The Travel Business Unpacked

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Margaret Critz, founder of For the Good Times Travel and a current Travel MBA student. After working 25 years in corporate IT for the insurance industry, Margaret made the bold decision to leave stability behind and reinvent her career through travel. In this episode, she shares what that leap really looked like. From becoming nomadic to spending months immersed in Ireland, Margaret didn’t just start a travel business, she built one rooted in storytelling, slow travel, and intentional growth. She opens up about the difference between simply becoming an advisor and building a real business, why industry-specific education matters more than general business knowledge, and how she moved from fearful first inquiries to confidently filling a curated small-group experience in Northern Ireland. Whether you’re considering a second chapter or looking to grow your business with more clarity and intention, Margaret’s story is a candid reminder that reinvention is possible when courage meets the right foundation.

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Lee Lennon, founder of Travel by Design and longtime Gifted Travel Network member. After years creating high-touch programs for luxury cruise lines, Lee stepped into entrepreneurship and built a thriving, referral-only business. She shares how her industry background shaped her client care philosophy, how she approaches support in her business, and what it takes to design a business that truly fits your life. They also explore:• Transitioning from corporate to independent• What luxury means beyond the price tag• Building through relationships, not marketing• Hiring support as a solopreneur• Navigating the next generation of travelersFor any advisor building with intention, Lee’s journey offers real perspective on what it means to grow well.

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Melissa Nagelberg, founder of MN Signature Escapes and a standout student in GTN’s Travel MBA program.Melissa shares how she went from stay-at-home mom to thriving travel entrepreneur in under a year, building a business rooted in client care, intentional branding, and strategic support. With a natural ability to connect, she approached the industry with curiosity and commitment—leaning into GTN’s structure, community, and luxury partnerships from day one.In this episode, Melissa reflects on the mindset shifts, systems, and behind-the-scenes work that helped her grow so quickly. From overcoming the fear of starting to confidently planning complex trips, she offers a thoughtful, relatable look at what it really takes to launch a successful luxury travel business.Learn more about MN Signature Escapes at https://mnsignatureescapes.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Angela Isherwood, founder of Olive & Atlas Travel, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow from passionate advisor to confident travel entrepreneur.Angela shares her journey from a corporate, analytics-driven career into travel, how the disruption of the pandemic became a catalyst for redefining her business, and why learning how to run a business mattered just as much as learning how to sell travel. Together, Meredith and Angela unpack the less visible side of success, including hiring mistakes, building systems from scratch, letting go of control, and stepping fully into the role of owner instead of operator.They also explore:• The mindset shift from travel advisor to travel entrepreneur• Hiring lessons learned the hard way, and what she would do differently now• Why systems and processes are essential for scaling without burnout• Balancing motherhood, boundaries, and business growth• Positioning a brand intentionally in the luxury and ultra-luxury spaceAngela’s story is a powerful reminder that growth is rarely linear, confidence is built through action, and sustainable success comes from clarity, community, and the willingness to evolve. This episode is especially resonant for advisors who know they want more freedom, better systems, and a business that supports the life they are building, not the other way around.https://oliveandatlastravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jackie Wammock, founder of Travelera Partners and a graduate of GTN’s Travel MBA program. After a thriving 30-year career in commercial real estate, Jackie made a bold pivot into luxury travel advising, bringing with her a deep respect for client trust, project management expertise, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.In this episode, Jackie shares how a quiet moment on a sailboat in Croatia led to an unexpected career shift, how she brought her real estate background into her travel business, and how she built her business from a place of intention and professionalism. From her early perfection paralysis to leading successful safari groups in Kenya, Jackie’s story is a candid look at how business acumen and passion can come together to create something truly fulfilling.They also explore:Why Jackie delayed early bookings to protect client trustHow Travel MBA helped her build strong systems from the startWhat it looks like to outsource intentionally and protect your timeThe role of social media in building a personal brandHow equestrian experiences are shaping her niche safari offeringsWhether you're a career-switcher or a seasoned advisor looking to grow with intention, Jackie’s story is a thoughtful reminder that building a successful travel business isn’t about doing everything; it's about doing the right things, at the right time, for the right clients.

In this week's special milestone episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway takes the hot seat and is interviewed by guest host Lybbi Hebel, GTN's Creative Marketing Strategist. To mark the podcast’s 50th episode and one-year anniversary, Meredith reflects on the journey of how the podcast came to be, why spotlighting advisor stories matters so deeply, and what she’s learned along the way. In a warm and wide-ranging conversation, she shares the personal experiences, entrepreneurial pivots, and mindset shifts that shaped her path from Wall Street to luxury travel and co-founding GTN.They also explore:The power of story in building awareness for travel advising as a real businessWhy community over competition has always been central to GTN’s modelHow mindset went from a mystery to a core pillar of Meredith’s leadershipWhat “travel candy” is, and how it might show up in future episodesMeredith’s first “pinch me” travel moment that made it all feel realWhether you’ve been listening from the start or just discovered the podcast, this anniversary episode is a heartfelt look behind the scenes, as well as a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets intention.

In this week's special episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway was joined live at The 7-Figure Travel Business Summit by three advisors known for their standout branding. During this dynamic panel conversation, these advisors shared how they turned personal vision into powerful brand identities that not only feel luxurious, but deeply aligned with their values and voice. From finding the right designer to knowing when to pivot, they offer honest insights into the creative process behind building a brand that truly resonates.They also explore:What it takes to create a brand that reflects both passion and professionalismLessons learned from collaborating with branding expertsHow to evolve your brand as your business and goals shiftSigns your brand may be due for a refreshThe balance between aesthetics and clarity in luxury brandingWhether you’re starting from scratch or reimagining your brand’s future, this conversation is full of practical takeaways and creative inspiration.Featured Advisors:Jen Campbell Boles, Explore More Travel Co.🔗https://exploremoretravelco.com/Erica Davies, The Well Traveled Soul🔗https://thewelltraveledsoul.com/Margaret Critz, For The Good Times Travel. 🔗https://forthegoodtimestravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Laney Sachs, founder of Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures and GTN Top Producer. What began as a side hustle importing olive oil from Italy turned into a thriving travel business rooted in Laney’s deep love for Italy, her eye for detail, and her commitment to doing things right. In this episode, she shares how her early group trips grew organically from a blog and Facebook posts, why working with DMCs transformed her business (and her sanity), and how she intentionally built a team to support both growth and balance. From finding the right clients to monetizing group travel from the very beginning, Laney’s approach is a masterclass in staying grounded while scaling smart.They also explore:Why working with DMCs is a non-negotiable in luxury travelWhat made Laney a natural fit for “come with me” group strategiesThe confidence it takes to sell destinations you haven’t visitedHow she built a referral-based business from scratchHer hiring journey—and how she found the right team membersThe real mindset shift behind sustainable successWhether you’re just starting out or preparing to scale, Laney’s story is a powerful reminder that there’s no one right way to build a fulfilling travel business—just the way that’s right for you.🔗Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures: https://ortensiablutraveladventures.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Meghann Bjarnesen, co-founder of Besté Travel Design. With a corporate background in health insurance and a consulting mindset, Meghann brings a refreshingly strategic and systems-driven perspective to building a travel business, all while still working a full-time job.In this episode, Meghann shares how leaving an executive role led her to entrepreneurship, and why structure, time-blocking, and clear boundaries have been key to growing her agency sustainably. She opens up about the realities of starting a business with a close friend, finding clarity in complementary roles, and embracing the slower, often nonlinear path to seven-figure sales.They also explore:What it really looks like to run a travel business while fully employedThe value of networking intentionally, and how Meghann uses tools like the Scout Guide to drive growthBuilding trust and credibility with luxury clients, even before you have the portfolioLearning from early business mistakes, including process gaps and boundaries with clientsHow writing and content creation have become a quiet superpower in her marketing strategyWhether you’re juggling multiple roles or building your business in phases, Meghann’s journey is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line. It’s about using your strengths, staying open to pivots, and knowing when to move at your own pace.

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Kim Esté, co-founder of Besté Travel Designs. A former high school educator who once led student trips through Europe, Kim shares how a casual conversation with a friend sparked a complete career transformation—and how she’s built a thriving travel business in her 60s.In this candid conversation, Kim reflects on what it really takes to go from part-time planner to million-dollar producer, the emotional highs and mindset hurdles along the way, and why creating a brand rooted in your identity matters. She also opens up about what it’s like to build a business with a best friend, how community played a role in her success, and why she’s more confident than ever in the future of her travel career.They also explore:How Kim built momentum in a 55+ community The role of rebranding in attracting luxury clientsHow group travel became a natural nicheWhy partnership and mindset are key to long-term successHer “pinch me” moments—from Cappadocia to business class flightsWhether you’re pivoting careers or growing your luxury travel business, Kim’s story is a grounded, inspiring look at what’s possible with heart, strategy, and a strong support system.

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service. With a career spanning more than four decades, Vicki has become one of the most respected leaders in cruising and one of the strongest advocates for travel advisors.In this episode, Vicki reflects on her path from selling travel in her early 20s to leading sales at two of the world’s biggest cruise lines. She shares why relationships have always mattered more than titles, how Royal Caribbean stood by advisors during the pandemic, and why she believes kindness and compassion should guide leadership.They also explore:The evolution of the travel advisor’s role from agent to trusted advisorHow Royal Caribbean has invested in supporting advisors long-termThe cruise industry’s biggest opportunities for growth and new-to-cruise clientsInnovation at sea, from Perfect Day at CocoCay to Icon of the SeasWhy entertainment, luxury suites, and even shipboard dogs are redefining the cruise experienceHow perspective, gratitude, and “mental muscles” help leaders navigate stressVicki also shares the philosophy that drives her work: travel advisors aren’t just booking trips, they’re memory doctors, creating life-changing moments that clients will never forget.

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Christina Vieira of Showcase the World Travel. What began as a Disney-focused side hustle quickly grew into a thriving family travel business with a clear brand, strong systems, and a loyal client base. Christina shares how she built her business around busy moms, created a funnel that works, and turned marketing into her zone of genius.In this episode, Christina explains why strategy matters more than instant gratification, how she grew through a pandemic-era launch, and what it really takes to scale with a team. She also talks candidly about balancing business ownership with motherhood, and why she believes in teaching kids to travel early and often.They also explore:How to design lead magnets and funnels that actually convertTurning Disney clients into long-term, repeat travelersThe role of automation and email sequences in building relationshipsCharging fees confidently in a crowded Disney marketBuilding a team that aligns with your core valuesWhy systems, boundaries, and trust are the keys to growthFrom marketing brilliance to meaningful family moments, Christina’s story is a practical, inspiring look at building a business that supports both clients and your life.🔗Showcase The World Travel: https://showcasetheworld.com/