Erin Adams. (Source: Erin Adams)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Erin Adams, owner of Queen of Fun Travel.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
In August of 2019 I literally felt like something hit me on the back of my head and I shouted out, ‘Why am I not a travel agent?’ I had been working as a professional wedding and event planner for 25 years and worked every weekend and had one day off a week – Monday.
The last seven years of that career I had been working as director of operations/event services for an event company that planned events on yachts. I was not allowed to take vacation any time I wanted – it had to be when we were slow during January, February or the first part of March before wedding season.
I lived for that 10 days every year. I followed a lot of YouTubers who were traveling and giving advice. I was watching one of these videos and they made a comment about how they were travel agents and that is when I had that ‘a-ha’ moment.
Now I just had to figure out how. I found Cyndi Williams from Wanderlust Campus/Careers on Vacation and after stalking her for several weeks I signed up for a discovery call and then started her travel school on September 17, 2019. Best. Decision. Ever.
How did you build your business over the years?
I graduated in December 2019 and then didn’t know how the heck I was going to be a travel agent while working 70 hours a week as an event planner. COVID took care of that for me. Cyndi called a zoom meeting and said, ‘This is a gift wrapped in a crappy package. Take this time to work on your business and take supplier trainings etc., so you’re ready when travel comes back.’
Two weeks later I was laid off and I did just what she said. I woke up early every morning and worked 9 to 5 on my travel business even though I had zero clients. And I was ready for those first clients at the beginning of 2021. I was with a host agency at the time and I had also moved to a new city where I became involved on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and in the Junior Women’s Club. I sponsored at some events around the town, networked and slowly people started reaching out to me, finding me on Google; and I was referred on a lot of the community Facebook groups.
In 2022 I decided to go independent and started Wanderlust CEO at Wanderlust Campus where I had a business coach, social media coaches and more. I went through all of the hoops to become an independent agency and began to onboard my first independent contractors by the end of the year.
I continued to grow my social media and my community awareness and coached my independent contractors, adding on more in 2023. Every year, our sales keep growing. This last quarter, we sold more than we did all last year.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
Stellar customer service – really listening to the client, being available, going above and beyond for them. I did these same things for my wedding/event clients and it applies to this industry too. Being detail oriented – really thinking through about what each client needs or will need during the planning process and during their vacation – down to what snacks they should bring on the train, best things to do during a long-haul flight to relax including videos of what the plane will be like.
What has your greatest challenges been?
Finding good advisors. I interview and review them very, very carefully.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
Creating an amazing company culture with my Travel Queens – they are the ‘Queen Team.’ They all really love each other and always have each other’s backs. I am really proud of that, because it’s something I dreamed about – that type of company culture/ and comradery. Also, continuing to learn and meet the most amazing people in this industry that I call friends.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Get certified with the foundations of the industry from a reputable travel training program. Find a mentor, surround yourself with like-minded people who are positive and always striving to get better and better. Never stop learning – go to conferences and apply for fam trips. Don’t be afraid or think you’re too new for something and that no one will accept you – just do it anyway and keep doing it. Be persistent and consistent. Never stop.
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