Erin Adams. (Source: Erin Adams)
Our Travel Advisor Success Stories highlight how veteran travel advisors have achieved success. Here, we feature Erin Adams, Owner of Queen of Fun Travel.
How did your career as a travel advisor begin?
In August 2019, I literally felt like something hit me in the back of my head and screamed: “Why am I not working at a travel agency?” I had been working as a professional wedding and event planner for 25 years, working every weekend and only having one day off a week, Mondays.
For the last seven years of that career, I worked as the Director of Operations/Event Services for an events company that organized events on yachts. I wasn't allowed to take vacation time whenever I wanted, I had to take it in the slow months of January, February, or early March before wedding season.
I lived for those 10 days every year. I followed a lot of YouTubers who were giving travel advice, and I was watching one of their videos and I saw them comment that they were travel agents, and in that moment I was like, “Aha!”
Now I just had to figure out how to do it. I found Cyndi Williams from Wanderlust Campus/Careers on Vacation and after stalking her for a few weeks, I signed up for a discovery call and started her travel school on September 17, 2019. It was the best decision!
How have you built your business over the years?
I graduated in December 2019 and had no idea how to land a job in travel agency while working 70 hours a week as an event planner. COVID-19 solved that for me. Cindy called a Zoom meeting and said, “This is a gift in a crappy package. Let's use this time to work on our business, get supplier training, etc., so we're ready for when travel starts up again.”
Two weeks later, I was fired and did as she said. Even though I had zero clients, I got up early every morning and worked in the travel business from 9 to 5. And by the beginning of 2021, I was ready to have my first client. At the time, I was with a hosting agency, moved to a new city, and got involved with the Chamber of Commerce board and the Junior Women's Club. I sponsored a few events around town, built a network, and slowly people started reaching out to me and finding me on Google. I was also featured in a lot of community Facebook groups.
In 2022 I decided to go independent and launched Wanderlust CEO on the Wanderlust Campus where I had a business coach, social media coach, etc. I overcame all the hurdles to become an independent agent and started onboarding my first independent contractors by the end of the year.
I continue to grow my social media and community awareness, mentor independent contractors, and have added even more contractors in 2023. Every year, sales continue to grow. This last quarter we surpassed our sales from all of last year.
What are the traits that make you a successful advisor?
Great customer service – really listen to your clients, always be available and exceed their expectations. I did the same for my wedding and event clients and it applies to this industry too. Pay attention to the details and think thoroughly about what each client needs and will require during the planning process and throughout their holiday. This goes all the way to thinking about what snacks to bring on the train, videos showing what the plane is like and the best way to relax during a long-haul flight.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Finding good advisors. I interview and evaluate them very carefully.
What is your greatest achievement?
I am creating an amazing company culture with my travel queens. They are the “queen team”. They all love each other so much and always support each other. I am really proud of that because that kind of company culture and friendship is what I dreamed of. Also, it's important to keep learning and meeting the most amazing people in this industry that I get to call my friends.
What tips can you offer advisors new to the industry?
Get certified in the industry fundamentals with a reputable travel training program. Find a mentor and surround yourself with like-minded people who are positive and always looking to improve. Never stop learning. Attend conferences and apply for family trips. Don't be afraid or think you're too new to something and no one will accept you. Just do it and keep going. Be persistent and consistent. Never quit.
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