Tuesday, 16 January 2018
When Donna Powell decided to start her own business, she had many concerns and worries as to whether she could make it work. She will tell you that it hasn’t been easy and that there have been many ups and downs. She was needing to take the leap of faith so that she could be there more for her family. Donna chose Travel Counsellors due to the support that was offered. 8 Years later Donna is positive for the year ahead, saying that 2017 was a tough year for her on many fronts.
We asked Donna a few questions and this is what she had to say;
What attracted you to join Travel Counsellors?
I was pregnant with my second child and the idea of sending her to school, so that I could work full time was not at all appealing to us. So, I started looking for some options and considered Travel Counsellors.
Travel was my passion and I was not ready to give it up. I knew that I did not want to work full time nor on weekends and I didn’t like the pressure of having to meet targets etc. My life was about to change with me having a second child and I knew that I needed to take control of the things that would really matter going forward.
Did you have any fears or concerns about going on your own?
Yes of course – I was mostly concerned about not being disciplined enough nor being self-motivated enough to work alone from home.
I was anxious to give up the ‘security’ of a salaried job (but now I realise that there is no security in a ‘salaried job’ as I see people all around me losing those ‘salaried jobs.’ And I wasn’t sure I would be able to make enough money.
Initially, I didn’t have the confidence and I had no idea that I was actually a very good travel agent. I believe that this would be true of so many other travel agents too. I didn’t know that I was good as I never asked, and no-one ever told me… and it never occurred to me to ask for feedback from my clients.
Becoming a Travel Counsellor – they have shown me just how good I am encouraging me to get feedback and to ask for referrals from my clients was just amazing. Plus, never once in my 8 years have I spent a morning sitting on my couch watching day-time soapies… like I had initially thought!
Why did you choose Travel Counsellors?
I chose Travel Counsellors as they did all our ticketing at Head Office and at that time there were only 2 ITC models. I felt that Travel Counsellors offered the most support and at the time it matched what I needed. I also knew a few people who were TC’s and I tried to meet some other TC’s at various functions, so that I could get a realistic picture as to what being a TC was all about.
Since joining Travel Counsellors how has the business grown/moved forward in terms of technology etc?
The technology that Travel Counsellors offers us is designed to HELP us (and it will NOT replace us – as we see happening all around us), and this makes me smile. I have partnered with a company who want to help me to get better at my job, they are not a company who want to get rid of me, nor to put a machine in place that can do my job.
I recently had a technology experience where a debit order of mine bounced. I received a phone call from a machine… ‘your debit order has not been received... press 1 to make payment, press 2 for more options’ etc etc. In all honesty, it was SO COOL – it was quick and easy, and I didn’t feel any embarrassment, but after I hung up I stopped smiling and I realized that somebody had lost their job to this cool automated piece of technology. In hindsight, I would prefer to speak to a person.
This made me realise how lucky I am to be a TC and to have partnered with a company where the technology is ONLY-ONLY-ONLY there to help us and to grow our businesses, to make our jobs easier or better and more fun, but NEVER to replace us. This gives me great confidence.
What do you love most about being a Travel Counsellor?
* What I love most is working from home
* I love being my own boss
* I love that I can decide how much time to spend working and that means how much money I earn!
* I know that TC is very proud of their systems BUT for me it’s all about the people, it’s the person at HO who thinks out of the box and who comes up with a workable solution, it’s the person at HO who phones me back when they say they will, it’s the colleagues who LIVE MY LIFE and understand my ups and downs. I have never experienced anything like this before.
* I love the support from HO and my colleagues
* I love the family spirit that has been created.
* I love that the Travel Counsellors systems help my business grow.
* I love my clients, even the challenging ones!
* I love how being a TC has allowed me to grow personally as a travel agent and that I am not prescribed on what or how to say or do anything.
What has becoming a Travel Counsellor done for you personally?
It’s the little things that most people don’t put much value on but that I value so much like;
* Being at home when the kids are sick
* Or being there when a courier package is being delivered
* Or being there when the pool guy is coming
The list is endless…
It’s also about being a ‘soccer mom’ (which is practically a full-time job) and still running a successful business.
I know that one day my kids will look back and realise that they were very lucky to have their mom around (although I know it doesn’t always feel that way). While it is sometimes hard now, I know that the long-term benefits are far bigger for all of us.
Last year a close friend of mine had cancer and treatment – it was really nice to be able to be there for her when she needed me the most.
What do you hope to achieve in 2018?
I want to achieve more than what I achieved in 2017. Last year was a hard year for me both professionally and personally, but 2018 is already picking up and looking like a good start to a good year.
I would also like to be able to take the family on an amazing holiday at the end of the year.
What is your favourite destination?
I love Mauritius and I love Egypt and have been there twice. Something that I absolutely love is getting my teeth into is an itinerary for a destination that I don’t know much about. I love doing the research and learning as I go. My recent favourite destination like this was Macedonia …. Who knew!
What is on your bucket list?
Russia, a Cruise & Australia
What advice would you give to someone thinking about going on their own and starting their own business?
* Do your homework
* Know your limits – you need to consider if going on your own is right for you and that you select a travel partner who will best support what you need.
* Before you start - put some money away to help you in the leaner months.
* Start telling everyone about your business as soon as you can.
* Get a good buddy who will help you when you need it most!
If you can resonate with what Donna has shared, then we would love to talk to you. Why not book onto one of our upcoming events to find out more about life as a Travel Counsellor.
