In this insightful episode, Brianna and special guest Kate Sullivan peel back the curtain on the concept of self-fam trips in the travel advisory world. From their personal experiences to the nuances of independent hotel site inspections and strategic relationship building, they offer a deep dive into the professional benefits and challenges of self-organizing familiarization trips. Plus, they discuss the intricacies of planning, executing, and capitalizing on these experiences to enhance their ...
Jan 23, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 157
Looking to improve your marketing? In this episode, Whitney is joined by Madeline Steuber of Steuber Travel Group. Madeline shares about her successful marketing efforts in driving business to specific destinations and strategies for identifying client segments and tailoring her marketing strategy to each segment's needs. They also chat about the importance of authenticity, addressing pain points, and building trust with clients. Plus, learn about the value of repetition and the impact it has on...
Jan 16, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 156
Steph Lee, founder of Host Agency Reviews, joins Whitney on the Masters in Travel Podcast this week to discuss the annual travel advisor surveys and reports. These annual reports provide valuable data like the average earnings of travel advisors, the percentage of advisors charging fees, the length of time advisors have been in the industry, and more. For example, 2023 data shows that the average annual income of a hosted travel advisor is $47,000, while the average annual income of an independe...
Jan 09, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 155
Happy New Year! In this episode of the Masters in Travel podcast, Whitney and Brianna discuss their end-of-year reflections and goals for the upcoming year. Get tips on the importance of journaling and reflecting on client feedback, plus hear their experiences with time-consuming tasks and the need to delegate or eliminate them. Lastly, they talk about the significance of setting goals and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. Start your new year off strong with this in...
Jan 02, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 154
Join Whitney and special guest Whitney Warren for this week's episode as they delve into the intricacies of self-sabotage and the fascinating landscape of intrinsic motivation within business leadership. They talk about how certain Enneagram personality types can lead to entrepreneurs inadvertently hindering their own success. Plus, they offer unique insights into the world of business ownership, discussing the balancing act of power, control, and personal growth, all while understanding the dif...
Dec 26, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 3Ep. 153
Joining Brianna on the podcast this week is Haleigh Scott, owner of Next Exit Travels. Both Brianna and Haleigh have been in the travel industry for many years, and in this episode, they discuss how to create a business that fits your lifestyle and achieve a good work-life balance. Haleigh shares her journey of starting her own travel business and how building strong relationships with her clients helped her streamline her processes, set healthy boundaries, and learn how to balance her professio...
Dec 19, 2023•43 min•Season 3Ep. 152
Travel advisors use technology every day in their work! In our Behind the Technology episodes, we introduce you to tech tools that can help you in business. David Shulll, co-founder and CEO of Tern Travel, joins Whitney to share how Tern Travel is working to create a tool that enables travel advisors to manage their businesses more efficiently. The best part? He asked advisors what they need out of a CRM and planning tool! That's why he and his team have built a comprehensive platform that integ...
Dec 12, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 151
Are you using Linkedin for your travel business? In this episode of the Masters in Travel Podcast, guest Jenn Lee joins Whitney to discuss the untapped potential of LinkedIn for travel advisors. It's known as a social media and professional development marketing platform, but what other uses can Linkedin provide? We explore how LinkedIn can be used to build a personal brand, connect with potential clients and collaborators, and curate a unique content library. How can you use LinkedIn to attract...
Dec 05, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 150
We're all wrapping up 2023 and are ready to achieve new success and set goals for the new year! What better way to start 2024 than with a community of fellow travel advisors who provide a safe space to ask questions and receive honest answers? This is one reason amongst many why joining the Masters in Travel Advisor Accelerator is an investment you should consider! Whether you have been in business for years or are just starting out, our carefully curated calls will put you in "the room" with ot...
Nov 28, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 149
When you think about branding, do you think about logos and social media? In this Masters in Travel episode, Brianna chats with branding expert Cynthia Maseli about how branding is much more! Learn how to communicate your values through your online presence, what are website essentials, and the initial investments you need to make for strong branding. Plus, gain an understanding about how understanding your audience and clients' goals will help you achieve ultimate branding success.
Nov 21, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 148
On today's episode, Whitney is joined by Jen Lee, VP of Industry Engagement and Support for Travel Planners International, to talk about a valuable asset for any travel business: client reviews. Get tips on how to ask for reviews and maximize their potential for attracting future clients. Whitney and Jen talk about how to prompt clients to leave detailed reviews, how to respond to positive and negative reviews, and how to creatively leverage views on your online presence.
Nov 14, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 147
Welcome to Shop Talk, a new monthly series where we (Whitney and Brianna) chat about what’s going on in our businesses right now - what’s exciting and what’s challenging. In this first Shop Talk episode, we are discussing the importance of analyzing data in our travel businesses to track and analyze numbers to make informed decisions and set realistic goals. Whitney shares how she compiled and analyzed data from her trips in 2023, leading her to set new goals for 2024, such as increasing the num...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 146
Whitney and Lindsey discuss the challenges of building a network as a new business owner. They emphasize the importance of identifying your sphere of influence and finding potential clients within your existing relationships to get started. They dive into a variety of ideas and suggestions for ways to continue building your network and sphere of influence which will ultimately aid in building a book of business. The key is to be authentic and find networking strategies that align with your perso...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 3Ep. 145
Whitney Shindelar and Brianna Glenn discuss the importance of collaboration and having a community of like-minded individuals in the Masters in Travel community and Think Tank. They mention the rebranding of the podcast and website, as well as the introduction of new segments like Shop Talk and the Advisor Accelerator. They emphasize the value of peer-to-peer conversations and the opportunity to learn from others in similar stages of business. They also highlight the new approach of having more ...
Oct 24, 2023•55 min•Season 13Ep. 144
On this episode of Masters in Travel, host Whitney Shindelar is joined by Ashley Theis, owner of the Constant Wayfarer to discuss various aspects of travel planning. They delve into the importance of setting boundaries with clients, the challenges of working within different budgets, and the need for self-reflection to find the right opportunities. Additionally, they talk about the benefits of working with in-country partners, the power of trust in the advisor-client relationship, and the value ...
Oct 17, 2023•50 min•Season 3Ep. 143
As your business grows, hiring support is something that you’ll likely hear stirring in conversations with colleagues and it will most likely be in the back of your mind as well. But we all know - hiring isn’t easy. It can feel scary for so many reasons - how do we hire? Can we afford to hire? How do we trust someone to come into our business and take over tasks we’ve always done ourselves? The list of questions and concerns go on and on… Join Brianna Glenn, owner of Milk + Honey Travels and I a...
Oct 10, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 142
As your business grows, hiring support is something that you’ll likely hear stirring in conversations with colleagues and it will most likely be in the back of your mind as well. But we all know - hiring isn’t easy. It can feel scary for so many reasons - how do we hire? Can we afford to hire? How do we trust someone to come into our business and take over tasks we’ve always done ourselves? The list of questions and concerns go on and on… Join Brianna Glenn, owner of Milk + Honey Travels and I a...
Oct 03, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 141
Whether you realize it or not as a new business owner, qualifying leads is something you’ll find yourself doing on a very regular basis and the longer you’re in business, you’ll realize that HOW you qualify leads is paramount to your success as a business owner. Tune in to this week's episode with Kate Sullivan of Anthology Travel to learn about how to qualify leads and the importance of this step for long term growth and success.
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 140
A Master Hour conversation with the Community + Think Tank on how to prioritize and focus our energy to finish the year strong
Sep 21, 2023•56 min•Season 3Ep. 139
In this episode of Masters in Travel, host Whitney interviews Brianna Glenn, owner of Milk and Honey Travels, about business growth expectations. They discuss the importance of setting realistic goals, tracking key metrics, and investing in your business. They also emphasize the need to analyze your time and make intentional decisions to work on your business rather than just in it. Brianna highlights the significance of identifying and articulating the value proposition of your business to attr...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 138
Sandy Saburn, Chief Membership Officer at Gifted Travel Network, joins host Whitney on the Masters in Travel podcast to discuss the importance of technology for travel advisors. They address common misconceptions about technology in the industry and highlight the need for advisors to invest in the right tools from the beginning. They outline a tech stack that includes a research and knowledge tool, a CRM and workflow management system, a client outreach platform, an itinerary builder, and a mone...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 5 min
On today’s episode of Masters in Travel, listeners will discover firsthand accounts from travel planning professionals who have found immense success using Asana as their go-to project management tool. The hosts and guests delve into their personal journeys with various task management systems before settling on Asana, highlighting the platform's efficiency, organization, and seamless collaboration capabilities. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the benefits of using Asana, including th...
Aug 15, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 136
On this episode of Masters in Travel’s Master Hour, host Whitney Shindelar and guest Brunilda De Jesus discuss the importance of managing expectations in the travel industry. They dive into the nuances of different tour operators and DMCs, providing valuable insights for travel advisors. From understanding the different types of tours and clarifying group sizes, to proactive measures taken by certain tour operators and the role of representation companies, this podcast offers practical advice fo...
Aug 09, 2023•51 min
On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by Mary Beth Lynn as she shares her journey of finding work-life balance and maximizing efficiency in the industry. With valuable insights on effective email management and the benefits of hiring an assistant, this episode is a must-listen for travel agents looking to take their business to new heights. Learn how to delegate with trust, batch emails for increased productivity, and prioritize tasks effectively. Don't miss out on the opportun...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr
In part two of our series on inbox management, Whitney is joined by Torri Johnson. Torri shares her invaluable insights and strategies for efficiently managing your inbox as she and Whitney discuss the importance of organization and the impact it can have on productivity. From creating folders for different categories of emails to utilizing helpful features like stars and labels, Johnson's expert tips will revolutionize the way you approach inbox management. Whether you're a professional looking...
Jul 25, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 132
On this episode of Masters in Travel, Whitney is joined by travel professionals Korrine Johnson and Madeleine Steuber as they share their insights and strategies for efficient inbox management. With the challenges of juggling multiple clients and bookings, they offer practical tips on streamlining inbox organization, utilizing search functions and labels, and prioritizing tasks. They also discuss the importance of setting dedicated times for email management, managing notifications, and integrat...
Jul 18, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 131
On this month’s special Master Hour episode of Masters in Travel, host Whitney Shindelar is joined by members of the community to dive deep into the world of hiring, training, and delegating in the travel industry. With valuable insights from industry professionals, they uncover the strategies and challenges faced by travel professionals in effectively nurturing and developing their employees. From creating tutorial videos to delegating tasks to virtual assistants, this podcast episode offers pr...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 130
On this episode of the Masters in Travel podcast, Rani Cheema shares her courageous journey of self-discovery and leaving a dream job to follow her desires. She emphasizes asking meaningful questions, trusting intuition, and making space for fulfilling opportunities. Rani's story highlights the power of connections and taking courageous steps in life and business.
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 129
On this month’s edition of the Master Hour, freelance writer and editor Karla Walsh discusses the advantages of working with media for travel advisors. She offers tips on finding the right media outlets, tailoring pitches to target specific audiences, and building relationships with journalists. Walsh shares her 15 years of experience in digital media, emphasizing the importance of identifying oneself as an expert in a specific domain of travel. Listeners will learn how media exposure can lead t...
Jun 20, 2023•56 min•Season 3Ep. 128
On this episode of Masters in Travel, we delve into the world of social media and its impact on modern travel. Whitney, Meredith Donaldson, Jenna Swan, and Julie Patterson discuss the importance of Instagram as a platform for travel research, the challenges of maintaining a consistent social media presence, and the need for cross-referencing information found on social media with other sources. Insightful and informative, this podcast will provide valuable tips and advice for travel advisors loo...
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 127
