Bliss To Abundance: For Growth Minded Travel Entrepreneurs

From Travel Dream to Thriving AgencySometimes the biggest business breakthrough starts with simply being willing to ask, “What would it look like if I took this to the next level?”In this episode of Bliss to Abundance, Cyndi sits down with Kristi from  Anchor Travel Experts to talk about her journey from corporate employee and aspiring Disney travel advisor to successful independent travel agency owner.Kristi shares how a love of planning Disney vacations first sparked the idea of becoming a travel advisor back in 2008. Years later, she finally took action, starting her travel business while still working her corporate job. After reaching $200,000 in sales, she realized there was still so much she didn't know—and that recognizing those knowledge gaps became the catalyst for her next level of growth.From completing Careers on Vacation® to advancing into Wanderlust CEO, Kristi explains how education, mentorship, community, and the right systems gave her the confidence to build a business capable of replacing her corporate income. She also shares how working with a financial advisor helped her thoughtfully plan her transition from employee to full-time entrepreneur.Resources Mentioned:⁠⁠Wanderlust CampusCareers on VacationWanderlust CEOKey Topics Covered:Turning a passion for Disney and travel into a travel advisor careerStarting a travel business while working a corporate jobRecognizing knowledge gaps as a business ownerThe value of travel industry education and certificationCareers on Vacation® and Wanderlust CEOBuilding confidence through mentorship and communityTransitioning from employee to full-time entrepreneurFinancial planning before leaving a corporate careerDeveloping a business-owner mindsetInvesting in education, mentorship, and business growthBuilding strong legal, financial, and operational systemsLearning from experienced entrepreneurs and shortening the learning curve

The family travel niche gets a lot bigger when you stop selling trips and start designing experiences around each child.In this episode of Bliss to Abundance, Rebecca, co-owner of award-winning Meadowbrook Travel, shares how she and her partner Lee approach family travel by looking beyond the destination and focusing on the individual needs, interests, ages, and personalities of each child.From toddler-friendly adventures to teen bucket-list experiences, Rebecca explains how travel advisors can create more meaningful family vacations by considering school schedules, hobbies, favorite books, movies, TV shows, and each child’s natural curiosity. The result is travel that feels more personal, educational, and memorable for the entire family.Rebecca also shares practical strategies for working with busy parents, including consult calls, proactive planning reminders, shoulder-season opportunities, and timing trips around school breaks and major holidays. For travel advisors looking to strengthen their family travel niche, the conversation offers valuable insight into how thoughtful questions and personalized recommendations can turn a standard vacation into an experience families remember for years.Resources Mentioned:⁠Wanderlust CampusKey Topics Covered:Designing family travel around each child’s age, interests, and personalityMatching destinations to a child’s energy level and curiosityUsing books, movies, TV shows, hobbies, and school subjects to inspire tripsWhy one-on-one parent-and-child travel can build confidence and independenceTurning travel into real-world learning experiencesHelping families navigate travel planning with confidenceUsing consult calls to better understand family travel needs Planning around school schedules, spring break, summer, and holidaysUsing shoulder season to avoid crowds and potentially save moneyMarketing family travel to busy parentsCreating a more personalized client experienceGrowing a travel advisor niche through thoughtful, specialized serviceRebecca is the co-owner of **Meadowbrook Travel**, an award-winning travel agency recognized as one of the top three agencies in Minnesota. She and her partner Lee are double-certified through **Careers on Vacation®** and **Wanderlust CEO**, and they also serve as mentors within the Wanderlust Campus community.

In this episode of Bliss to Abundance, Cyndi welcomes Rhonda from Strategic Taxes, a certified travel professional and certified travel agency owner, for an in-depth conversation about accounting, tax planning, and financial strategies for travel advisors.Rhonda and Cyndi break down what new business owners need to know when setting up their travel business, from choosing the right business entity and separating personal and business finances to maintaining accurate records and working with qualified tax professionals. They also explore common deductions travel advisors may be able to take, including home office expenses, business travel, mileage, equipment, healthcare, and other costs associated with running a travel business.The conversation goes beyond deductions to explore the importance of thinking like a business owner. Rhonda shares how proper financial planning can support business growth, future purchases, and long-term financial goals while helping advisors become better stewards of their businesses.Resources Mentioned:Wanderlust CampusWander Beyond AfricaKey Topics Covered:Choosing the right business entity for your travel businessWhy separating personal and business finances mattersRecord keeping and staying organized for tax timeThe difference between being a contractor and operating as a business ownerCommon business deductions for travel advisorsHome office and business-use-of-home deductionsUnderstanding business travel deductionsHealthcare expenses and business structure considerationsPlanning deductions around major financial goalsWhy showing a profit can matter when preparing for major purchasesHow to use financial numbers to plan for the rest of the yearBuilding better financial habits and business-owner mindsetWorking with accountants, CPAs, tax professionals, and other financial professionals

Luxury travel continues to thrive, even as other travel segments experience shifts in the market. In this episode of the Bliss to Abundance Podcast, Cyndi sits down with Jody Ryland of Cruise & Travel Experts to discuss why luxury travel is booming and how travel advisors can successfully enter and grow in this profitable niche.From world cruises and African safaris to building relationships with high-net-worth clients, they share practical strategies for delivering exceptional service, creating unforgettable client experiences, and marketing luxury travel effectively. They also explore the value of host agencies, consortia partnerships like Signature Travel Network, and why relationship marketing and direct mail continue to outperform many traditional digital strategies.Whether you're new to selling luxury travel or looking to elevate your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you attract premium clients and confidently position yourself as a trusted luxury travel advisor.Resources Mentioned:Wanderlust Campus Cruise and Travel ExpertsKey Topics Covered:Why luxury travel continues to grow despite economic uncertaintyTrending luxury experiences, including world cruises, Africa, and expedition travelHow to serve high-net-worth clients with a concierge mindsetBuilding trust through expertise, relationships, and personalized serviceThe importance of planning luxury travel well in advanceHow Signature Travel Network supports advisors with exclusive amenities, technology, and marketingMarketing strategies for attracting luxury clients, including direct mail and relationship marketingWhy advisors should stop selling from their own budget and start selling from the client's perspectiveCreating memorable client experiences through insider knowledge and attention to detailTips for transitioning into the luxury travel market as a new advisor

In this episode of Bliss to Abundance, Cyndi sits down with Gabe, co-founder of Toggle Travel and recipient of ASTA's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, to discuss how data and technology are transforming the travel industry. Gabe shares the inspiring story behind Toggle Travel, the challenges they solved for travel agencies, and how business intelligence, reporting, AI, and automation are helping agency owners make smarter decisions, improve profitability, and better serve their clients. Whether you're an independent advisor or managing a growing agency, this conversation offers valuable insights into using data to build a stronger, more scalable travel business.Resources Mentioned:Toggle TravelWanderlust CampusKey Topics Mentioned:The founder story behind Toggle Travel and winning ASTA's Entrepreneur of the YearWhy reporting and business intelligence matter for travel agenciesHow agencies can use data to improve profitability and performanceCommon reporting and commission mistakes agencies don't realize they're makingThe importance of quality control and clean CRM dataBenchmarking advisor performance to drive growthUsing AI to uncover client opportunities and business insightsFuture innovations, including lead tracking, automation, and corporate reportingHow agencies can make better marketing decisions with data