Posted 04 August 2017
Sonia Brobbin started a new life as a Travel Counsellor in May 2017. Here she tells us her story of how it's a journey like no other.
Passionate about discovering the world we live in, Sonia started working in travel at the age of 16. Having travelled far and wide, one place still stands out. “My ultimate favourite place was India. Driving between Taj Safaris camps in Madhya Pradesh and coming across a small village who had just had a new fresh-water well installed. I will never forget their faces and smiles and sheer happiness.”
After many years gaining a wealth of experience in agencies and tour operators, and first-hand travel stories, it was a job she loved, but the time had come to make a change. Wanting to spend more time with her toddler, Hector, and 8-year-old step-daughter, Harriet, the straight-talking Sonia started to look elsewhere.
“I felt that working for company and being paid a wage had run its course; it was time for me to make my own money and try it for myself. My travel knowledge is excellent and was being wasted, I needed to use my brain.”
Work-life balance was something Sonia craved: being able to work flexibly around the kids alongside self-employed husband, Simon. So, she called upon the help of her friend Anita, who told her all about Travel Counsellors, being one herself.
Being the busy and brave mum she is, Sonia knew she had to bite the bullet. Anita put her in touch with the New Franchise team who told her everything she needed to know and put her mind to rest. Sonia made the most of the short journey between her home in Cheshire and Head Office in Manchester by popping in to see us before deciding Travel Counsellors was for her.
“I attended a Discovery Day at Head Office, which was great. I did come back a few times to speak to people face to face. I met lots of people, including the Digital Director, Waseem Haq, and Travel Counsellors at different stages of their journey. It was nice to see/hear it from multiple angles.”
In her own words, Sonia said: “It was a difficult decision (to join Travel Counsellors). It’s a big ‘what if’ situation.” But by being unafraid to ask lots of questions and by preparing for her training, Sonia was confident she’d made the right decision.
The end of May brought Sonia’s induction training in Head Office, the first week of her 8-week leisure training programme.
“I really enjoyed the sessions with Mike Graham (Head of Sales Promotions). He's a bundle of energy and puts you on the spot. This really helped me with networking and now I’m constantly prepping speeches in the mirror. (Social Media Specialist) Laura Belshaw was a pro with the tips for social media but the Phenix training with Ann Spencer was probably the most important for me. Ann has a lot of patience, and all the staff I met are a real credit to the company.”
Having attended numerous networking events and worked hard to get her name out there, Sonia has already made some fantastic bookings and provided unforgettable holiday memories to her customers.
And for her? “I have the freedom and life balance which is the most important thing. If I could sum it up in one word, it would be ‘Jubilant’. Having joy and satisfaction makes life much better.”
If you want to start a new career and feel jubilant like Sonia, get in touch to find out how you can…
