25/04/2025
It's been a minute since I've done a getting real with you episode. You might want to pull up a chair!
This could be an annoying post to some of you and enlightening to others.
Ladies come to the front, because most times you're the target and I don't want you to get caught up.
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of chatter on Facebook/instagram about becoming a travel agent—usually something like “join the industry and travel for free or get paid to travel”.
Let’s get into it and clear a few things up, shall we? In the past year or so I have seen increasing posts from different accounts all pushing the same “business opportunity”. The promise for you to become an independent travel agent, be your own boss, earn money by booking holidays for yourself and others, and change your life, all by signing up for this amazing opportunity.
I hate to break it to you, but it’s all bu****it. This is Multi-Level Marketing. What is an MLM? It’s a pyramid scheme. Sell if you can or recruit your friends/strangers. All while paying the “agency” a monthly fee.
First. If you want to be a travel agent, go to a reputable agency. The moment anyone wants you to pay a fee for it, it’s time to walk. If they ask you to recruit people, WALK.
This brings us to:
Myths About Travel Agents... Because somebody's gotta say it.

MYTH #1: Travel Agents Travel for Free and get paid to travel.

About 95% of the trips you see me take? I pay for—just like you. The travel agent discounted rate ? It’s earned after booking a serious number of clients with that brand. And there are blackout dates. Guess when the blackout dates are? Lol during the times you actually want to travel. Those “free” or hosted trips you hear about? They come with WORK, contracts, learning sessions, and required sales goals. And guess what, when we go on those FREE trips, because it's work you go solo. No family, no friends. IT's WORK!!! Oh—and let me not forget to mention the startup costs, monthly fees, revenue splits, commission delays, marketing, and royalties to keep our business afloat. It’s giving entrepreneur, not “free trip.” I haven’t done a “fam” trip in years. I have gone to conferences, but I’ve paid for those too.

MYTH #2: This Job Is Glamorous & Easy
Oh, you think I just book trips and sip cocktails all day? Cute.
Let me paint a picture: back-to-back calls with suppliers, hunting down the best pricing, hours of destination research whether it be cruises or land, webinars (SO many webinars), and answering client texts that start with “Hey quick question…” at 10PM.
Do I love it? YES. After 30 years of doing it, I better.
Is it always pretty? NO. I just make the s**t look good!
It takes passion and grit.
MYTH #3: We’re Just Here for the Perks
Let me keep it 100 with you—if you’re in this or thinking about getting into it for “free travel” or perks, you’re gonna be disappointed real quick. This is a professional industry. Every day I’m educating myself, managing complex bookings, and handling ALL the details so my clients vacation are seamless. It’s not just a job—it’s a craft.


Just today, my inbox included:

Is my transfer booked?
A fine from an airline for making a mistake on an airline ticket. This fine does not affect the clients ticket at all.... but yes, we pay out of pocket for any mistakes.

10 different quotes on various things

A reply about vaccines for Ghana

A refund battle with an airline

Cancelled connection flight for someone that is mid air already

Visa requirement issues for someone going to SE Asia.

A cruise itinerary change
And this was before 930 am. You know what I didn’t get? A single invite to a free vacation or incentive. DANGIT

So if you’ve ever wondered, just know there’s a whole lot of hustle, heart, and late-nights that goes into every trip we plan. I do this because I LOVE it. I do this because creating lifelong memories for families light me up.
If you want to get into this business, RESEARCH the heck out of the agency so you're not wasting time and money. Don't get sucked in by the pretty shiny thing.
Now back to work.
