Stephen Scott. (Photo Credit: Stephen Scott)
Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Stephen Scott, a luxury at advisor at Protravel based in Chicago.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I began my journey as a luxury travel advisor in 2015 after a career in worldwide sales at United Airlines and then as a strategic account manager at Royal Caribbean. Thanks to the support of CEO Fernando Gonzalez and the team at First in Service Travel New York, I was able to transition with the right mindset to focus on what was important and access the absolute best connections and resources to support clients of a high net worth. When I transitioned over to Protravel International a few years later, I was no longer crawling but walking thanks to that great start.
How did you build your business over the years?
Since I had a career in the industry my friends and family already thought of me as someone who had traveled the world. When I made the career change I was able to adjust my messaging to ensure they knew I could help them directly as opposed to pointing them in the right direction. We have been able to get fantastic referrals from entertainment customers, corporate accounts and groups, which has been amazing for our growth long term – and I’m thankful for those who made the connections for me.
What characteristic make you a successful advisor?
A characteristic that makes me a successful advisor is that I’m capable of handling myself with regard to media, public speaking and television appearances. I have appeared on CGTN America cable news a few times and have had the opportunity of speaking at dozens of major events. These opportunities help me to get our brand out there to generate leads for the business.
What have your greatest challenges been?
The biggest challenge in the beginning was consistency in bookings. It’s a rollercoaster when it comes to booking and receiving commissions because it can be all over the map when it comes to leisure sales. I have always taken the approach of looking at each customer and account as a revenue stream, which means we want to keep growing the amount and quality of each revenue stream so that no one account controls our future.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
I would say that our greatest accomplishment has been the launch of our online brand the Odyssey Travel App last June. This has given us the ability to support our clients as both a luxury travel advisors while also reaching 100s of thousands of new customers around the world. Our goal to provide our clients with the ability to book online or with us directly when needed is a key differentiator for our brands.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
My tip for new advisors is to diversify your portfolio. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, give yourself options to succeed no matter what happens in the world.
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