TIQUE Talks: The Business Podcast for Travel Advisors

Robin Bradley and Jennifer Jacob
  • 4.9 (145)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to TIQUE Talks Podcast - a live-workshop style travel business podcast packed with actionable step-by-step tips that are helping hundreds of travel advisors redefine success, grow their bottom line, and find balance in their business. Join us, Florida-based business partners Robin Bradley and Jennifer Jacob, for value-packed, hilarious conversations and impactful interviews with other industry leaders. With every episode, our mission is to empower you with information, expand what you think is possible for your travel business, and hopefully make you laugh along the way! We are honest, open, and above all, human. We are committed to learning right alongside of you so that we can all find more balance, joy, and peace while pursuing those big, scary business goals. Whether you are brand new to the industry, have a side-hustle, or you are growing a travel booking empire, this is the show for you. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

  1. 1D AGO

    217. Hot Take: How To Start A Business From Nothing

    Started your travel business with zero network, zero book of business, and zero luxury clients? Same! In this Hot Take, Robin and Jennifer discuss what it looks like to build a business from scratch when you don’t have a network or years of sales experience backing you. From awkward early marketing attempts to learning how to show up consistently online, this episode is the reminder that success isn’t about who you know. It’s about visibility, resilience, systems, and staying in the game long enough for people to finally pay attention. If you’ve been feeling behind, discouraged, or stuck in comparison mode, press play now! Mentioned In This Episode: Episode 83: Attracting Ideal Clients & Fostering Relationships Built On Trust with Heather Keller Episode 168: How To Sell A Million In Your First Year with Katie Gibson Seven Figure Sales FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    21 min

  2. 4D AGO

    216. Don’t Assume A DMC Will Break Your Client's Budget with Jonathan Epstein

    Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYTIQUE for 20% offFlytographer - Earn commission on professional vacation photographyTravel Collection - Connect and learn more about TC’s DMCs Think a DMC is automatically out of your client’s budget? Think again! Jonathan Epstein, Chairman and owner of Celebrated Experiences, explains why that assumption is costing you better trips, smoother client experiences, and more profitable bookings. He also gives details on what really goes into DMC pricing. From navigating budget conversations to protecting your time and reputation, you’ll learn how the right destination partner can elevate your service without adding more to your plate. If you’ve been hesitating to reach out to a DMC because of price, this episode will change your mind! About Jonathan Epstein: Jonathan is Chairman of Celebrated Experiences, a leading luxury destination specialist for England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Since joining the family business in 2006, he has helped grow the company from four employees to a 70-person team serving travel advisors across North America and Europe. Jonathan also founded Celebrated Impact, a charitable initiative that donates $1 for every hotel room night booked, contributing more than $400,000 to organizations and disaster recovery efforts. Passionate about mentorship and hospitality, he serves on several nonprofit and industry boards. A Birmingham native and Trinity College economics graduate, Jonathan lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children. instagram.com/celebratedexperiences Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Supplier Communication Templates: tiquehq.com/shop/supplier-communication-templates Start With Why by Simon Sinek: amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 Today we will cover: (01:50) Meet Jonathan Epstein; what makes Celebrated Experiences different(04:10) DMC vs. destination specialist(11:00) Working efficiently with mid-range clients(17:40) The “5-minute rule” that shapes the entire trip experience(28:30) Peeling back DMC pricing(34:00) Planning fees + why they matter to your partners(40:35) Red flags with client funds and financial handling(51:40) Overcoming fear of losing clients(55:10) Let experts create the magic FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    1 hr

  3. MAY 8

    215. Hot Take: You Should List Your Pricing

    TIQUE’S TRAVEL ADVISOR APPRECIATION SALE IS LIVE! Enjoy 20% OFF May 4th-8th → SHOP NOW Should you put your pricing on your website? Yes. Full stop. Jennifer and Robin make the case for fee transparency, because hiding your pricing doesn't convert skeptics, it just attracts the wrong clients. Robin shares a cringe-worthy Botox appointment story that proves exactly what happens when financial surprises ambush people mid-process, and Jennifer breaks down the many ways to coach clients on investment before they ever land on your calendar. Clear is kind, "starting at" is your best friend, and the right clients won't bat an eye. FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    19 min

  4. MAY 5

    214. Creating Seamless Multi-Destination Trips with a DMC with Milena Stancati

    Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Cozy Earth - Use code COZYTIQUE for 20% offFlytographer - Earn commission on professional vacation photographyTravel Collection - Connect and learn more about TC’s DMCs Multi-destination trips look dreamy until the seams start to show. In this episode, Milena Stancati of Travel Collection dives into what makes complex itineraries work and where many advisors quietly lose control. From missed transfers and mismatched service levels to chaotic handoffs between countries, she shares the exact points where trips fall apart and how to fix them before your client ever notices. You’ll learn how to structure trips like a story with intentional pacing, why “three nights minimum” changes everything, and the behind-the-scenes systems top advisors use to manage multi-country travel without the overwhelm. If you want to sell bigger, more complex trips without the stress (or the risk), this is the episode you need to hear! About Milena Stancati: Milena Stancati is a travel industry leader and Head of Business Development at Travel Collection Limited, where she partners with travel advisors across North America. With nearly seven years at Context Travel, she helped scale global experiences and deepen culturally driven travel. Raised in an Italian-American family, her love of travel was sparked by stories of heritage and history, leading to a lifelong passion for exploring the world. She’s visited 70+ countries and spent a year traveling across continents with Remote Year. Now based in Charlotte, Milena brings a thoughtful, story-first approach to travel, and when she’s not working, she’s chasing her goal of running a half marathon in every U.S. state. instagram.com/travelcollectionltd Recourses mentioned in this Episode: Travel Collection Form Simple Fee Calculator Today we will cover: (03:00) Meet Milena Stancati; Travel Collection(08:55) The biggest failure points (the “seams”)(17:30) How to fix the seams before they break(24:00) Structuring a multi-country itinerary that flows(33:20) Client briefs, transition checklists, and partner coordination(40:30) How to structure planning fees for multi-destination trips(43:10) Post-trip debriefs; improving future trips FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    48 min

  5. MAY 1

    213. Hot Take: A Real Business Costs Real Money

    TIQUE’S TRAVEL ADVISOR APPRECIATION SALE IS LIVE! Enjoy 20% OFF May 4th-8th → SHOP NOW You thought starting a travel business meant freedom, flexibility, and maybe even five-star perks. But behind the scenes? It’s duct-taped systems, second-guessing every decision, and wondering why it still feels so hard. In this fiery Hot Take, Jennifer and Robin pull back the curtain on the real reason your business isn’t flowing and it has nothing to do with your talent. It’s what you’re avoiding. The investments, the systems, the foundations that separate hobbyists from professionals. This episode is the line in the sand. Keep piecing it together and stay stuck, or finally build something that works. Need additional guidance? Email hello@tiquehq.com! FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    21 min

  6. APR 28

    212. Booking A Group: Step By Step with Marilyn Cairo

    Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Travel Collection - Connect and learn more about TC’s DMCsFlytographer - Earn commission on professional vacation photographyCozy Earth - Use code COZYTIQUE for 20% off Group trips sound like easy money until you’re managing contracts, chasing availability, and realizing your “100 guests” is really just 60. In this episode, Marilyn Cairo, VP of Sales for Groups at Classic Vacations, breaks down what makes group bookings and destination weddings run smoothly and profitably. From qualifying clients and locking in dates to navigating contracts, attrition, concessions, and those last-minute weather calls, this is a clear, no-fluff look at how to book large groups the right way so you can avoid the headaches later. If you’re ready for group trips to feel streamlined, strategic, and profitable, this is the episode to press play on! About Marilyn Cairo: Marilyn is a seasoned sales leader with over 30 years in the travel industry, known for driving revenue growth and building high-performance teams. She combines strategic vision, disciplined execution, and strong client relationships to consistently exceed goals and elevate performance. A respected speaker and thought leader, she delivers practical insights on sales, branding, and innovation that challenge teams to evolve and perform. Currently serving as Vice President of Sales, Groups at Classic Vacations, Marilyn continues to shape modern sales leadership with a results-driven and people-focused approach. linkedin.com/in/marilyn-cairo-sales-leader classicvacations.com/v2/ta-registration Recourses mentioned in this Episode: Sales Call Roadmap: tiquehq.com/sales-call Travel Advisor Contracts: thelegalpaige.com/collections/industry-travel-advisor?aff=143 Episode 156. Group Bookings 101: Contract vs. Flex with Ateet Ajuha Today we will cover: (02:05) Meet Marilyn Cairo(05:40) How to properly qualify a group client(12:20) Dates, destinations, and setting realistic expectations early(21:45) Contracts 101: how the process works through Classic Vacations(26:00) Why every advisor needs a client contract before signing anything(29:35) Advisor vs onsite planner(34:45) Concessions explained: what you can actually ask for(40:20) Using group tech to simplify everything(49:15) Tapping into corporate incentive travel FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    56 min

  7. APR 24

    211. Hot Take: Running A Business Reliant on Global Climate

    The world feels chaotic and your clients can feel it too. So what actually happens to your business when uncertainty hits? And more importantly, how do you stay booked when everyone else is hesitating? In this Hot Take, Robin and Jennifer talk about how to navigate unpredictable seasons without losing momentum. From what to say to clients right now to how to adjust your booking strategy, systems, and offers, this is the behind-the-scenes guidance most advisors don’t think about until it is too late. If bookings feel slower or clients are second guessing, this episode will show you how to pivot with confidence, stay visible, and position yourself as the expert people trust when it matters most. Because the advisors who get this right are not just surviving these seasons, they are coming out stronger because of them. Have a topic you’d like discussed in a future Hot Take? Join the Niche Community and submit your questions anytime through the form on the platform. → JOIN NICHE FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    17 min

  8. APR 21

    210. What It Means To Create A Long-Term Career in Travel with Meredith Calloway

    Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Travel Collection - Connect and learn more about TC’s DMCsFlytographer - Earn commission on professional vacation photographyCozy Earth - Use code COZYTIQUE for 20% off Meredith Calloway, co-founder of Gifted Travel Network (GTN), breaks down what it really takes to build a long-lasting career in travel. She shares why so many advisors stay stuck in an employee mindset, and how shifting into intentional entrepreneurship starts with getting clear on your message, audience, and brand. The conversation also dives into mental fitness, unpacking how fear, limiting beliefs, and industry setbacks like 9/11 and COVID shape your growth, and how to tell the difference between intuition and avoidance. You’ll walk away with practical, CEO-level shifts you can start implementing today - from reverse-engineering your revenue goals to investing in yourself, surrounding yourself with the right community, and building habits that support long-term success! About Meredith Calloway: On a mission to help entrepreneurs build businesses they love, centered around their passion for travel, Meredith draws on more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, lessons learned through trial and error, and a deeply cultivated resilient success mindset. In 2001, she left her career on Wall Street to establish her own boutique travel agency, Hills of Africa Travel. She founded the Global Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs (GIFTE) in 2011, providing education and support to help “accidental hobbyist” travel advisors build sustainable businesses. In 2013, she co-founded Gifted Travel Network (GTN) alongside Jennifer Cochrane and Vanessa McGovern to address gaps within the host agency landscape. GTN introduced a comprehensive, all-in-one approach to marketing, business strategy, and mindset education for travel advisors. While leading both GIFTE and GTN, she ultimately chose to sunset GIFTE in 2021 to focus fully on GTN’s mission: delivering an elevated hosting experience for luxury travel advisors. giftedtravelnetwork.com linkedin.com/in/meredithhill instagram.com/meredith.calloway Today we will cover: (02:40) Meredith’s journey: leaving Wall Street to start a travel business(05:10) Why your brand must start with your message and ideal client(09:40) What it really takes to build a six-figure travel business(13:55) Reframing challenges; setbacks vs. comebacks(20:35) Intuition vs. fear(26:45) Practical shifts to thrive as an advisor FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ

    32 min
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4.9
out of 5
145 Ratings

About

Welcome to TIQUE Talks Podcast - a live-workshop style travel business podcast packed with actionable step-by-step tips that are helping hundreds of travel advisors redefine success, grow their bottom line, and find balance in their business. Join us, Florida-based business partners Robin Bradley and Jennifer Jacob, for value-packed, hilarious conversations and impactful interviews with other industry leaders. With every episode, our mission is to empower you with information, expand what you think is possible for your travel business, and hopefully make you laugh along the way! We are honest, open, and above all, human. We are committed to learning right alongside of you so that we can all find more balance, joy, and peace while pursuing those big, scary business goals. Whether you are brand new to the industry, have a side-hustle, or you are growing a travel booking empire, this is the show for you. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

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