Taking the leap: why Lucie became a Travel Counsellor after a 20-year career

When Lucie joined Travel Counsellors on our January induction, it wasn’t a leap into the unknown. It was the natural evolution of a travel career nearly 20 years in the making.

Starting out as cabin crew before progressing into roles with global travel brands and respected independent high street agencies, travel has always been more than a job for Lucie. Since entering the industry in 2006, she’s built deep product knowledge, strong commercial awareness, and a reputation for delivering exceptional service.

But like many experienced travel professionals, she’d started to dream about building her own business.

Taking the plunge

“I’ve wanted to work for myself for years,” Lucie explains. “With the support of my husband, James, being able to support our family at this time, I felt it was the right moment to take the plunge.”

After nearly two decades of building value inside established travel businesses, Lucie knew she had the experience, credibility, and customer understanding to create something of her own. What she needed was the right framework — one that would give her independence without isolation, and freedom without unnecessary risk.

That’s where Travel Counsellors came in.

“What really struck me was the strong sense of community and support, combined with the freedom to run my own business,” she says. “The personal, customer-focused approach, backed by technology and full business support, felt like the perfect fit.”

Sure from the start

Lucie didn’t spend months comparing franchise options. In fact, she didn’t explore any others. During a week in Mauritius, she happened to meet three Travel Counsellors and saw first-hand how they operated — confidently running their own businesses, backed by the technology, support and community that’s unique to Travel Counsellors.

“Spending time with them and seeing how they worked confirmed that Travel Counsellors was exactly what I was looking for,” she says. “After that, I just knew.”

Having only ever worked in high street agencies, stepping into self-employment naturally came with questions. Would she miss the shop environment? Would it feel isolating? Would she have enough support behind the scenes?

Those concerns quickly disappeared after speaking with recruiter Julia Speed, who explained clearly how the model works.

“I was thoroughly reassured and confident that joining was the best choice for me,” Lucie says.

Support from day one

From recruitment through to induction, Lucie describes the process as seamless.

“Julia, my recruiter, made everything so easy and was always on hand to answer my questions,” she explains. “The induction has been just as positive — easy-to-navigate modules, clear milestones, and fantastic support from my trainer, Dawn Bould. It’s honestly the best onboarding experience I’ve ever had.”

That structured approach is designed to do exactly that: replace uncertainty with clarity. From day one, new Travel Counsellors are guided step-by-step through setting up and launching their business, supported by practical training, accessible systems and real people who genuinely want them to succeed.

Even in these early days, Lucie has felt the difference.

“From my recruiter and trainer to my induction group, my TC mentor, and the wider community, everyone has been so welcoming and genuinely encouraging. I always feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help without ever feeling judged.”

For experienced professionals used to high-pressure sales environments, that culture of openness and support can be transformational.

Building for life

For Lucie, this move is about more than career progression. It’s about ownership and work-life balance.

“I’m most looking forward to using my experience to work for myself rather than for an employer,” she says. “I’ve thought about running my own business for years, and now I finally have the confidence to do it.”

With two young boys, flexibility was a major factor. The ability to build a business around school runs, after-school activities and family life — without compromising professionalism or earning potential — made the decision feel even more important, and today her goals are clear.

“In the short term, I want to deliver the very best service, build strong relationships, gain repeat clients and create a long-lasting business that fits around my lifestyle. Longer term, I’m definitely aiming to become a Gold Travel Counsellor.”

It’s an ambitious target — but with nearly two decades of industry experience and the backing of a global community, it’s entirely within reach.

A clear message

Lucie’s advice to experienced travel professionals thinking about taking control of their future is simple:

“Go for it — and don’t let self-doubt hold you back! If you have the experience and passion for travel, Travel Counsellors gives you all the support, tools and community you need to run your own business with confidence. The flexibility and backing make the transition far less daunting than you might imagine.”

Her journey is a reminder that sometimes the next step in your career isn’t about changing what you do — it’s about changing who you do it for.

If you’re ready to explore what your next chapter could look like, click here to find out more about our no-commitment Discovery Days, and take the first step towards building a business tailor-made to you.