Why did I start this business?
First let me tell you a little about who I am and my background and then, if you are still reading, how I came to be a Travel Consultant.
I was raised in a family of loyal employees. My father a government worker in the Armed Forces and my mother employed at colleges and universities in administration and management. I moved around a great deal and never really knew or understood anything about business. Certainly not home based businesses, and also did not really know people who owned their own business.
I became a loyal employee as well, starting out with the Canadian Forces myself, and then government employee as a Probation Officer for the past 27 years. I have also learned and contracted in some research and then started and ran a women’s shelter, victim assistance program, followed by being a part time executive director of a large social service agency. I understand contracting, and union employees. I know about deadlines and pressure and tend to see myself “applying” for work instead of “making” my own business success.
That is my background. I have personal interests and success in quilting, jewelry making, watercolor painting, weight loss, walking and writing. I tend to favor and gravitate toward a strong women’s community and am at my best when I am in my bliss.
Travel has always been part of my life, growing up with frequent moves across the country of Canada as well as a year in Europe, Germany to be specific. My family camped and traveled internationally all my life, and I continue to enjoy long drives as well as flights to just about anywhere.
As I near the end of my career with government and I think about possible retirement, I think about how much left I have to do and see, and how I want to get that accomplished.
A few years ago I was remarried and enjoyed my first cruise across the ocean and around the Hawaiian Islands. I was hooked on my first cruise. I began searching and researching with a fever. I was part of a cruise with 13 women to Mexico and started a Women’s Travel Club. Ideas of where I wanted to go next, and next and my bucket list continued to grow. I discovered a love to travel with friends and family, the more the merrier!
One day as I was searching the net, I stumbled on a picture that I must have seen many times without registering. A women, confident and happy, sitting on a deck chair on a cruise ship, with a portable computer on her lap, obviously working and living her dream. I remember the thought, as the words formed, “I could do that”. “Could I do that?”. I pushed the button to request more information, had an interview with a brilliant business man, Jeremy, owner of Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise in Victoria, BC Canada.
He was enthusiastic and helpful, cautiously advising me that it may take a few years to really have a solid income doing this part time, from home. I became a mobile travel consultant and have enjoyed immensely the journey from that date. I have made it my work and purpose to travel all over the world, to fulfill my bucket list, and to help others do the same.
I have also started another home based business to assist with financial commitment that goes along with travel and the goals I set for myself. I travel on many different cruise lines, to many locations, and experience what I can of what there is. I enjoy my meetup groups with women who also seek to travel. I enjoy assisting and accompanying my family and friends to travel with me in a style that suits every budget and desire.
I have found myself learning about doing business, by being in business. I have much to learn and surround myself with brilliant business people and attend network opportunities to keep expanding my learning. I take on line training and attend in person events when I can.
The most significant learning takes place in the world, with people and in places I used to dream of and now have begun to experience.
Thanks to all the lovely people in my life; mentioned here and throughout my blog – who have joined my journey.
Please add your comments to this blog, giving a testimonial or just letting me know you are here, with me, on the journey.
Bon Voyage!
Cruise and Vacation Consultant
E-mail: pmacdonald@cruiseshipcenters.com
Visit: http://www.PamelaMacDonald.cruiseshipcenters.com
Hi Pam
What kind of package could U arrange for paris from Victoria mid January? Air & hotel in St Germaine district for about $100 per nite (single) Or double if U know of another mid aged F member who would also like to go?