This is the story of two Travel Agents who gave up their own agency and discovered that it led to happier agents and happier clients.
Kate Bevan and Samantha Harman have been buddies in business (as well as socially) for a long time, once owning a shop front travel agency.
But recently they made the move from Agency Owners to Travel Business Owners Extraordinaire!
After nearly two decades based in a shopfront agency Kate and Samantha moved away from bricks and mortar, they have never looked back:
Why make the change?
As small business owners we were working minimum 10 hour days, 6 days a week leaving minimal time and energy for a personal life.
We could not sustain a life like that and we knew we had to make a change. A friend had made the move to TravelManagers over two years before and we were very interested in a better work life balance and flexible of hours and after a thorough analysis of options, we felt TravelManagers suited us best.
As business owners we spend a lot of time working on the business and we felt we were not giving our clients the time, energy and expertise that we pride ourselves on. We wanted to enjoy being travel consultants again.
Was the change easy?
Transferring was really easy. Tramada [travel agency software] is a very user-friendly back/mid office system and the comprehensive induction offered by TravelManagers at their Sydney National Partnership Office meant it was easy to pick up. All of our clients were seamlessly transferred across with us.
We found the support available to us was fantastic. Even while signing up we had all the finance, contracting and marketing heads at TravelManagers on hand to assist. Everyone was willing to take our calls immediately to help with any queries and concerns.
After almost 12 months as personal travel managers, everything we had hoped for when joining, has come to fruition. We are part of a family who is always available to help. The systems work and are user-friendly, the people are keen to lift each other up and help each other succeed.
What was the reaction from your clients?
Most of our clients have been with us for a long time and were supportive of our lifestyle change. Our clients knew the hours we were working and are happy that we can now give them more productive time and also see a happier and healthier us. We did have a handful of older clients who were unsure about not being able to drop in anytime and visit, however, once we explained we could still meet them for coffee or come to their houses they were more than happy with the arrangement.
What’s been the biggest bonus to you and your business?
The stress relief we have felt from not worrying about rent, staff salaries and all that goes into running a small business has been a blessing.
Plus, we now juggle our work days to spend time with family and go to the gym. Working in your pjs on the odd occasion is pretty nice too!
Do you want to branch out but still have business support?
Check out TravelManagers, Australia’s most experienced travel network, and see if they can help give you a helping hand.
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Written by Paul Chai, KARRYON contributor
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