Jim and Julie Welch (Source: Julie and Jim Welsh)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Jim and Julie Welch, owners of Amaze Travel, an affiliate of Montecito Village Travel.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
We both came to travel after established careers in business, Julie in private equity and Jim in mergers and acquisitions. Yet we always shared an entrepreneurial drive and passion for travel.
We briefly considered acquiring an existing Virtuoso agency, but ultimately chose to build our own so we could define and deliver luxury travel exactly the way we envisioned.
Also, early on, Montecito Village Travel took a chance on us as independent contractors despite our unconventional background, which gave us a strong foundation and runway to build from.
How did you build your business over the years?
We built the business very intentionally, starting with our own network, which allowed us to focus on quality over quantity from the start.
From there, growth has been almost entirely referral-driven. We’ve kept things very organic, relying on word of mouth within trusted circles.
It naturally leads to a strong alignment. Clients come to us with a sense of trust already in place, and they tend to understand our niche and the level of service we provide. It’s a model that helps us maintain the exclusivity and attention to detail that defines our work.
What characteristics make you successful advisors?
Our success comes from first-hand experience. We’ve traveled from a young age and studied and lived abroad, exploring destinations in meaningful ways. It allows us to think beyond what clients will see and really consider how a trip should feel and how to maximize that for each individual.
Just as important are our relationships. Knowing a destination is one thing, but knowing the right hotel manager, guide, chef, artist, etc., to connect with a client makes all the difference. Those connections are what allow us to create personal experiences.
And then there’s the trust our clients place in us. They often come with ideas that we refine and elevate into something more thoughtful and complete. Our role is to bring confidence and expertise to the client.
What was your greatest challenge?
Early on, one of the hardest things was learning to say no to trips that didn’t align with the kind of travel we wanted to specialize in. When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to take everything, but staying true to our vision has been essential in shaping the brand and maintaining the level of service we offer.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
Our greatest accomplishment is in creating memories for our clients. When planning a trip, it is common to think in terms of cities, hotels, and landmarks, which all set the stage, but we love getting excited about how our clients are going to feel when they meet a certain guide, walk on a certain street, take in a beautiful view, and share a long-overdue connection with loved ones.
Recently, a family who returned from traveling told us they would ‘cheers’ to us every night at dinner. Knowing we made such a positive impact means everything.
We also take great pride in what we’ve built as a family. Sharing our love of travel and the realities of building a business with our children has been incredibly fulfilling. Both of them had stamps in their passports before they turned 1, and we regularly explore the world together through travel, stories, maps and photography. Teaching them to embrace curiosity, diversity, and the beauty of travel feels like an accomplishment in itself.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Pursue education relentlessly. Travel widely, meet suppliers in person, attend virtual tours and webinars. The more experience and education you have, the more confident and nuanced your recommendations will be.
Seek out mentors. Humility is essential, and you can’t know everything right away. There are many kind people in this industry who are willing to share their insight and guidance.
Stay true to your vision. It’s tempting to chase every opportunity, but building your business in a way that aligns with your values and your brand will create the best kind of growth. Over time, your reputation for quality and integrity will do much of the work for you.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
