From Burnt-Out Marketer to Successful UK Travel Business Owner with The Travel Franchise

A career change inspired by travel – and a moment of clarity

After years spent in a high-pressure marketing job, Donna found herself overwhelmed and craving change. The long hours, constant stress and lack of fulfilment had taken their toll. Then, during a summer holiday in August 2024, everything became clear.

She’d been following The Travel Franchise for a while, quietly researching the idea of starting a travel business from home. With a small inheritance from her late father, she finally felt ready to invest in a new chapter. She grabbed the last available spot on the company’s October 2024 training course – a smart move, as it gave her a few months to get established before the peak holiday booking season from January to March.

Starting a travel business with no industry experience

Like most who join The Travel Franchise, Donna had no previous experience in the travel sector. She chose the company’s most popular option – the Elite package – which includes two overseas mentorship retreats and access to the Money Back Challenge, a unique offer where franchisees can earn back their £14,995 fee by hitting a commission target within their first year.

Motivated and ready to learn, Donna quickly began building her client base. She followed a simple piece of advice from her training: tell people what you do. That alone led to her first big booking — a £35,000 luxury cruise for a friend.

The benefits of a flexible, work-from-anywhere lifestyle

Not long after launching her business, Donna began enjoying the kind of lifestyle that inspired her to change careers in the first place. During a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, she used her 40% travel agent discount to stay at a RIU hotel – gaining valuable first-hand knowledge to share with future clients.

And she didn’t stop working while abroad. One week she booked a trip to the Maldives, the next, another luxury cruise. Her business had become portable – and profitable.

Support, community and mentorship

Donna is the first to admit it hasn’t all been easy – but she hasn’t had to do it alone. Every new franchisee is paired with a dedicated Business Development Manager (BDM) who offers weekly guidance, goal setting and support. She also benefits from direct access to The Travel Franchise’s head office support team via WhatsApp, who can answer questions and handle admin like ticketing. And she’s part of a growing community of UK-based travel consultants who are always happy to share tips and encouragement.

At a free mentorship retreat in Turkey, she met nearly 90 fellow franchisees. “The group chat still buzzes,” she says, highlighting the ongoing sense of connection and collaboration.

Growing her client base through networking and social media

With friends and family on board early, Donna’s next step was to grow her client list beyond her inner circle. She’s started running regular work-from-café sessions and has used LinkedIn to connect with a wider audience. She’s also found her niche in tailor-made, multi-country itineraries – the kind of complex trips where experience and attention to detail really matter.

“The buzz when a customer says thank you, or when I solve a problem while they’re away — that’s when you see the value of a travel consultant.”

Committing to cruise training and hands-on experience

To continue developing her knowledge, Donna has enrolled in specialist cruise training through The Travel Franchise and has booked a place on the company’s Platinum Conference – a five-day training and networking event hosted onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing around the Bahamas.

She sees it as an essential part of her growth: combining personal experience with professional development.

Thinking about starting a travel business in the UK?

If you’re looking for a fresh start and want the freedom to work from home or abroad, The Travel Franchise is open to people from all walks of life – no previous travel experience needed. You’ll receive step-by-step training, personalised business mentoring, and the chance to earn your investment back through real sales, not luck.

Donna’s story is just one of many. Yours could be next.