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!