Posted 11 September 2015
Here at Travel Counsellors we work with people from a huge range of varied backgrounds with different home lives and different aspirations for their business. With us there is so much support, we put people first and put them in contact with other like-minded individuals. Sharing knowledge, experience and tips helps you make the most of your new travel business and makes you feel like part of our TC family. Every individual has a different work- life balance, but the beauty of becoming a Travel Counsellor is that you can alter this balance to fit you perfectly. This blog explores the lives of some of our Travel Counsellors around the world and what impact becoming a Travel Counsellor has had.
Tamarin Seymour, based in South Africa
My job gives me time to have a life, with good time management I go to gym five days a week, I get to take my children to school and take them to extra activities and I still have time to prepare healthy, balanced meals for my family without wondering how I am going to get to everything. Every now and then a ladies tea gets fitted in as well.
I take my children to gymnastics x1 per week, cricket x2 per week and swimming x2 per week. All the other children are taken by public transport but I get to fetch my children and spend that quality time with them. I also get to take them for play dates in the holidays and don’t need to send them for holiday care as they get to stay at home with me and in the off chance they are ill there is no question of what to do. My children don’t seem to think I work, they don’t understand how dad leaves to go to an office and I stay at home. They do think it’s really cool that I book people on aeroplanes though!
Marijike Davel, based in South Africa
In all honesty, I’ve personally never been good at getting my work and life balance right. I always tended to work later or go in early and not get enough time with my family. Now I can take my kids to extra activities and I am available for them whenever they need me. No more asking for leave from work; my work and my family life work together to fit.
I’ve had a few positions before ranging from normal consulting to team leader roles but this role works best with the rest of my life. Finding a babysitter during the school holidays was always such a headache and now I don’t have to worry about this. Working from home allows me to take my kids where they need to be and be around for them. My kids don’t really remember life when I worked in a high street store but I constantly remind them how lucky they are. Compared with situations where a mom works at an office from 9 to 5, who is unable to do so much of the stuff I do with them- even just being around for them.
Lynde Opperman, based in South Africa
I have the perfect work/life balance now. I can assist my clients from anywhere as my life is so flexible. I am able to travel and enjoy all that my family has to offer whilst also being there for my clients whenever they need me. Working from home and not from a store, has given me the time and space to look after myself. I started exercising again, followed a healthy eating plan (not just grabbing some fast food at a store) and managed to lose 15kgs and counting. I am healthy, happy, and successful in my career.
If my child is sick, it is wonderful to just have him stay at home, and not having to try and get somewhere for him to be for the day. This was always a huge worry for me when I worked in the store. Now that my child is older, it is just great to be able to be at all his sports games. Never having to miss one, because I can’t get out of the office. Even if I am busy, I will just take my iPad with me and work from the side of the field when needed. My son loves it. I earn more (yes, this is important to him!), I am always there for him, and now that I am fit and healthy, we do way more outside activities together, like hiking, water skiing, jogging and cycling. I am one happy TC.
Jane Simm, based in UK- Bolton
I control my working hours to suit myself and my family, it is complete control, and it’s fantastic! I can make sports days, doctor’s appointments (without having to rearrange them), parents evenings and even make dinner every day now, by dinner I mean non-microwave meals! Even with my friends, I can see them on a regular basis. If I need to work I can, be it late at night when my son is in bed or early morning before he goes to school.
I was a wedding coordinator before, running a small team at a venue in Bolton, I loved it but was struggling with my son hardly ever seeing me at the weekend and he was always having to be with Grandma or the child minder. Something had to change and I decided it was time to put my family first whilst taking on a new challenge/career.
Natalie Cross, based in UK-Kent
After having my children I still wanted to work! So here I am nearly two years into Travel Counsellors with 2 ½ year old twins! I am there in the mornings to look after them, I can take them to nursery, I can take them out to zoos, parks, playgrounds, the seaside, we can go on holidays, I read them a story and tuck them into bed every night.
It is hard when you are building the business up to get the work/life balance right, but I feel like I’m getting much better with it! I do dedicate a lot of my evenings to working but I find that it is also convenient for my customers to speak to me in the evenings too. It also means that during the day I can dedicate time to my children.
Loren Wilson, based in South Africa
I find that I can co-ordinate my day to be in ‘two’ places at once if need be because my system is portable. My corporates have my mobile number and I have built up a relationship with them that if I am not at my desk that they can call me at any time for any assistance. Weekends are family time as I don’t get called into an office for back up consultancy. My children have noticed a difference with me being at home too!
“I love it, because you get to stay at home and I love seeing you.” – Erin, 8 years
“I love your job because you get to be here mom and you are always at my games. You have time and you spend time with us” – Tyler, 11 years
These stories are just a snapshot into the world of Travel Counsellors but it is clear to see how big of an impact it can have. Becoming a Travel Counsellor gives you the freedom and the power to enjoy your work life, be successful in your career and never miss a second of precious family time. We know that you don’t want to have to make a choice between your work and your home life and with Travel Counsellors you don’t have to. No matter what your lifestyle, how you choose to prioritise your time- this role works around you to fit seamlessly into your day to day life. To find out more about becoming a TC feel free to email us for more information at [email protected] or call us on 0800 987 0279.
