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Travel Advisor Success Stories highlights veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here, we feature Lindsay Kowalski, Owner and Principal Travel Designer at LK Travel Group, an affiliate of Jetset World Travel.
How did your career as a travel advisor begin?
My journey to becoming a travel advisor began in a completely unexpected way. After months of hospitalization after two prematurely born babies, I faced great uncertainty. My first son was born at 27 weeks gestation and weighed just 2 pounds. It was a tough start, but now he is a healthy, fit 12-year-old and is taller than me. To care for my children, I decided to leave my teaching career and stay home. As my children grew stronger and more independent, my long-dormant passion for travel was reignited, inspiring me to embark on a new career where I could help others explore the world.
How have you built your business over the years?
Starting my own business was a tough journey; even more so because I had no mentor to guide me. My background as an educator instilled in me a strong passion for learning, so I immersed myself in self-improvement, attended industry seminars, read extensively and interacted with other professionals. The constant pursuit of knowledge and application of new skills has enabled me to gradually build a successful travel advisory business from the ground up.
What are the traits that make you a successful advisor?
Several key traits contribute to my success as a travel advisor: Being highly organized allows me to efficiently manage multiple clients and trips. My ability to connect with both partners and clients helps me build long-term relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Additionally, my strong work ethic and aversion to procrastination enable me to provide exceptional service and maintain high standards in all aspects of my business.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic was an extraordinary challenge. The travel industry was one of the hardest hit, and launching a new venture during such uncertain times required extraordinary resilience and adaptability. Taking on the many roles expected of an entrepreneur, from marketing to customer service to financial management, added complexity. However, these challenges taught me valuable lessons and strengthened my resolve.
What is your greatest achievement?
I am extremely proud of my many achievements throughout my career so far, but what stands out most are the great partnerships I’ve built with my loyal clients. These relationships are a testament to the trust and confidence my clients and industry partners have in me. Building a reputation for reliability and excellence has been deeply rewarding, and seeing my clients’ travel dreams come true is the greatest feeling of accomplishment of all.
What tips can you offer advisors new to the industry?
If you’re new to the industry, we encourage you to seek out a mentor if possible. Having someone more experienced to guide you can help you grow faster and avoid common pitfalls. The travel industry can feel isolating, but learning from others who have been successful in the industry can give you valuable insight and support. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, network, and grow. These experiences will shape your career and pave the way for success.
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