The Lounge by Travefy

Before you automate anything, take a walk. That's Kristin Hancock's advice for advisors who want to use AI without losing the personal touch.Kristin is the owner of Bright Life Travel Co. and a 2026 ASTA Emerging Leaders Award recipient presented by Travefy. She spent 10 months building systems before bringing on her first advisor. Today she leads a team of nine, growing largely on referrals and repeat clients.In this episode: building a team through relationships, how AI and automation fit into Bright Life's workflows, and where travel is headed next (anyone ready for a trip to space?).Kristin is one of eight 2026 recipients of the ASTA Emerging Leaders Award, presented by Travefy. Nominations for the next class close November 3, 2026. Nominate yourself or someone you know at emergingleaders.asta.org.Show Notes:Visit Bright Life Travel Co. websiteFollow Kristin on InstagramFollow Bright Life Co. on InstagramLearn more + Nominate for 2027 ASTA Emerging Leader Award✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

We're celebrating our 100th podcast episode! In this episode, we're joined by Sahara Rose De Vore, founder of the The Travel Coach Network for a full-circle conversation five years after her first appearance on The Lounge. Sahara breaks down the exercise she uses to help advisors find their real "why" beyond surface-level answers, then shows how to translate that into marketing that actually stands out, plus where AI fits in without losing the human touch that makes advisors valuable in the first place.Show notes: Where to find Sahara Rose De Vore: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedinThe Travel Coach Network's website: https://thetravelcoachnetwork.comFree Beginner's Guide to Travel Coaching: https://thetravelcoachnetwork.mykajabi.com/main-email-series-and-workbookThe Travel Coach Certification Program:  https://thetravelcoachnetwork.mykajabi.com/the-travel-coach-program✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Roslyn Ranse has spent 17 years building her travel business in Australia and now coaches advisors through Travel Agent Achievers. In this episode, she and Stephanie dig into what actually separates a forgettable trip from an unforgettable one, starting with her case against client intake forms: the details that matter, like a client's drink of choice or the real reason they're booking a trip, only come out in conversation, not a checkbox.She also shares how she uses technology to handle the background work so she can stay fully present on client calls, why she believes advisors are the actual luxury clients are paying for, and the story of a middle-of-the-night phone call that turned a client's travel emergency into one of her proudest moments as an advisor.Plus, why she thinks conferences and community matter more than most advisors realize, and why she'd rather have fun running her business than burn out chasing perfection.If you've ever wondered what really makes clients come back and refer their friends, this one's for you.Show Notes: Visit Travel Agent Achiever's WebsiteFind Roslyn on Social: Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, YouTube🌟 Want more tips and ideas on how to surprise and delight your clients? Check out a past Travefy webinar on this topic: https://academy.travefy.com/upcoming-webinar-creating-unforgettable-moments-ideas-to-surprise-delight-your-clients✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Ali Raymer spent nine years building her business at Picture This Travel before launching her own agency, Peace & Pearl Travel Co. In this episode, she breaks down what it actually takes to find, hire, and train the right people, starting with her very first hire (a former student) and the unconventional paths several of her other advisors took to get there.She also shares the harder lessons: the traits she actually looks for before bringing someone on, why giving away the leads she wasn't passionate about ended up growing her business, and how she built an onboarding system that lets new advisors ramp up without her having to be in the room for every conversation.Plus, how her team stays connected day to day, and why the right tools (including Travefy) matter more once you're not the only one running the show.If you've ever thought about building a team, whether that means growing where you are or eventually starting your own agency, this one's for you.Show Notes:Website: peaceandpearltravel.comInstagram: @alipeaceandpearltravel Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alipeaceandpearltravel/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliPeaceandPearlYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alipeaceandpearltravel✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Every advisor remembers that first inquiry. The excitement, then the quiet panic of realizing you have a customer now and no system for what comes next.Jonathan Morris spent years as a retail agent before building Legato, a host agency built around an agent-first philosophy. In this conversation he shares what he's learned coaching hundreds of agents through the foundation stage, including a story about an advisor who sold out cruise groups within days and still nearly burned out because the systems weren't there to support the growth.We get into the first 90 days, how to actually build a relationship with a BDM, why quarterly business checkups matter more than most agents think, and what led Legato to become the first host agency to integrate with Travefy.Show Notes:Learn more about LegatoFind Legato on social: Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedinLearn more about Travefy's partnership with Legato and see how your host agency can become the next integration: https://travefy.com/blog-post/legato-integration✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Your agency's financial story is already written. The question is whether you're reading it. Most travel advisors got into this business because they love travel, not because they love spreadsheets. But ignoring the financial side of your agency isn't just stressful. It's costing you money you've already earned. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Cannon, a licensed CPA, small business accountant, and 20-year travel advisor, for a candid conversation about the financial blind spots that affect advisors at every stage — from solo practitioners to agencies with 30+ advisors. We cover what you should actually be tracking and how often, why "I'll deal with it at tax time" is quietly hurting your business, how to figure out what you need to earn to pay yourself what you're worth, the real cost of commissions you never reconcile, and why your numbers are telling you a story, you just have to be willing to read it. Show Notes:Visit Stephanie Cannon's WebsiteJoin Stephanie Cannon's Facebook Group: "First Class Profit Lounge"Stephanie's Real Pay CalculatorFind Stephanie Cannon on Social:InstagramLinkedinLearn more about tracking and reconciling booking commissions through Travefy at https://travefy.com/solutions/building-for-agencies & start your free trial today!✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Every travel advisor knows the feeling: you've pitched a trip, poured time into the details, and the client either disappears, says they found it cheaper somewhere else, or hits you with the dreaded "I'll get back to you." So what do you actually say? In this episode, we sit down with Harish Shroff, VP of Sales at Indus Travels and author of Mastering the Art of Sales, for a conversation built around the real moments that trip up even experienced advisors. We dig into why jumping to price is a signal you haven't built enough value yet, how to use a recap strategy when a client stalls, the follow-up mistake most advisors don't realize they're making, and why the best thing you can do after a client returns from a trip isn't wait for them to call you. This one's practical, honest, and worth sharing with anyone on your team who talks to clients.Show Notes: Get the Book: Mastering the Art of SalesConnect with Harish Shroff on LinkedinLearn more about Indus Travels

Wave Season can bring a surge of inquiries and bookings. It can also bring long hours, constant notifications, and a pace that is hard to sustain.In this episode of The Lounge by Travefy, we sit down with Stacey Cabell, a 14-year travel industry veteran, to explore how advisors can maintain peak performance without burning out.We cover how to recognize the early signs of burnout, why protecting your energy improves both your business and your client experience, and simple habits you can implement right away to stay consistent during Wave Season and beyond.You’ll also hear practical ideas for setting healthy client boundaries, building confidence through small wins, and using systems that reduce daily mental load. Because a sustainable travel business is not built in chaos.Show Notes:Visit Stacey's Website at http://staceycabell.com✨ Listen to more episodes of The Lounge Podcast at https://lp.travefy.com/the-lounge

Are conferences actually worth the time and money, especially with so much virtual education available now? In this episode, we sit down with Kelley Wright (Travel Agent Recruitment) and Stephanie McCracken (Director of Marketing) from Travel Show Marketing Group, the team behind Travel Agent Forum, to break down how advisors can approach events strategically. You’ll learn how attendees can get the most ROI from conferences, when it may not make sense to attend, how to choose the right event for your business stage, and how to avoid burnout while maximizing networking and follow-up. Plus, we share details on Travefy Live, Travefy’s user conference happening May 12, 2026 in Las Vegas — and why it’s the perfect add-on to Travel Agent Forum.Show Notes:Learn More + Register for Travefy LiveLearn More + Register for Travel Agent Forum in Las VegasCheck out Travel Show Marketing Groups' other eventsJoin Kelley's "Travel Show Marketing Group 2026 Events and Application Process" webinars: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regis... (Happening on Feb. 23, 2026) and https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regis... (Happening on Feb. 24, 2026)

Choosing a host agency can shape your entire travel business—but it’s often misunderstood.In this episode, we're joined by Shayna Zand from Host Agency Reviews to break down what host agencies are actually designed to do for advisors, and what they’re not.We unpack common misconceptions around fees and commission splits, why long-term success has more to do with fit and expectations than numbers on paper, and what truly separates advisors who thrive at a host agency from those who struggle, even within the same host.This episode is a must-listen for agents and advisors considering a host, thinking about switching, or wanting to get more value from the one they’re with.🔗 Show Notes & Resources:Host Week 2026 -Join Travefy's Coffee Spot during Host Week on January 27! [Register Here]Learn about Host Week and Register (for free!)Free Resources from Host Agency Reviews - Top 10 Benefits of Using a Host AgencyA Travel Agent's Guide to Charging FeesHost Agency Commission Plan Comparison CalculatorChoosing the Right Host: 5 Things to Consider