From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Building a Luxury Travel Business with Ashley Carlson

From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Building a Luxury Travel Business with Ashley Carlson

Making the leap into entrepreneurship is never easy, especially when you're leaving behind a career you've known for years. In this episode, Meredith welcomes Travel MBA graduate Ashley Carlson, founder of Carlson Travel Co., to share how she transitioned from elementary school teacher and stay-at-home mom to luxury travel entrepreneur. Ashley reflects on the mindset shifts, branding decisions, and uncomfortable moments that helped shape her business, from investing in a professional brand and website to speaking at local events and attracting clients beyond her personal network. She also shares how the skills she developed in the classroom continue to influence the way she serves her clients today. If you've ever wondered whether you're ready to take the leap, this conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't something you wait for. It's something you build by taking action. 📖 Free Chapter: https://tinyurl.com/GTN-freechapter 🎓 Travel Business University: https://tinyurl.com/yz462bhx - 🔗 Ashley's Website: https://carlsontravelco.com/ 🔗 Ashley's LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/mtpdjk9c

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

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

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

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 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkIwdVdrb0ZnWmN3U2xUWV8tRFl3dk84WlNud3xBQ3Jtc0ttUlYteGtmQlJPUnRSWm5CVEN4NXptOHEtc1plakkyVFZZT3VobkJ1ZjVYQndXc2hhWmpuZFpHaGdvaHR0bGtobW5vWGJBV09QSVpOdEVrcUNkN1FxRXFOUlI1NmtaYmZRU29OcDdJajMxNGlCV3gtTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F4pbvtr8f&v=63_PReXa-ZA] Laura's Website: https://laurayoungtravel.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFpPZ3VqaTJ2WHhwMWdHVDlZcU9yU0N6SjZCZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsNHJKTGZtcDJSRGlNeXFWbmxSR3F2UlJtTThDNF81dDlSMnIxWjBhN2xsU1hKTVRmR3UtR3VuLUg4S0RTVVVFcEtPS004TmdRMDJzd2J3azA3RUZWRzBFdFNaSk9kLXRQOHpGcnpNRzdSbmpIbzZqdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Flaurayoungtravel.com%2F&v=63_PReXa-ZA] Laura's LinkedIn:   / laura-young-travel   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjZjSGFJNXJjUUp3dXZpZkhGRlZwcnNobkNmZ3xBQ3Jtc0trNDMxMC01RmtkY0dKdWlSWVByVnd4YjFZV0NQcnR3WGxRZFh0YnQ1RmoxbERkZkJfUEVTeEZYcTFEeWNUeEMzaFBoQU84dHNuMWlEOFc2eERFTWFiOS05TThpclQ1Zi1SSllsV3piQ0NUVWdFRWZiZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Flaura-young-travel%2F&v=63_PReXa-ZA] TBU Live Tickets: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/event [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjJaSlZGeDdXU2V0blNoaGJYSUg5OXc4eklxd3xBQ3Jtc0tseW5UZlkzYUd2SXBQQi1jdjVPaHBkdC14dmprZlhGZW16ZFJZb05DNTdBck9oZkVucmxQdnFQV01JMUx1ckRZdkpDbTVGQU9FT0xTaHN6RFNRcTUxZlM1MTZkdkhmYnpvS1d5U1JHQmNURlg2VlVKNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com%2Fe..&v=63_PReXa-ZA] Promocode: PODCAST