Michelle’s Leaping Time Zones

Michelle’s Leaping Time Zones Wander often, travel smart! I help dreamers explore the world by building a business with ease!

I love seeing that the travel advisor profession is one of the fastest-growing, remote and entrepreneurial career paths-...
17/08/2026

I love seeing that the travel advisor profession is one of the fastest-growing, remote and entrepreneurial career paths- LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise 2026 report puts it at #18, with a fast and steady climb over the last 3 years. 👀

So when people ask why I chose this path and I’m focusing so much on it leaving the rest to the sidelines, it’s because it’s fulfilling, rewarding and for me, a ton is fun.

I could have moved on with each “shiny new opportunity” (and actually almost did a few months ago)…that had come my way over the last 7.5 years, but instead, I stuck to what I truly love. Because I know in my gut that I’m doing what I want, not what somebody else looked good on paper. It is their path, not mine.

I love to travel, and always have but helping others travel when they don’t know where to start, is my passion- one I did for free for decades. And I’d have to say, making it my business in 2019 was the right move. Am I getting rich? Not quite yet… but that’s not my goal. 😉

For now, my destination is my family, my peace and my schedule. And this year, my road is leading me on a beautiful scenic path.

For everyone who’s been watching me on this travel business journey, thank you! Your support is appreciated and as always, I’m here to help you travel your way ✨

Working today on research for:-an Ireland and Scotland trip-a Greece trip-travel documents for my Barbados clients that ...
10/08/2026

Working today on research for:
-an Ireland and Scotland trip
-a Greece trip
-travel documents for my Barbados clients that leave on the 23rd
-and my own Thailand Vietnam itinerary…
in this spot and not moving. Emails sent, a training done, headphones on and notes being taken while exploring new places from my phone.

I rarely sit out in the sun or float in the pool, but today I am and I am thankful I can still work.

Not So Fun Fact Monday! I cannot service your trip if you booked on your own. Read that again. I CANNOT service your tr...
10/08/2026

Not So Fun Fact Monday!

I cannot service your trip if you booked on your own.

Read that again.

I CANNOT service your trip if you booked on your own.

I’ve run into a few instances with people reaching out that I quoted trips for and then they booked on their own (they have that right and no hard feelings), as they found it “cheaper” on a consolidator site like Cheap Caribbean or Expedia etc.

Flights got cancelled (happening often), room type was incorrect or they had service issues like hot water not working, poor housekeeping, a leak from the ac, and they wanted to know what I could do to assist.

Unfortunately….NOTHING.

I can’t do anything. I offer my service from start to finish, when you book through me.

“I’ve never had a problem booking with these sites before!”.

That’s often the case but that’s when all goes perfect. When any issues arise, I promise you, those third party sites have no obligation to you and will pass you through 4 reps and have you on the phone off and on for hours. While you’re on vacation and missing your entire first day. I feel awful when I get those messages asking me to rebook a flight or asking for my guidance. And I cannot help.

For me, travel is not something I look for to be “cheaper” when it means my trip could be ruined easily and nobody can hold my hand and help.

This week I got to welcome another business partner into my world to mentor. One that was a client, but now will be taki...
04/08/2026

This week I got to welcome another business partner into my world to mentor. One that was a client, but now will be taking on booking travel. And with her love for it, I know she’ll be great!

Every time someone joins me, it makes me stop and look back at the last seven and a half years in these 2 businesses I have that connects me to travel, and honestly, at the whole winding road that got me here.

Since the start of this year alone, ten people have become agents through me. That’s on top of the ones who came before, over the six years prior. And I want to be clear about something. I have never once tried to convince a single one of them that the travel industry was worth being part of.

That’s not what I do. And it’s the reason most don’t quit and they stick with it.

Because. what I do is show people what’s possible. Not through a highlight reel. Through the real thing. The ups and the downs. The raw, real and whole messy, human journey. If you know me, you know I believe in transparency and honesty.

I’ve been a retail store manager- for many many years. I walked away from that to chase a passion for catering. I’ve navigated grief while quietly pushing through struggles nobody saw behind the scenes. My path here was anything but a straight line.

Could I be further along if I hadn’t taken all those detours?

Honestly, yes. No doubt about it! I have always had the ability.

But here’s what I know now. Those detours are exactly what built me. They showed me my own persistence. They gave me a backbone. And somewhere in all of it, they deepened my love for travel and for this big, beautiful world in a way a straight path never could have.

I don’t regret the long way around. It’s the reason I have anything worth teaching.

Because helping people travel? That’s my passion.

But helping people make travel their business? That’s in my soul.

So if you’ve been watching from the sidelines, wondering, quietly curious, I’m not going to chase you or convince you. I’m just going to keep showing you what’s possible, and leave the door open for whenever you’re ready to walk through it.

**my days now consist of trips to the zoo, playing matchbox cars with a tinier human, watching my plants thrive, cooking more, yoga, and self care. Things I was missing in the chaos. But I wouldn’t give up the chaos of the past if it meant I wouldn’t be in this place today. ❤️

HOT TOPIC OF THE DAY! This question comes up often as I book for clients, and some ask for their own room even when they...
03/08/2026

HOT TOPIC OF THE DAY!

This question comes up often as I book for clients, and some ask for their own room even when they know the people well, or for myself personally when planning trips for conferences etc.

My personal take is I share a room with very few people. I only have 2-3 girls I’m comfortable with sharing a room. This is for so many reasons. Examples: I don’t want to find out of someone is super messy, doesn’t like ac (I love sleeping cold), sleeps late when I want to get up and moving but feel weird making noise, takes super long showers and hogs the bathroom leaving me less time to get ready (though I’m super quick), snores… and on and on.

I won’t share with people I don’t know, so when it comes to finding a room in my business travel world, I have to be willing to know it’ll cost me more. Because the above is not a price I’m willing to pay.

Thoughts?

**meme only for laughs! Who spends the extra $$ for a direct flight vs saving a few hundred $ to have a 2-3 hour layover...
02/08/2026

**meme only for laughs!

Who spends the extra $$ for a direct flight vs saving a few hundred $ to have a 2-3 hour layover?

I’d love to hear thoughts and reasons below!

Things Travel Agents do to save you money: Knowing which airlines operate together. And booking our clients properly. I ...
22/07/2026

Things Travel Agents do to save you money:

Knowing which airlines operate together. And booking our clients properly.

I will use my personal booking as an example.
I am looking to book Boston to Bangkok in January as part of my Thailand and Vietnam 2 week trip for our 30th (I know!!) anniversary.

Knowing Alaska Air partners with Qatar and sells inventory on Qatar, I found my flight I was originally booking direct for $554 less one way! Additionally, it’s FULLY refundable no extra insurance needed to cancel (I do purchase comprehensive separate), carries the same TWO free checked bags, and seating assignments.

It literally “pays” to use a TA (or to be one and know these things 😉 ) that doesn’t cost you anything more to use them, but can help you get the best options for your trip.

*** side note- these are not travel agent portals… these are consumer sites.

As you all know... I book and love booking travel. I’ve helped new agents with their travel businesses over the years an...
12/07/2026

As you all know... I book and love booking travel.

I’ve helped new agents with their travel businesses over the years and while it’s not my main focus, it’s one I enjoy very much also.

If you aren't aware, ANYONE can become a travel agent very easily with little investment , although being a GOOD travel agent takes a lot of work and time.
Most who choose to become a travel agent do so through a host agency, so you have the tools, training and credentials you need to start booking right away. And that’s something I love that we provide.

There’s no quotas, no locked in contracts, no pressure, just a fun community of travel enthusiasts, and we have some of the lowest monthly hosting fees with great agency commission split.

For some, they choose to become a travel agent even just to book their own trips for themselves, friends and family to learn the ins and outs of the travel industry and earn commission.

I am always happy to answer any questions you have if you've ever thought of doing this, so let me know! I smile daily that I get to do this.

A year ago my life was in limbo. I truly had no idea that 2026 would be the year I would get to be a stay at home Nonni ...
12/07/2026

A year ago my life was in limbo. I truly had no idea that 2026 would be the year I would get to be a stay at home Nonni (something I love so much), working a travel business full time and my catering part time.
I’ve also had the honor of being asked to officiate multiple weddings and I don’t take that honor lightly.

If you have ever wanted to or wondered how to get out of the chaos, the mundane and create a life that you control, without it controlling you, we should talk.

I’m walking this season with a mindset that I did not have this same time last year. I was scared, overwhelmed, making myself ill and not pouring the time I needed into my family, friends and myself.

I have clients in Hawaii and Bali, more leaving for cruises, Nashville, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Aruba shortly and I am beyond thankful this is where life has taken me.

❤️

If someone handed you $25,000 right now and told you that you could only spend it on a trip- where would you go, how lon...
18/06/2026

If someone handed you $25,000 right now and told you that you could only spend it on a trip- where would you go, how long would you be there and why did you choose that destination?

👇🏼 mine in comments

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