets, and you need to know how to position yourself to capture it. In this Hot Take, Jennifer and Robin share why leading with discounts won’t cut it in today’s economy and how the smartest advisors will win by marketing the feeling of travel (think cozy holiday rituals, aspirational experiences, and stress-free memories clients can instantly picture themselves in). Learn how to position travel as the ultimate gift, reduce client overwhelm with done-for-them holiday planning, and secure more bookings before Cyber Monday hits. Press play and turn this holiday season into your biggest revenue driver yet!

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TIQUE’S BIRTHDAY SALE IS LIVE! 

Sept. 22nd-26th | Get 15% Off!

One hacked email could cost your business six figures (seriously!). Kacie Darden of Blue Pineapple Travel joins this episode to talk about cybersecurity in a way that actually makes sense for advisors. She explains why PCI compliance is a must, why investing in a paid VPN is worth every penny, and how cybersecurity insurance could be the thing that saves your business from a financial nightmare. She also shares tips on building stronger passwords, spotting phishing scams, and putting simple processes in place to protect your clients and your reputation. If the word “cybersecurity” usually makes your eyes glaze over, don’t worry, this conversation will change that. Tune in for relatable advice and easy steps you can put into action right away!

About Kacie Darden:

Kacie is an avid traveler and the passionate owner of her Marietta-based travel agency. With journeys to more than 60 countries across six continents (and Australia next on the list!), her love of exploration fuels everything she does. Whether she’s discovering a brand-new destination or finding fresh perspectives in a familiar place, Kacie brings that same curiosity and expertise to the experiences she curates for her clients.  She loves sharing the world with her husband, identical twin boys, and extended family and friends — proving that travel is as much about connection as it is about adventure. With her blend of industry experience, personal passion, and sharp business insight, Kacie transforms travel dreams into memories that last a lifetime.  

bluepineappletravel.com

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This week’s Hot Take comes from Niche member Megan, who’s debating a big agency growth move: bring on independent contractors or hire employees? Jennifer and Robin discuss the different aspects of both options starting from clarifying your long-term vision and navigating the legal/financial fine print to tackling the very real emotional side of building a team. You’ll hear strategies for protecting your brand, lightening your workload, and scaling smart (with some bonus insights from Agency Expansion Academy). Tune in to get the clarity you need for making the best decision for your business!

AGENCY EXPANSION ACADEMY - your complete, self-paced blueprint for building a dream team of pros, streamlining your operations, and unlocking the kind of growth that feels effortless and sustainable.

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Previous Episodes Mentioned: 

#41. What We'd Do Today If We Started Our Travel Business Over (Part 1)

#42. What We'd Do Today If We Started Our Travel Business Over (Part 2)

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Mark Your Calendars for TIQUE’S BIRTHDAY SALE! 

Sept. 22nd-26th | Get 15% Off!

Boutique hotels may look effortless on the outside, but behind the scenes they run on strategy, teamwork, and a relentless eye for detail. In this episode, Jennifer chats with Candice Berger, Director of Marketing at Voile D’or, who represents two of the industry’s remarkable hidden gems: Maison Hudson in New York and Maison Vi Laroi in Paris. Candice pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to wow guests: from personalizing every stay and safeguarding client confidentiality to the nonstop hustle most people never see. You’ll learn why crystal-clear communication between advisors and hoteliers matters, how honesty sets the tone for unforgettable experiences, and why heartfelt service always beats cookie-cutter luxury. If you’ve ever wanted an insider’s look at how hotels craft stays that turn into stories, this episode has the secrets!

About Candice Berger:

Candice, a Taurus from the French Riviera, is based in Cannes and has spent the past 20 years in luxury hospitality crafting experiences where the smallest detail creates the biggest memory. Guided by her motto, “good is never enough,” she brings both passion and precision to everything she does. A proud mother to her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Andreas, and caretaker of a 14-year-old pug who still rules the house, Candice thrives on obsessing over details, thinking outside the box, and transforming stays into stories that guests take home. Today, she shares how teamwork and a creative mindset shape truly unforgettable moments.

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