From HR and IT to million-pound travel success with The Travel Franchise

Lee and Louise Trowbridge have transformed their careers from HR and IT to running a thriving travel franchise, having achieved over £1 million in commission and £2 million in sales in 2025 alone.

How did Lee and Louise transition from corporate jobs to travel entrepreneurship?

Seeking greater flexibility and enjoyment, Louise left her HR role and began exploring new self-employment opportunities. Inspiration struck during a honeymoon in Jamaica when a chance encounter with one of The Travel Franchise’s successful consultants revealed the potential of a travel franchise. “He said he was a home-based travel agent, and the rest is history,” Louise explains. Six weeks later, she completed her franchise training and quickly began booking holidays from home. Lee soon followed, departing his IT job to help grow their business.

What role did support and training play in their growth?

Lee and Louise credit ongoing training as a critical component in their success. While they participated in weekly webinars from travel suppliers, overseas retreats provided by The Travel Franchise proved particularly transformative. Louise describes the Millionaires Retreat in Mallorca as a game-changer: “It was a real penny-drop moment. By the end of the week, I’d got several bookings and the confidence to really take things seriously.”

The couple also attended the Elite Experience, an event in a luxury destination designed to help franchisees scale their operations. “The Millionaires Retreat helped us get sales and customers; the Elite Experience helped us improve margins and stability with smart tweaks.”

How have they diversified and scaled their business?

Since embracing The Travel Franchise model, Lee and Louise have made nearly 2,000 bookings and achieved impressive sales figures in 2025, with several months still remaining in the year. They recently opened a retail travel space in their hometown, which has increased bookings from local walk-ins. Louise notes, “Many locals still prefer that personal, face-to-face touch.”

Social media has played a significant role in their growth as well. “Our biggest ever booking was for £85,000, and it came from Facebook while we were on holiday in the Maldives!”

What drives their ongoing motivation and success?

Effective teamwork is at the core of their business. While Lee manages social media and Louise handles sales, their division of responsibilities leverages their individual strengths. They also attribute their progress to The Travel Franchise’s mentorship, regular calls with their Business Development Manager, and valuable technology such as the T-Profile quoting tool and CRM platform Vision. “The support is phenomenal,” Louise affirms. “The new T-Profile quoting tool has been fantastic. And Vision gives us insights that keep us motivated to improve.”

What’s next for the franchisees?

With a growing team and successful retail hub, the couple is now looking to expand further. Louise says, “We’d love to expand, maybe open more premises, and build the infrastructure that allows us to step back a little.” Their remarkable journey from corporate life to travel entrepreneurship demonstrates what is possible with determination, partnership, and the right franchise support. “We work for ourselves, travel the world, and have met amazing people we now call friends for life. The Travel Franchise will do whatever they can to help you grow. They’re on an incredible journey, and we’re proud to be part of it.”