Laurie Reitman. (Source: Laurie Reitman)
Travel advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at :Laurie Reitman, owner of Laurie Likes Travel, an affiliate of Travel Experts.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I entered the travel industry thanks to my oldest daughter. As a practicing physician, I walked away from my career when she became a teen to stay home and provide increased supervision. I did not want to give up our family trips, both from my personal love of travel and from the standpoint of showing her its transformative power. Best decision I ever made.
How did you build your business over the years?
I started by organizing trips for a local medical group that I was already assisting before transitioning to the travel industry. Soon, friends and family started booking trips through me and within a few years my business was thriving. I now work over 50 hours a week and have had to hire additional staff to manage the workload.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
I have a strong work ethic and strive to be available to my clients at all times. I respond to calls and emails at night and on weekends and holidays. This not only helps balance my workload but also reassures clients that they can always reach me promptly. Satisfied clients often refer their friends, resulting in a steady stream of new referrals every month.
What have been your greatest challenges been?
Initially, my main challenge was familiarizing myself with various countries and visiting as many as possible. The irony is when you are a new agent you have a lot to learn, but you have few invitations for fams as you are not yet established. Now, with a busy schedule, I receive fam invitations regularly but struggle to find time to explore and learn more.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
I take pride in the numerous awards and accolades I have received. A few current honors include Celebrated Experiences Legend, Virtuoso Top Producer status in Virtuoso’s Adventure/Cruise/Ultraluxe/Family and Celebration and Culinary Communities and being an inaugural member of Global 1000. I also really enjoy solving difficult travel dilemmas. It is through my Virtuoso connections that I am often able to solve complex travel problems for my clients.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
I would encourage new advisors to seek out a mentor. Having someone to bounce ideas off of, share successes and challenges with and learn from can significantly accelerate their growth. It doesn’t have to be someone from the same office or agency. There are plenty of experienced agents out there who are willing to provide guidance. So, if you’re new, don’t hesitate to find a mentor – it’s a valuable investment in your professional development.
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