Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Lindsey Holmes, owner of Kingdom Destinations.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
Looking back on my childhood, the strongest and best memories I have are of the times that I spent in the Disney Parks. I remember jumping between the dancing water at EPCOT with my grandma, and riding attractions like It’s A Small World and the Three Caballeros. Those memories are so ingrained in my mind and are so dear to me that I wanted everyone to have the same opportunities with their families.
I began to research how I could plan vacations for families and which agencies were bringing on completely green agents. I started working as an independent contractor for a Disney-affiliated agency. I was so grateful for this opportunity and the relationships that I was able to cultivate through my time there.
However, my goals grew and changed slightly. I decided that I wanted to make a bigger impact and thought that in order to do so I needed to open my own agency. I am highly relational. This this is something that I don’t take lightly and hold in the very highest regard.
How did you build your business over the years?
Word of mouth is so important [as is] asking for the business [and] asking for the sale. Don’t be afraid to come out and ask for that deposit. Ask for a referral or for a review! You can’t just expect for business to fall in your lap. You have to go and get it. You definitely cannot be aggressive, because people don’t like to be sold to, but they certainly do like to buy. I built my business with that understanding – listening to people, their needs and their desires and then providing those things.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
As I stated, I am highly relational. Our business is based on the ability to build solid relationships. If you are able to cultivate connections between yourself and your clients then you will be one step ahead of the rest!
Your reputation is also so important. I believe that integrity is an integral piece of the puzzle when it comes to what helps you to be successful.
For me, personally, I define success a little differently than some. If I can say that I am consistent in who I say I am, in what my behavior is, in what my belief system is, but yet can take responsibility for when I make a mistake then I am already successful.
It is my personal opinion that character and integrity are the most important things that make anyone successful before financial success. Character and integrity define who you are, and at the end of the day, that is what your legacy is.
When you have strong character and are a person of integrity, that builds trust. When your client trusts you, that makes them want to do business with you and in turn refer you to their friends and family as well.
In addition, having compassion, the ability to listen to your client and their needs, the desire to go the extra mile for your client, being extremely responsive and communicating to your client in the style that they communicate are also important qualities that help to make you successful.
What have been your greatest challenges been?
Navigating COVID. This was something none of us had ever gone through before and had no real protocol for such a thing. I will say, though, that the team that I have working with me is absolutely incredible and I give all props to them for being where we are, because without them, we are nothing. We are what we are because of who we are as a team.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
I could tell you about the awards we have won and our sales numbers and the growth we have experienced. But I think my greatest accomplishments would be having the current leadership team that I have in place.
Second to that are the mentors that I have who are mentoring my newest advisors.
Third is my team as a whole. These people are truly the heartbeat of our organization. Have there been hiccups along the way? Sure. Every organization has them. However, [they] are team players, all in, focused, dedicated, hard-working, good hearted people of integrity. I could not be more proud to have every single one of them representing me and Kingdom Destinations.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Always be a student and learn as much as you can. This industry is constantly changing. Soak it all in. Travel as much as you can, personally. Find a mentor that you trust. Don’t be shy, talk about your value. Get some good processes in place early to work smarter, not harder. Get certified (there are a few certifications out there), position yourself as an expert and define your niche.
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