Friday, 7 September 2018
Thea has just completed her 5 day induction course at the Travel Counsellors head office in Cape Town. We caught up with her to ask her a few questions to firstly get to know her better and secondly to understand her journey to becoming a Travel Counsellor.
What is your background and where did you work before becoming a Travel Counsellor?
My Career as a Travel Agent began in Gaborone, Botswana in 2001 where I worked as a trainee for 2 years and then ventured off on my own booking and continued to work for Travelwise where I worked for 6 years until I relocated back to South Africa.
From 2006 to 2007 I was employed as a Senior Consultant with Carlson Wagonlit booking mainly corporate travel. I left as my husband started his own business and needed me to fill the role of HR Manager which I did, and I joined Travel Counsellors in 2010. My husband’s business was not doing well, and I was struggling to fulfill this role whilst trying to build a travel business at the same time. It was all getting to much, so I left Travel Counsellors and focused on his business in 2013 but unfortunately things didn’t work out and my husband liquidated his business in 2016. We moved back to Botswana as my husband got a better work opportunity and we started our live over again. It was a tough few years I started working for Galaxy Travel in Botswana as a Travel Manager and managed the office.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (family, hobbies, pets, interests, places you've travelled)
I am a qualified photographer, I love fishing, but safari's and wildlife is my ultimate passion. I love clay pigeon shooting and photography. I own an African Grey called Coco, he is my pride and joy. I have a son called Cameron, he is 8 years old he too is my pride and joy. I have travelled to France, Australia and most SADC Countries.
What does becoming a Travel Counsellor mean for you? (Whether it’s a better work/life balance, more time with your family, being able to do more for your customers, how do you think being a TC will change your personal and work life?)
Joining Travel Counsellors again has really been such an inspiring experience, the first time I joined I never got the concept of family, of course I have family, but being part of Travel Counsellors is soo much bigger which I know understand. The support is phenomenal and no other company in the Travel Industry can beat this. I am so excited and cannot wait to start using all the tools that is on offer.
What motivated you to start your own travel business?
I am used to being my own boss, it is what I want to be.
What are you looking forward to most about being a Travel Counsellor?
I am looking forward to being part of the Travel Counsellors family, making loads of money and providing my clients with a service that is not comparable with other Travel Companies.
Have you set yourself any goals or milestones for what you want to achieve in your first year?
My goal is to earn at least 1 million in the first year!
Have you started planning how you will grow your business/find new customers, and if so how?
I already have a customer base to start from and with me and I believe that there are many business opportunities in the North West Area as well as in Botswana.
What do you love most about working in the travel industry?
I am very passionate about Travel, I love creating the dream holiday for my clients and it is inspiring for me I feel like I get to travel with them.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would like to go to Kenya and experience the Masai Mara, it has always been on my bucket list; the reason is because I am passionate about wildlife and enjoy the outdoors.
If you too would like to start your own travel business or if you would like to find out more then get in touch with us. We would love to speak to you.