The Travel Business Unpacked

The Travel Business Unpacked
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Daily

Welcome to The Travel Business Unpacked, the podcast by Gifted Travel Network, the premier host agency for luxury travel advisors. Hosted by Meredith Calloway, this podcast is your gateway to discovering how to turn a love for travel into a thriving career. Explore inspiring stories, expert insights, and proven strategies for building a sustainable and lucrative travel business. Whether you're dreaming of making a career leap or seeking fresh ideas to grow your existing travel venture, this is the podcast for you! Learn more about Gifted Travel Network: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/

  1. 2d ago

    From Day Trader to Luxury Travel Entrepreneur: John Rees on Building a Business He Loves

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by returning guest John Rees, founder of J5 Luxury Travel Tailors. After leaving a successful career in day trading, John built a thriving luxury travel business centered around his passion for travel and a commitment to exceptional client experiences. In this conversation, he reflects on how his role has changed as the business has grown, from handling nearly every aspect himself to building a talented team he trusts to deliver at a high level. He shares lessons learned about leadership, delegation, and creating a company culture that allows both the business and the people within it to thrive. They also discuss the realities of scaling a travel business, the importance of focusing on your strengths, and why helping others grow has become one of the most rewarding parts of John's entrepreneurial journey. John's story offers valuable insight for advisors looking to build a business that is not only successful, but also sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with the life they want to create. 📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/GTN-freechapter 🎓 Travel Business University: https://tinyurl.com/yz462bhx 🔗 John's Website: https://www.j5travel.com/ 🔗 John's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/j5travel

    44 min

  2. Jun 15

    Nicole Shipper on Scaling a Travel Business Without Losing the Personal Touch

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway welcomes back Nicole Shipper, founder of TBN Travel Curators, for her second appearance on the podcast. Since her last conversation with Meredith, Nicole has navigated a major rebrand, continued growing her team, and faced the new challenges that come with scaling a business beyond herself. Together, they discuss what it really takes to grow a travel business while maintaining the personal service clients expect. They also explore: • The decision to rebrand and how to know when your business identity no longer reflects your vision • The opportunities and challenges of building a team of independent contractors • Creating systems and processes that maintain a consistent client experience • How hiring a customer care manager helped Nicole focus on her strengths • Transitioning to new technology and workflows to support business growth • Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and a business in a season of rapid change Nicole’s story offers an honest look at the evolving challenges that come with success and the leadership shifts required at each stage of growth. Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8f Nicole's Website: https://tbntravelcurators.com/ Nicole's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-shipper-a6a8b619/ TBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event Promocode: PODCAST

    45 min

  3. Jun 8

    The Future of Travel Advisor Technology, Featuring David Shull of Tern

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, guest host Sandy Saburn sits down with David Shull, co-founder and CEO of Tern. When David first discovered the travel advisor industry, he saw a profession filled with talented entrepreneurs who were navigating their businesses with disconnected systems and outdated technology. Rather than assuming he knew the solution, he spent years listening to advisors, learning how they worked, and building technology around their real-world needs. In this conversation, Sandy and David discuss the evolution of Tern, the challenges advisors face when running a travel business, and how technology can better support their growth. They also explore what happens when software is built around the realities of an advisor's day-to-day work instead of forcing advisors to adapt to the technology. David also shares his thoughts on the future of advisor technology, the growing role of artificial intelligence in the travel industry, and why he believes the most successful advisors will be the ones who learn to pair technology with human expertise. Whether you're curious about the future of advisor technology, wondering how AI may shape the industry, or looking for ways to create a more efficient business, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what's ahead for travel advisors. 📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8f 🔗 Tern Website: https://www.tern.travel/ 🔗 David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsshull/ 🔗TBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event Promocode: PODCAST

    49 min

  4. Jun 1

    Laura Young on Reinventing Her Career and Finding Freedom Through Travel

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Laura Young, founder of Laura Young Travel and a 2026 Gifted Travel Network Momentum Award winner. After more than 20 years in financial services, Laura made the decision to leave behind a stable corporate career and build a travel business that aligned more closely with the life she wanted. In this conversation, she shares what it looked like to start over while raising three kids, working full time, and learning an entirely new industry from the ground up. Laura opens up about the uncomfortable parts of entrepreneurship, including learning patience, defining her ideal client, and figuring out how to trust herself through the transition. She also reflects on how relationships, referrals, and clarity around who she wanted to serve became the foundation for her rapid growth. They also explore: • Building a travel business while balancing full-time corporate work and motherhood • Why defining an ideal client changes everything in luxury travel • The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur • Creating a relationship-driven business instead of relying heavily on social media • How referrals became the biggest driver of growth in Laura’s second year • The connection between entrepreneurial success, freedom, and fulfillment. Laura’s story is an honest look at what it takes to reinvent yourself professionally and personally. For advisors navigating growth, career transitions, or the desire for more freedom, this episode offers both practical insight and meaningful perspective. Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8f Laura's Website: https://laurayoungtravel.com/ Laura's LinkedIn:   / laura-young-travel   TBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event Promocode: PODCAST

    41 min

  5. May 25

    Why Advocacy Matters for Every Travel Advisor, Featuring Jessica Klement

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jessica Klement, Vice President of Advocacy for American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).Jessica shares how she built a career in advocacy, starting on Capitol Hill before eventually finding her place in the travel industry. Together, Meredith and Jessica unpack the work happening behind the scenes to protect travel advisors at the state and federal levels, work that many advisors benefit from every day without even realizing it.From proposed legislation that could directly impact advisor businesses to the importance of grassroots involvement, this conversation offers a deeper look at why advocacy matters for every travel advisor, not just industry leaders. Jessica also shares how ASTA works alongside advisors across the country to ensure lawmakers understand the real impact their decisions have on travel businesses and their clients.This episode is a reminder that advocacy is not separate from the day-to-day work of being a travel advisor. It plays a direct role in protecting the future of the industry and the businesses advisors work so hard to build.Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fASTA Website: https://asta.org/Jessica Klement's LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/JessicaKlementLITBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/e...Promocode: PODCAST

    49 min

  6. May 18

    Kim Weas on Why the Right Advisor Community Matters

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Kim Weas, founder of MoonTide Travel. Kim shares her journey from accidental travel advisor to established business owner, and the pivotal moment she realized her business needed something different to keep growing.From navigating a host agency transition to redefining her vision for the future, Kim offers an honest look at what business evolution really looks like for travel advisors.They also explore:• When it’s time to rethink your host agency• Why the right advisor community makes a difference• Moving from booking trips to building a true business• Mindset shifts around growth, fees, and confidence• What established advisors should consider before making a changeA thoughtful conversation for advisors navigating growth and change.Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fKim's website: https://www.moontidetravel.com/TBU Live Tickets: giftedtravelnetwork.com/eventPromocode: PODCAST

    55 min

  7. May 11

    How Nancy Gany Built a Referral-Driven Luxury Travel Business

    This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Nancy Gany, founder of Inspired Steps Luxury Travel and a Travel MBA alum who has quickly built a thriving, referral-driven luxury travel business based in relationships, trust, and elevated service. With a background in consulting and project management, Nancy shares how she transitioned into the travel industry during the uncertainty of the pandemic and discovered that many of the same skills that made her successful in corporate life, listening well, building relationships, and solving problems, became the foundation of her success as a luxury travel advisor. Meredith and Nancy unpack what luxury travel advising actually looks like behind the scenes, from cultivating hotel partnerships and creating personalized VIP experiences to confidently narrowing your niche and knowing when to say no. Nancy also shares how focusing on Europe and luxury hotel bookings helped her create a business that aligns with both her expertise and the lifestyle she wants to build. The conversation also explores the value of preferred partner programs, the difference between being a “booker” and a true advisor, and why strong client relationships continue to fuel Nancy’s business almost entirely through referrals. Whether you’re new to the industry or refining your own luxury niche, Nancy’s story is a thoughtful look at how clarity, professionalism, and genuine care can create a sustainable and fulfilling travel business. Nancy's website: https://inspiredstepsluxurytravel.com/ Sign up for TBU LIVE with promocode PODCAST for $20 off your ticket: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event

    47 min

  8. May 6

    Celebrating Travel Advisor Appreciation Week with Shannon Cunningham

    In this special bonus episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Shannon Cunningham, Director of Engagement at Gifted Travel Network, to celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day and GTN’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Week. Together, Meredith and Shannon shine a light on the heart, resilience, and behind-the-scenes work that make travel advisors so valuable. They reflect on the entrepreneurial journey advisors navigate every day, the importance of celebrating both small and big wins, and the role community plays in making this career feel less isolating and more fulfilling. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that travel advisors are not just planning trips. They are building businesses, advocating for clients, creating meaningful experiences, and helping move the travel industry forward. Whether you’re a new advisor or a seasoned business owner, this conversation is a celebration of you and the work you do. 📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/4pbvtr8fTBU Live Tickets: giftedtravelnetwork.com/event Promocode: PODCAST

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Travel Business Unpacked, the podcast by Gifted Travel Network, the premier host agency for luxury travel advisors. Hosted by Meredith Calloway, this podcast is your gateway to discovering how to turn a love for travel into a thriving career. Explore inspiring stories, expert insights, and proven strategies for building a sustainable and lucrative travel business. Whether you're dreaming of making a career leap or seeking fresh ideas to grow your existing travel venture, this is the podcast for you! Learn more about Gifted Travel Network: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/

Information

  • Creator
    The Travel Business Unpacked
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Travel Business Unpacked
  • Show Website
    The Travel Business Unpacked

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