21/10/2026
🎉✈️ TWO YEARS IN BUSINESS – WHAT A JOURNEY! 🌍🚢🥂
I can't quite believe it's been two years since I took the plunge and started my travel business as a Personal Travel Consultant with Experience It Now Travel!
Looking back at my very first Facebook post, I thought it would be nice to reflect on the last two years, everything I've learned and just how far I've come. 💙
When I started, I had a huge passion for travel. I loved exploring new destinations, researching holidays and putting together travel plans. But there was so much about the travel industry that I didn't know!
Two years later, that passion is still as strong as ever, but the knowledge and experience I've gained along the way have been invaluable.
✈️ Learning a whole new industry
From learning different booking systems and working with numerous travel suppliers to understanding cruise packages, flight options, hotels, transfers and all those little details that make a holiday run smoothly, it's certainly been a learning curve!
I've learned that being a travel consultant involves far more than simply finding someone a holiday. It's about listening, researching, comparing options, problem-solving and understanding what really matters to each customer.
🚢 My first travel agent FAM trip
One of my biggest highlights was being given the opportunity to experience my first travel agent familiarisation (FAM) trip onboard MSC Seaview.
Although I'd cruised before, this was a completely different experience. I was looking at everything from a travel consultant's perspective, learning about the ship, cabins, restaurants, entertainment and facilities, and understanding which types of customers it would suit.
I even had the opportunity to explore the exclusive MSC Yacht Club!
It reinforced something I really believe in — first-hand experience and honest advice are so important when recommending holidays.
I've since been able to use that experience, alongside my own personal travels, to share genuine reviews and recommendations.
🌐 Building my own website
Another achievement I'm particularly proud of is building and developing my own travel website!
This has been another completely new learning experience, from creating pages and writing travel blogs to learning about website design, search engine optimisation (SEO) and how to share useful travel information online.
It's taken many hours, plenty of trial and error, and a lot of patience!
What started as a way of promoting my business has developed into somewhere I can share my own travel experiences, destination guides, cruise reviews, tips and inspiration.
And, like everything else, I'm still learning and improving it!
🌍 Travelling, exploring and sharing experiences
Travel has always been something I love, and over these two years I've continued exploring destinations, experiencing different hotels and cruise ships, and discovering new places.
I've also really enjoyed turning those experiences into honest travel blogs and sharing the things I've learned — including the good, the not-so-good and the little tips you don't always find in a brochure!
💙 The reality of building a small business
I won't pretend it's all been easy!
Building a travel business alongside my NHS job and everyday life takes time, commitment and determination.
There are countless hours spent researching holidays, preparing quotes, learning new systems, updating my website, creating posts and keeping up with an ever-changing industry.
And, of course, building a customer base doesn't happen overnight.
There have been challenges, frustrations and moments of self-doubt along the way.
But I've also learned that progress isn't always measured by the number of bookings you make.
It's about developing your knowledge, gaining experience, building relationships, learning from challenges and becoming better at what you do.
Looking back, I realise I've achieved more than I sometimes give myself credit for.
❤️ The most rewarding part — my customers
Nothing beats the feeling of helping someone find a holiday they're really excited about.
Whether it's a relaxing beach escape, a cruise, a city break or a special once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I love researching the possibilities and finding something that suits them.
And when someone comes back to book with me again, or recommends me to their friends and family, it genuinely means so much.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that no two customers are the same, and the perfect holiday means something different to everyone.
🥂 So, what have two years taught me?
That you never stop learning.
That building something takes time.
That experience and knowledge really do make a difference.
That sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone.
And that there's always something new to discover in the world of travel!
I certainly don't know everything, but I know so much more than I did when I wrote that very first post two years ago.
And I'm looking forward to continuing to learn, develop my business and hopefully help many more people create wonderful travel memories.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me over the past two years! ❤️
Whether you've booked with me, returned to book again, recommended me, shared my posts, read my blogs or simply followed my journey, I really do appreciate every bit of support.
Here's to the next chapter, more adventures, more learning and continuing to do something I genuinely enjoy! 🌍✈️🚢
🎂🥂 Happy 2nd birthday to my little travel business!
Helen 💙
Helen Frampton at Experience It Now Travel
🌐 https://helenframptonexperienceitnowtravel.co.uk/
📧 [email protected]
📸 And here's where it all began… my very first Facebook post from two years ago!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bp5ZWxv4x/
