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How To Start a Travel Agency Business Working from home as a travel agent is a rewarding and fulfilling career path for those wanting to stay close to home. The start-up costs are not as high as you might expect, and with the right technology at your fingertips you can provide comparable service just like the big boys.

by Jennifer Dugan

My name is Jennifer Dugan and I run my own travel agency from home. I was a full time travel agent for 4 years before I had my son, Dillon who is now 3 years old. I always knew I wanted to be at home with my children but also knew we needed to have as much income coming in as possible. I thought about working from home when I found out I was pregnant. I read books and tried a few MLM opportunities. But it just did not seem like I could make enough at it.

So after my son was born and only 2 months old, I had to go back to work at least part time. I found a sitter and tried working for 3 months. I realized missing my baby and getting nothing for income after paying the sitter, I had to do something.

So I took what I did at the office and started doing it from home. I didn't make much at first as far as income but cutting back on what I could like watching what I spent at the grocery store and other cut backs I was able to keep working on making my business a success. When my second son, Travis, was born, I did not have to worry about maternity leave because I was already at home with him.

I contacted my local paper and they did a complimentary article on my business and from there things took off. Many people wanted to support my business because they loved the idea of me trying to run my own business and be with my children.

I then began to take on agents all over the US. They were women who wanted to get involved in travel but needed guidance and support. Soon I had others who attended travel school or were already agents who wanted a way to work from home. I even have a few men working for me now.

Currently I have 30 agents working for me. I can handle my business whenever I want and if I have a child playing in the background no one knows except me. If I have a busy day I can get work done at night too.

I operate my business by utilizing my computer. All my agents communicate with me via email so no one has long distance bills. Most reservations for customers can be booked using my computer travel reservation system that operates off the Internet.

I have a website with travel reservation booking capabilities for all my agents and customers to look up prices. It also has a guest book for visitors to sign up and receive specials via email. Customers can also email me for prices. I use the Internet to do my searching for information on locations.

I have a residential line instead of a business line to save on monthly costs. I also have a separate line for my computer. I operated for awhile with only one phone line which I do believe someone can do until their business picks up enough in order to pay for the additional line.

One thing I have learned operating this business is to watch monthly expenses. A good friend of mine had to close her home business because she just had too many monthly bills.

When you first start up you want to keep what is going out of your bank account to a minimum. Too many people fall into the trap of all the things they "need" for their business. Make your own stationary, envelopes and labels with your computer instead of paying for them. Advertise by flyers and other low cost ways. Go to garage sales to find things that you need at your office. Many times there are businesses that go out of business and sell their business items like file cabinets or desks. If you don't have a fax machine, there are a lot of fax programs out there. I have one that is free for another number people can send me faxes.

There is so much you can do from home with your computer. You can meet others who you can share ideas and in my case I was able to expand my business. The possibilities are endless with the technology we have. I am able to work from home and also be with my children and I love it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Dugan is the owner of Dugan's Travels of Los Alamos.

If you are interested in a career in travel, Dugan's Travels is looking for additional agents. For information go to: http://www.onlineagency.com/duganstravels

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