Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to chat about starting a travel agency, choosing the best host, marketing to a larger audience. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-agency-business-plan-template https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/starting-a-travel-agency-from-home https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agencys-financials https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-o...
Oct 14, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to chat about starting your own travel business, starting in the travel biz, and getting your own travel accreditation. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-agency-business-plan-template https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/starting-a-travel-agency-from-home https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agencys-financials https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tagged/choose-a-host http...
Oct 08, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to chat about attending your host conference, choosing a host agency, and specialized travel niches. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-advisor-guide-researching-qualifying-suppliers https://www.facebook.com/groups/7daysetup/ https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/make-your-travel-conference-count https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/t...
Sep 30, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Welcome to Friday 15! Today Maureen is going to take a look at the best host agencies, selling river cruises, and river cruises as a niche. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-certification https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-...
Sep 24, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 30
This week on Friday 15, Maureen chats about whether you should be hosted or not, if hosts provide leads, and travel school. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-vol-5-karen-hurlbut-hurlbut-travel https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tqn-q4-2020 https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-...
Sep 16, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 29
This week on Friday 15, Maureen chats about whether you should be hosted or not, if hosts provide leads, and travel school. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tagged/choose-a-host https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-using-a-host-agency https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/starting-a-travel-agency-from-home https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agency...
Sep 09, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 28
This week on Friday 15 Maureen chats about switching host agencies, finding a host agency, and which host offer adventure travel! Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/5-best-business-credit-cards-for-travel-agency-rewards • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-credit-card-rewards-travel-agency • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-travel-brand-credit-cards-travel-agents • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/starting-a-travel-agency-fro...
Sep 03, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 27
This week on Friday 15 Maureen chats about switching host agencies, finding a host agency, and which host offer adventure travel! Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: Independent Travel Agent Contracts How to Choose a Host How to Find the Best Host Agency Host Agency Map How to Find a Travel Niche Travel Preferred Supplier A Travel Agent Guide to Researching & Qualifying Suppliers Adventure Travel Trade Association Make your Travel Conference Count We do this every week! I...
Aug 27, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 26
This week on Friday 15, Steph and Maureen chat about going solo and working with suppliers! Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode : https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-advisor-guide-researching-qualifying-suppliers https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-100-travel-agency-marketing-plan https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-ag...
Aug 20, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 25
This week on Friday 15, Steph and Maureen chat about what conferences to attend, type of travel industry jobs, and how to prepare for the return to travel! Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-consortia-education • https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/make-your-travel-conference-count • https://hostagencyreviews.com/events/category/kind_conference • https://www.travelagentforum.com/ • https://www.asta.org • https://hostagencyrevie...
Aug 12, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 24
This week on Friday 15, Maureen goes solo and chats about Host Preferred Suppliers, Returning to the Industry, and Host Suppliers Sales Team. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tagged/choose-a-host https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/7daysetup https://hostagencyreviews....
Aug 06, 2021•18 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Hear from a 26-year travel industry veteran and host of the radio show Traveling Culturati, about how she’s successfully tackled her agency’s multiple brands, created a successful frequent traveler program, and blended her passions together to form a unique niche. We promise you’ll leave with multiple creative ways to grow your agency! Whether through ideas on how to grow your agency through radio/podcast, creating your own frequent traveler program for clients, or planting a seed on how you can...
Aug 01, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 20
This week on Friday 15, Steph and Maureen chat about commission overrides, company logos, and budget host agencies. Here's a list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-commission-plan-comparison-calculator https://www.canva.com/ https://99designs.com/ https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/why-your-travel-agency-needs-a-style-guide https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-set-up https://www.facebook.com/groups/7daysetup https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog...
Jul 30, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 22
This week on Friday 15, Steph chats about the coveted IATA/ITANA card, more on E&O insurance and if you or your host should hold it, and about active military/veteran host discounts. Here's a short and sweet list of helpful resources for today’s episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/survey https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-clia-number https://youtu.be/a3aO4UpZN04 https://hostagencyreviews.com/franchises https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/kinship-vacations We do this every w...
Jul 23, 2021•8 min•Season 2Ep. 21
This week on Friday 15, Steph is going to address the elephant in the room: fake reviews on the site. She’s going to chat on different kinds of fake reviews, why and how they happen, how we respond when one slips through the cracks, and what the HAR crew does to prevent them in the first place (spoiler alert, we do A LOT!). So grab your magnifying glass, put on your fedora, and learn from HAR and you’ll become an amateur fake review sleuth in mere minutes. Steph will also talk about what is a “g...
Jul 16, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this week's Friday 15, Steph Lee chats on three key industry issues: What is a Host Agency? Agency with Multiple Brands Do I Need an LLC if I Buy a Franchise? If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! A List of Relevant Resources for Today’s Episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/survey ASTA Board of ...
Jul 09, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 19
A LIST OF RELEVANT RESOURCES FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: https://hostagencyreviews.com/survey https://har.news/vote https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agencys-financials https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/5-best-business-credit-cards-for-travel-agency-rewards https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-vol-3-be-well-travel https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-v...
Jul 02, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In our 16th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee chats about Hawaii seller of travel license and you get to meet the whole HAR team! If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! A List of Relevant Resources for Today’s Episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/survey https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-a...
Jun 25, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 17
This previously aired June 18, 2021 In our 15th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee chats on three key industry issues: 1. Booking with Non-Preferred Suppliers 2. How to Start a Travel Agency 3. Travel Agent Training (What's available + when to take it) If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! A List of Rel...
Jun 18, 2021•18 min•Season 2Ep. 16
In HAR’s lucky 14th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee brain nearly explodes with knowledge about: 1. Lead Programs for Travel Agents 2. Travel Agents vs. Online Booking 3. Belonging to Multiple Host Agencies 4. Should Your Niche Be in Your Agency's Name? If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! A List of ...
Jun 10, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In HAR’s lucky 13th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee's brain nearly explodes with knowledge about: 1. Non-Local Hosts + BDM Relationships (Does being non-local hurt you?) 2. Hosts for Non-US Nationals w/US-based Agency (What are the options?) 3. How Can New Advisors Find Clients If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here (bonus points if you can stump Steph!) Har.News/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for tra...
Jun 03, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In HAR’s 12th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee imparts critical knowledge on starting and running a travel agent. Here’s what she covers this week: Where to Display Your SOT # (Hosted IC Exemptions) MLMs vs. Host Agencies (What's the Difference?) A List of Relevant Resources: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an ans...
May 26, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In HAR’s 11th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee shares more travel agent tips and tricks, answering the latest travel industry questions that have come across her desk. Here’s what she’ll cover: Going from Hosted to Indie (What should I know?) Paying Yourself a Salary (How to Budget with an LLC) Resources we go over: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-prefe...
May 20, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In HAR’s 10th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee shares more travel agent tips and tricks, answering the latest travel industry questions that have come across her desk. Here’s what she’ll cover: Cruise Ship Tracker App (We've got one!) Storing Clients CC Info (How to do it securely) New Agents: TRIPKIT vs. ASTA Roadmap Course (Which is better?) Join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for a peek into Steph’s brain! If you have a travel industry questions, Steph likely has an answer :) Submi...
May 13, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In HAR’s 9th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee shares more travel agent tips and tricks, answering the latest travel industry questions that have come across her desk. Here’s what she’ll cover: Question IC with a Host vs. Sub Agent (What's the difference?) Travel Agency Business Plan (Do you need one?) Booking FITs Outside Your Host Agency (What to know.) Join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips! Resources Covered: https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts https://hostagency...
May 06, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This week, in our 8th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee covers a lot of ground in a short time! She shares pearls of wisdom on signing host contract as a personal rep of LLC, how to start charging fees, and do expensive hosts = better hosts?
Apr 28, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 9
She came from the world of non-profits with her eyes set on helping people of all abilities travel. Learn how this Indiana agent uses her agency to give back. You’ll walk away with LOADS of knowledge and some actionable tips to help your agency be more comfortable booking accessible travel. Tune in to hear about why she set up a travel accessibility advocacy non-profit (lots of words, I know) alongside her agency. The Greater Go Foundation challenges the boundaries of travel and creates opportun...
Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 19
This week, in our 7th episode of Friday 15, Steph Lee covers a lot of ground in a short time! She shares pearls of wisdom using your home address for your home-based business (yay or nay?), whether co-working spaces are worth it, what to ask hosts about their Error & Omissions insurance policies, and the reviews logistic of U.S.-based agents booking travel for foreign nationals. Join us on Friday at 12CST! Can’t wait to see you there! Resources we go over: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/...
Apr 22, 2021•15 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We normally publish recordings quarterly here at Travel Agent Chatter, but you're going to notice things getting a lot busier in your TAC feed. As in every WEEK we'll be pushing out new content! 🤯 Find out what our new project is, how it differs from our traditional Travel Agent Chatter interviews, and when you can expect those sessions to be uploaded! Submit your questions and find out more about the Friday 15: https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/friday15
Apr 14, 2021•3 min
This week, in our 6th episode of Friday 15, Steph chats on travel agency website options, the logistics of how and when to buy your domain, and how to go about selling travel when you already have a full-time day job. Give it a listen! https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/ASTAfinancials https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websites https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/wix-tutorial https://asta.digitalchalk.com/learn/finance-and-accounting-for-travel-agencies?navItemNumber=30910 https://h...
Apr 13, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 7
