Lessons from One Travel Genius to Another

When I started my travel business back in 2009, I had no idea what I was doing.

I’d just left teaching and I was looking for more. More flexibility, more joy, more time with my family. I knew I loved travel. I knew I loved helping people. So I signed up with a host agency, picked a business name, and started booking.

But there was no roadmap.
No checklist.
No one to walk me through what came next.

I learned everything the hard way: through trial, error, and a lot of sticky notes.

If I could go back and sit down with brand-new-me, here’s what I’d say (and what I now teach inside Travel Genius Coaching):

1. You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Start

I thought I needed to memorize cruise ship specs, know every tour company, and be a walking encyclopedia of destinations.

But the truth is: you don’t.

You just need to pick a niche and learn that one area deeply. That’s what builds confidence and makes it easier to serve well… without the overwhelm.

2. People Want Your Help

Planning travel might feel fun to you, but for many people it’s stressful and time-consuming.

I wish I had known sooner:
You’re not “bothering” people when you talk about your business.
You’re offering real relief and support.

People want to trust someone with their plans.  And that someone can absolutely be you.

3. People Light Up When You Talk About Travel

I was nervous to tell people what I was doing. I didn’t want to sound salesy.

But here’s what I discovered:
Travel opens people up.
They love talking about dream trips. They love asking questions. They love reliving past adventures.

You don’t have to “pitch.”
You just have to start the conversation.

4. Focus on Groups Early and Often

One of my biggest business shifts came from leaning into group travel.

Booking just one group (like a girls’ getaway, family reunion, or birthday cruise) can connect you to 10, 15, or even 20 new clients. Plus, the commission is higher, and the experience is more relational.

If I had known this from Day One, I would’ve built faster and with a lot more ease.

5. Systems Save Your Sanity

I tracked my first few bookings in a notebook (yes, really).

And while it worked in the beginning…it didn’t scale.

What I know now is that simple systems change everything. From onboarding emails to booking checklists to post-trip follow-ups, having a repeatable workflow makes you feel (and look) like a pro, even if you’re brand new.

06. You’re Not Just Booking Trips, You’re Building a Business

This is the part no one really told me:
The trips are wonderful.
The commissions are exciting.
But the real reward? It’s the freedom, confidence, and sense of purpose that grows with every client you serve.

This business can change your life.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

That’s why I created Travel Genius Coaching. So you can skip the trial and error, and build with clarity from the start.

Click here to preview the course for free

Inside, you’ll find step-by-step lessons, done-for-you templates, and systems that save your time and sanity. So you can grow your travel business with confidence.

You’re not behind.
You’re building something beautiful and I’m here to support you every step of the way.