Ruby Stanfield (Source: Ruby Stanfield)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Ruby Stanfield, owner of Rubys Travel.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I went to college for accounting, but I quickly realized it was not the right fit for me. I worked as a waitress and bartender for many years because, at the time, it made more sense financially and gave me flexibility.
Then a new travel agency opened in my town, and the owner asked if I would be interested in joining her team. I told her I had no experience, but I loved to travel. She was kind enough to take a chance on me and said she would teach me. That was in January 1989, and I’ve been in the travel industry ever since.
I worked both jobs for many years, but travel kept growing into a bigger part of my life. In 1996, I decided to go out on my own and work from home, which gave me the chance to build my business and be there for my two daughters. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
How did you build your business over the years?
I built my business by truly caring about my clients and treating every vacation like it was my own. I always wanted people to feel that I was paying attention to the details and looking out for them every step of the way.
A lot of my growth came from word of mouth, which meant everything to me. When clients began referring family and friends, I knew I was doing something right. As the business grew, I started bringing on independent contractors to help with the workload. Many of them already had experience, but I’ve always believed that learning never stops in this industry.
One of my favorite parts of growing the business was hosting training dinners at my home. At least once a month, I would cook a big Italian dinner, and vendors would come in to train us. We learned together, shared a meal and built a wonderful sense of community. It was a really special time, and it helped all of us become stronger advisors.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
I think the biggest thing is that I genuinely care. I’ve always believed that if I would want a certain level of service for myself, then my clients deserve that same level of care and attention.
I’m also detail-oriented; I listen closely, and I try to make every trip personal. On top of that, I think staying open to learning has been key. The travel industry changes constantly, so you have to stay current and keep growing.
Most of all, I believe success comes from building real relationships. Travel is personal, and when clients trust you, they come back and they tell others. That trust from the clients and my travel advisors has been the foundation of my business.
What have been your greatest challenges?
Two of the biggest challenges I’ve faced were 9/11 and COVID. Both were incredibly difficult times for the travel industry and brought a lot of uncertainty.
What helped me through those times was staying focused on my clients and doing my best to guide them through it all. Those experiences were hard, but they also reinforced how important patience, trust and resilience are in this business.
What are your greatest accomplishments?
One of my greatest accomplishments was growing my business to the point where I could open a storefront and move out of my home. That was such a proud moment for me.
I’m also very proud that we continue to train and learn together as a team. We now do dinner trainings in the office, along with breakfast and lunch trainings, which keeps that sense of connection alive.
Today, we have eight employees in the office and 32 independent contractors working from home, and I’m incredibly proud of all of them. We truly function as a team, and that means a lot to me.
What tips can you provide advisors who are new to the industry?
For anyone just starting out, I would say the most important things are patience and commitment. This is not a business where success happens overnight. I honestly believe it takes about three years to really get established and start making a living.
You have to be willing to put in the time to build your clientele, and the best way to do that is by giving excellent service every single time. You also have to keep learning, because travel is always changing. If you stay patient, work hard and truly care about your clients, you can build a very rewarding career.
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