30 November 2017
Five of our Travel Counsellors celebrated their ten-year anniversary with the company this month. Two of them, Meath-based Mandy Walsh and Louth-based Fidelma Brady, started their TC journey together on the same day back in 2007 and remain great friends ever since.
We chatted to Mandy and Fidelma at our recent Top Travel Counsellor Event held at the K Club about life as a Travel Counsellor.
When Mandy isn’t being super mum to her 10-year-old daughter Ella or taking part in Crossfit Games, she is busy winning Best Honeymoon Provider awards. Mandy started her Travel Counsellors journey when her daughter was only 6 months old and has proven time and time again that we should all dream big.
“Despite being a single working Mum, I am always there for Ella. She was 6 months old when I became a Travel Counsellors and now after 10 years I can truly say that I have been there for every single parent teacher meeting, school play and sports day. You name it - I haven’t missed an event yet. To be able to do this and not feel any pressure from anyone is just wonderful.”
Mandy, what is so special about working for Travel Counsellors?
Being a Travel Counsellor is really special - being your own boss but with the support of the team here in Ireland and in the UK means you are never alone. I have so many wonderful TC colleagues which is just fantastic. Down to the simplest of questions needing answering you know that someone is always there for you and your clients. It’s a fantastic feeling.
What motivates you every day?
Being in charge of your own destiny and knowing the future has really no limits as a Travel Counsellor is a really amazing feeling and that alone is really motivating.
What is the hardest/least positive thing about working for yourself from home?
Staying positive on a bad day is maybe the hardest thing but this is always turned around quickly because of the support that’s there for me.
What would your advice be to someone that is thinking about becoming a Travel Counsellor?
Go for it and don’t ever look back. I believe and have always believed that we should dream big. The last 10 years for me have meant that year on year I just simply dream bigger. Reaching your goals on a personal level and in business is invaluable and I am really looking forward to next 10 years as part of Travel Counsellors Ireland. Joining Travel Counsellors was the best decision I ever made.
Fidelma Brady is a mother to two little girls, 10 year old Molly and 9 year old Kate. She gets to walk her girls to and from school every day and balances her work with her kid’s gymnastics as well as a great social life with her husband and friends.
“The best thing about working from home is the flexibility to work my own hours and to be there for my family and let’s be honest… never having to travel to work! On days where I have to be somewhere else & I am stuck in traffic I think to myself… how do people do this every day!”
What is so special about working for Travel Counsellors?
Travel Counsellors is a special people centred business, it’s a family business and this family consists of all our Travel Counsellors and our head office staff who work together to achieve something amazing. The focus is on caring and supporting each and every TC and of course our very loyal clients. I have made lifelong friends like Mandy and we are all there to support each other no matter what.
What motivates you every day?
Every day I feel motivated by challenging enquiries, hearing from a repeat client, getting a referral from another client - each day is so different. The excitement of converting an enquiry into a booking is so strong as you realise your hard work has paid off and the benefits to you are great as a result.
What is the hardest/least positive thing about working for yourself from home?
Sometimes it is hard to switch off, especially in the early years but now I am much better at it.
What would your advice be to someone that is thinking about becoming a Travel Counsellor?
Just do it but be prepared to build your business & give it time to grow. Things don’t happen overnight – it’s a lifelong commitment to yourself & your family but one which has really great rewards.
Here’s to another 10 years ladies!
