The homeworker and Butler-level Sandals Specialist tells Samantha Mayling why she is such a fan of the brand
Q. How did you start in travel?
When I used to look for holidays, I was always thorough and did months of research. In 2018, I suggested going overseas with Sandals, as it was a second marriage for Brian and me. I came across David Walker [The Travel Snob] and booked our wedding package and holiday with him. He knew of my passion for travel and asked if I would work with him – so I did. When the opportunity come up, I took over the business of RedRoute Travel with Not Just Travel, and started on my own in 2020. I liked the name RedRoute Travel as red is my favourite colour. My first booking was a honeymoon at Sandals.
Q. How did RedRoute Travel develop?
It was really hard work. I have severe dyslexia and dyspraxia. Previously, I’d run a painting and decorating company, then an ironing firm. They were more hands-on. I’m still struggling and learning – to take something like [this business] over and sit in front of a computer is hard. It’s a massive achievement. I’m really enjoying it but it can be tough.
Q. What kind of support do you have?
Not Just Travel has coaches that we can contact whenever we need them. They’re always there if you’re struggling with something. Not Just Travel podcasts have helped too – it’s good to listen and remember things. I’ve also met Daley Thompson [Not Just Travel brand ambassador and two-time Olympic gold medallist] at a Not Just Travel conference. He’s a lovely guy. I had met him when I was 11 years old, as I belonged to Belgrave Harriers [a running club in London] and he used to train there. I remember going over to him and he asked me to leave him alone while he was training. I told him this at the conference and he said: “Oh, my goodness, Gail, I’m so sorry!” Then every time he saw me, he said: “Hi Gail.”
Q. How do you attract more customers?
I have a lot of repeat customers because I look after them. I’ll contact the hotel to get them champagne and other little things, which makes people come back. There’s also word of mouth. Clients say: “Oh, she was so good. She did this and that. You’ve got to use Gail at RedRoutes Travel.” Once I get clients on board, they’re repeat customers. It makes me happy to see guests happy.
Q. What do you sell?
I sell some European holidays but it’s mostly the Caribbean and the Maldives – you can often get more for your money than in Europe. It’s mostly couples too. Sandals also has its Beaches Resorts family brand, so I sell lots of that as well. Most of my customers are Sandals customers – they repeat because I look after them. Sandals’ wedding planners go above and beyond. The company also looks after agents when we stay at the resorts. I haven’t seen any cost-of-living concerns; lots of my customers have money to spend on holidays. I get a lot of contacts through Facebook, but I need to do a bit more work on Instagram.
Q. What’s it like being a homeworker?
I worked from home when I ran the ironing business. I used to pick up ironing from ‘yummy mummies’, then bring it home. With the painting and decorating business, I used to meet the clients at their house. Being a homeworker gives me freedom to choose my hours. You’re not having to work nine until six in an office. I love to visit my grandchildren, which is easier when I’m working from home. We’re fortunate to have a villa in Spain, which we bought last year because my husband retired from being a fireman. We are fortunate to be able to drop everything and go there.
As a homeworker, I can work remotely. When I was in Grenada, Sandals had a sale and people contacted me saying: “Gail, I want to book. I need to book.” My husband was sunbathing while I was upstairs making three bookings. I am happy as I am. If I did change, I’d probably bring in my daughter – keep it in the family. We are not millionaires, but we’re comfortable. We have worked hard so that we can play hard and travel. I have freedom.
Why are you such a Sandals fan?
Sandals is one of my top sellers and their staff are really friendly, including those on the phones. We’ve visited all the resorts in Jamaica, Antigua and Saint Lucia. We always do an island tour with [Sandals’ brand] Island Routes. Once you have experienced it, you can sell it better. We celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary and my 56th birthday at Sandals Royal Barbados last September. We’d got married there in 2018, on the beach. We twinned Barbados with Grenada as I’d never been to Grenada before. It is picturesque and beautiful.
The new Sandals resort in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is on my list. When I visit the region, I take items for local schools, such clothes or books, and give them to the resort manager to donate via the Sandals Foundation. I’m a Butler-level Sandals Specialist and our anniversary trip was booked as part of a [Sandals reward scheme] Sell & Go holiday. We have to do yearly training to use our Sell & Go nights. The Sandals Luxury Travel Store is on Fulham Road [in London], so I like to go there for a refresher.