Does a homeworking agency's size matter?

Q. What’s your background?

A. I started more than 15 years ago at Expedia. After several years in office roles and raising my three children, I returned to what I love most – travel.

 

Q. Why homeworking?

A. For me, it’s a lifestyle choice and a way to create a fulfilling career around family life. I reached out to five or more companies before making my decision. I was looking for the right fit.

 

Q. What drew you to Silver Travel Advisor?

A. I went with my gut feeling. I had a Teams meeting with sales and recruitment manager Leanne Robinson and we instantly had a good rapport. It has a great supplier list, provides leads, training and a laptop.

 

Q. How has the size of the group worked for you?

A. There’s always someone to contact if you need help with an enquiry. The team isn’t huge, but you can message anyone for support. We have online weekly catch-ups and the option to attend in-person meetings.

 

Q. How has it been since you started?

A. We had intensive training for the first six weeks on selling systems and suppliers. Every week, there’s supplier training. I made my first booking in January via a Silver Travel Advisor lead, and not long after, I had a few of my own leads – such a confidence boost.

 

Q. What new skills have you learnt?

A. I set up my own Facebook page, where I post content and share news. I now use Instagram too. These platforms are where I make my own leads. This was new to me and I was nervous, but I had support.

 

QUICKFIRE Q&A 

 

Best sale so far? A £6,500 Hebridean Island Cruises trip, a surprise for the customer’s husband.

 

Proudest moment? My first booking! A solo safari tour to Mabula Game Lodge, South Africa, for £3,600.

 

Best trip or incentive? I haven’t been on a fam trip yet, but I’m excited for the Silver Travel Conference in Malta this year.

 

Best thing about your job? The flexibility and freedom, and helping others to create lasting memories.

 

Top tip for new homeworkers? Create a daily routine and a dedicated workspace to stay focused and professional.

 

Medium-sized business

ANDREA WHITE AND SARAH WHITE

Friends Andrea White (pictured, right), based in Buckinghamshire, and Sarah White (pictured, left), based in Jersey, are joint owners of homeworking agency White Sand Escapes. They set up their business in January 2024 after joining homeworking company Travelosophers the same month. Travelosophers, established in 2021, currently has about 60 homeworkers.

Q. What’s your background?

Andrea: I started with Lunn Poly more than 30 years ago as a youth trainee at 17. I managed my own shop with First Choice and moved into homeworking in 2012.

Sarah: After working in a hotel in Mexico, I worked at First Choice in Poole, then Bath Travel, and began homeworking in 2014. I met Andrea at Holidaysplease.

 

Q. Why homeworking?

A: The flexibility to work and be a mum – and I was fed up with being restricted on what I could sell.

S: I can be in control of my time and earn significantly more than on the high street. Now I have three young children, I’m even more grateful for the flexibility.

 

Q. What drew you to Travelosophers?

A: Size was key. I wanted to pick up the phone and speak directly to my business development manager or the directors if need be. We felt excited about joining a newer, growing company. I also wanted the flexibility to dynamically package holidays – a huge plus.

S: Travelosophers was already on our radar; we’d read partner testimonials and about its work ethic and general brand positivity. We looked at what others offered, but we both knew that Travelosophers was the right fit.

 

Q. How has the size of the group worked for you?

A: Travelosophers has been open-minded and put agreements in place with some suppliers we’ve suggested.

S: The personal advice and recommendations have been amazing for our business. There’s always someone able to answer questions. We’ve been able to say what works well and the directors are open to our ideas.

 

Q. How has it been since you started?

A: We’ve achieved more than £260,000 profit since joining and launching White Sand Escapes – and we plan to grow further. We’ve also both recently returned from Travelosophers’ top-sellers’ trip to Crete.

 

Q. What new skills have you learnt?

S: I’ve become better at networking and growing our client base.

 

QUICKFIRE Q&A

 

Best sale at Travelosophers? A: A £46,000 booking for the Philippines. S: A £53,000 holiday in Hawaii.

 

Proudest moment? S: When White Sand Escapes won the Gold Award at Travelosophers’ 2024 conference.

 

Best fam trip? A: Beachcomber trip to Mauritius. S: Gold Medal mega-fam to Mauritius and Dubai last year.

 

Best thing about your job? A: For both of us, it’s the flexibility of being able to combine having a career and being a mum, and the earning potential.

 

Top tip for new homeworkers? A: Be resilient and prepared for knockbacks! S: Deliver consistently high service to stand out from others.

 

Large business

TONI SHARP

Toni, based in Warwick, joined Designer Travel in May 2024. It has about 170 homeworkers.

Q. What’s your background?

A. I was an employment law solicitor for 10 years and started work in an independent agency just over five years into my career when I had a break. In 2016, I joined a homeworking agency, working full time from 2019. The agency I was with for eight years changed direction, so I joined Designer Travel in 2024.

 

Q. Why homeworking?

A. I enjoy the freedom of self-employment while feeling part of a team.

 

Q. What drew you to Designer Travel?

A. I spoke to people in the industry and their love for Designer Travel was evident. The company’s reputation is incredibly positive. I had a conversation with [managing director] Amanda Matthews and she was warm, candid and approachable: I was sold! Its costs and commission splits are fair, the opportunities are amazing, and I love how honest and open the management are.

 

Q. How has the size of the company worked for you?

A. It’s a perfect fit. Designer Travel organises events year-round – conferences, local chit-chat sessions, fams and reward trips – and we have active social groups and Zoom calls. I couldn’t ask for more support, training or travel opportunities. I feel part of a team more than ever before. I can pick up the phone to any of the management; it’s hands-on. I’m not sure I’d get that with a very large agency. Before, I didn’t use my name for business; now, I’m ‘Designer Travel by Toni Sharp’. Being linked to a successful company gives customers more confidence to book.

 

Q. How has it been since you started?

A. I had a day’s induction, which felt quite intense, and then weekly support calls and further training until I was comfortable with everything. I like that help was available at any time. I booked my first holiday 10 days after joining and now average three bookings a week.

 

Q. What new skills have you learnt?

A. I took a course on sustainability, subsidised by Designer Travel, and have joined its working party on sustainability. We have ‘success swaps’ to share tips between homeworkers and management; I learn something from each one. I’m constantly learning new skills.

 

QUICKFIRE Q&A

 

Best sale? A 13-day multi-centre to New York, Orlando and the Gold Coast for a family this summer for just over £30,000.

 

Proudest moment? Achieving ‘Diamond’ level in my first year. 

 

Best trip since joining Designer Travel? Brazil, not long after I joined the group.

 

Best thing about your job? The freedom and being responsible for the successes.

 

Top tip for new homeworkers? Think about why you want to do it – being self-employed has its challenges. Consider your ideal working environment and research homeworking agencies, then go with your gut.

 

Very large business

JENNIFER MILLER

Jennifer, personal travel consultant at Hays Travel, is based in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. She joined in November 2023. Hays Travel has about 740 homeworkers, spread across different set-ups tailored to experience. There are 432 personal travel consultants, 116 lead-supported PTCs and 193 Explorer Travel franchisees.

Q. What’s your background?

A. I started at Tui in Clacton-on-Sea, working up from apprentice to store manager. After 14 years I took some time out because it was difficult to balance work with young children, so I worked nights in a supermarket.

 

Q. Why homeworking?

A. It seemed an ideal way to continue doing the job I love around looking after my children.

 

Q. What drew you to Hays Travel?

A. Hays Travel had always appealed to me. I knew someone who worked there and that it was the UK’s biggest independent travel agency, so it was a no-brainer. I researched Hays’ start-up and monthly joining fees. After a few conversations, I knew I’d never be left on my own. We’re recognised as a strong brand and a trusted agent. We have a huge team supporting us, and a huge number of customers that come back year after year. 

 

Q. How has the size of the group worked for you?

A. There are about 100 of us who are lead-supported agents, and we work well as one team. We have WhatsApp groups and Facebook Messenger groups to support each other, a small group of coaches always on hand, plus an operations team to guide us.

 

Q. How has it been since you started? 

A. I did a full week’s training when I started. It was a quiet time of year but that allowed me to get used to the systems. Then January was go, go, go. I’ve completed my first full financial year and achieved ‘Superstar’ status, the highest level for a lead-supported homeworker. I thought I’d only achieve a bit of pocket money – in fact, I earn more than when I worked full time in store at Tui. I work long hours, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Q. What new skills have you learnt?

A. Homeworking is totally different from working in store. I’ve learnt how best to keep in touch with clients so they don’t forget me for their holidays and I book much more long-haul and cruise now.

 

QUICKFIRE Q&A

 

Best sale? A Florida villa booking of nearly £30,000 for eight people over Easter, with two guests staying on for a 10-night Caribbean cruise.

 

Proudest moment? Hitting Superstar Seller status in April, achieving just over £70,000 profit for the year. I finished in the top four in my division.

 

Best thing about the job? Working from home – lunch when I like, dropping off and picking up my kids from school, taking days off when I need, going on holiday when I want – all while making a substantial wage.

 

Top tip for new homeworkers? Don’t wait, take the leap. If you put in the time and effort, it will definitely pay off.

 

Image credits: Shutterstock/Ilona Kozhevnikova