No Experience, £500k in Sales, and a Refunded Franchise Fee

When Stuart signed up with The Travel Franchise, he wasn’t chasing a quick win. With two young kids, a part-time job as a sports analyst, and no background in the travel industry, he was looking for something more meaningful — a flexible business he could grow around family life.

I just thought… I could do this. I love researching holidays. I’ve travelled a lot. And I wanted more control over my work and life.

The Franchise That Pays You Back

Just 12 months after launching his business, Stuart hit a major milestone: he reached the sales target required to trigger the franchise’s Money-Back Challenge and received a full refund of his initial franchise fee.

To get that money back — it felt incredible. A real moment of pride. It showed me I’d built something real.

This refund isn’t a fluke or one-off bonus — it’s a core part of what The Travel Franchise offers. In fact, it’s the only travel franchise in the UK that gives new franchisees the chance to earn their investment back in full, simply by reaching a set commission target within their first year.

No Experience? No Problem

Stuart’s story began with a simple booking. After arranging a holiday through another franchisee, he realised he could do the same — and turn his love of travel into a business. He didn’t have industry experience, but with The Travel Franchise, he didn’t need it.

Full training, daily support, and a personal mentor gave him everything he needed to start from scratch and hit the ground running.

The support was the biggest thing for me. I’d never done anything like this before, so knowing there’d be someone to guide me was massive.

Growing a Flexible Business Around Family Life

Stuart launched his business just days after completing training. He joined a local business networking group, partnered with nearby businesses, and quickly built up a reliable stream of referrals and loyal clients.

All of this was done around the school run and his other job. His hours were limited, but his growth wasn’t. “I’d be lying if I said it was always easy. But it was achievable.”

Nearly £500,000 in Sales – and a Full Refund

By the end of his first year, Stuart had sold nearly £500,000 worth of holidays and hit the Money-Back Challenge target — getting 100% of his franchise fee refunded.

This achievement shows what’s possible with the right mindset, support and business model — even if you start with no prior experience. “If you’d told me I’d sell nearly £500k of holidays in year one, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am.”

Is The Travel Franchise Right for You?

Stuart’s advice for anyone thinking about taking the leap is clear:

The first year of any business is a challenge — but with this franchise, you’re never alone. The support has been unbelievable. If you’re thinking about it — just go for it.

Looking for a franchise that rewards your hard work? With full training, daily support, and the unique chance to earn back your entire franchise fee, The Travel Franchise offers one of the most accessible and rewarding business opportunities in the UK.