This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Erin Camin of Brilliant Escapes. After a decade in the New York ad world, Erin Camin took a six-month sabbatical that turned into ten months of slow travel and soul searching, ultimately leading her to build her own boutique travel business.
In this episode, Erin shares her journey from burnout to business owner, how she navigated a pandemic-era pause, and the patient growth it took to find her niche in luxury dive trips.
They also explore:
Whether you’re just starting out or figuring out your next chapter, Erin’s story will inspire you to trust your instincts, take the leap, and design a business that fits the life you want.
🔗Brilliant Escapes: https://brilliantescapes.com/
After 30 years in IT, Alex Worlow made a bold career pivot into luxury travel -and never looked back. In this episode, he shares how a foundation in business helped him build a travel company with staying power, why support and mentorship were critical to his growth, and how shifting his mindset transformed his client base and revenue. We explore:
- Why the right host agency can accelerate your success - The transition from selling travel to designing experiences - How to stop chasing volume and start increasing value - How Alex and his wife divide strengths to run their business - ...And lessons learned from a travel mishap in BarcelonaFollow Alex and Storyline Travel: Website: https://www.storylinetravel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyline_travel/
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Dianna Hetzel, founder of Mer Bleue Travel, to explore how a former educator and mom turned her love for healing travel into a luxury brand rooted in purpose.
Dianna shares how a deeply personal trip helped her process grief, how travel shaped her children into globally-minded changemakers, and how launching a travel business gave her new identity and freedom as an empty nester.
From building a brand that “makes everything feel beautiful” to overcoming mindset hurdles around pricing and self-worth, this conversation is packed with honesty, clarity, and vision.
Whether you're dreaming of starting your own travel business or looking for deeper meaning in the one you’ve built, this episode is a must-listen.
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Host Meredith Calloway welcomes Tracy Husted of Legacy Travel Designs for a heartfelt conversation about building a travel business with intention.
Tracy shares how she balanced part-time teaching with co-founding a successful agency, why she finally resigned from a 30-year education career, and how her grandmother’s legacy continues to shape her vision. Whether you’re side-hustling or standing at the edge of a big leap, Tracy’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always fast—but it is worth it.
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In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Erica Davies, founder of The Well Traveled Soul, to explore her journey from corporate life to luxury travel entrepreneurship. Erica shares how becoming a mother shaped her professional path, why branding with heart is non-negotiable, and how honoring her father’s passion for travel gave her business its soulful name.
Together, Meredith and Erica unpack how to build a purposeful, profitable travel business—one rooted in aligned clients, smart boundaries, and deep personal meaning. From launching a luxury brand to dreaming of a brick-and-mortar travel haven, Erica's story will inspire you to think big, stay grounded, and always lead with your why.
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In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Matthew Upchurch, CEO and Chairman of Virtuoso, to explore the evolving world of luxury travel.
Matthew shares his insights on what it means to truly deliver value as a trusted travel advisor, why now is the perfect time to lean into selling luxury, and how human connection remains the ultimate differentiator in a world of automation.
From the importance of confidence and mindset to building a seven-figure travel business, this conversation is packed with wisdom for both new and seasoned advisors.
Tune in to discover how to elevate your business, serve clients at the highest level, and create a life you love through travel entrepreneurship.
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In this heartwarming and wisdom-filled episode, Meredith Calloway sits down with GTN's beloved Lisa Fletcher — affectionately known as “Mama Bear” — to unpack her incredible journey through the travel industry.
From her early days in medical technology to a life-changing trip to Hawaii that ignited her career in travel, Lisa shares how she followed her intuition, built a thriving business, and eventually became the very first member of Gifted Travel Network.
Together, they dive deep into:
What makes a host agency truly exceptional
How GTN grew from a bold idea to a thriving community
Lisa’s behind-the-scenes role in member experience and escalations
The difference between advisors who thrive and those who stall
Why courage, community, and action are at the heart of entrepreneurial success
Whether you're just starting out or scaling to seven figures, Lisa’s story is a reminder that trusting your gut — and finding the right people — can change everything.
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In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway sits down with Kerry Mooneyham of Midwest Travel Solutions to explore her unique journey from a 25-year career as a litigation paralegal to becoming a successful travel advisor.
Kerry shares the pivotal moments that led her to turn her passion for travel into a thriving business, the importance of continuing travel education, and the value of building strong client relationships. Dive into Kerry’s love for the South Pacific, her memorable travel experiences—including a transformative trip to Tahiti and an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica—and her advice for travel entrepreneurs on scaling their business and embracing systems. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, Kerry’s story offers valuable insights on following your heart in travel entrepreneurship while delivering exceptional experiences for your clients.Follow us on social media:
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From classroom to concierge—Bryant Wood’s journey into the travel industry is anything but traditional. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of The Travel Boutique to explore how she made the leap from teaching and direct sales to launching a thriving luxury travel business that blends flexibility, personal growth, and deep client connection.
Bryant opens up about what it really took to shift careers: the mindset changes, the learning curves, and the community support that helped her build confidence as a business owner. She shares how Gifted Travel Network's coaching and resources empowered her to embrace financial strategy, understand her value, and stop treating her business like a side hustle.We also dive into her passion for building strong relationships—with both clients and luxury travel partners—and why intentional networking has played such a key role in her success.
Plus, Bryant reflects on what it’s like juggling business ownership with being a mom, the lessons she’s learned about boundaries and balance, and what’s next as she looks to grow her team.
Whether you’re considering a career pivot, dreaming of starting your own agency, or just want to hear a real, relatable story of transformation—this episode will leave you inspired and energized.
The Travel Boutique - https://thetravelboutique.net/
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What do doll sculpting, million-dollar sales, and helicopter landings on glaciers have in common? Cathy Rowland. In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Cathy, the powerhouse behind Amore Travel Design, to unpack her incredible journey from running a doll-making business to becoming a top-producing luxury travel advisor generating over $3 million in annual sales.
Cathy shares how she rebuilt her career by following her passion for travel, the moment she realized systems and automation were the key to scaling, and what it's really like to work alongside her husband in business (hint: it includes golf, grandkids, and a whole lot of teamwork). From her first uncomfortable fam trip to Egypt to dreaming up a digital nomad life in Italy, Cathy’s story is as real as it is remarkable.
Whether you're just getting started or looking for ways to take your travel business to the next level, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, practical systems advice, and a reminder that it’s never too late to build a business—and a life—you love.
Amore Travel Designs - amoretraveldesigns.com
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In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, we sit down with Brittani Robertson, the powerhouse behind B Luxe Escapes. From growing up in a military family to raising four young kids and building a beautifully branded travel business, Brittani shares how she’s carved out a fulfilling career that blends passion, purpose, and plenty of planning.
She opens up about how her early travel experiences shaped her worldview, the challenges and joys of starting a business while pregnant, and the boundaries she set to stay balanced and avoid burnout.
We also unpack her intentional branding process, how she uses Instagram as a digital storefront, and the secret behind her annual group trips that clients can’t stop raving about.
Whether you're a parent, a travel advisor, or an aspiring entrepreneur, Brittani’s story is a masterclass in building a business and life on your own terms.
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com
B Luxe Escapes: https://bluxeescapes.com/
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In this special episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with GTN’s Director of Engagement, Shannon Cunningham, to celebrate the heart and soul of the industry: the travel advisor. As we kick off National Travel Advisor Week, Meredith and Shannon unpack what it really means to be a travel advisor—not just an agent, but a designer, project manager, and relationship builder. They share stories of transformation, personal growth, and real impact—and why this profession is more vital than ever.
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith sits down with the powerhouse duo behind Travel Business University—Amy Pearson-Jensen and Amy Kaufman Relihan. Together, they unpack what it really takes to go from aspiring travel advisor to successful entrepreneur. From navigating fear to scaling a six-figure business, they share real stories, breakthroughs, and the importance of coaching, community, and mindset.Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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What does it really take to succeed in luxury travel? In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Callaway sits down with Robin Hutson — luxury travel advisor, publisher of Luxe Recess, and lifelong hotel obsessive — for an unfiltered conversation about building a thriving business rooted in trust, emotional intelligence, and expertise.Robin shares how she transitioned from publishing honest hotel reviews to becoming a go-to advisor for high-touch luxury travel — and why long-term success hinges on confidence, empathy, and investing in your craft.
From navigating multi-gen dynamics to handling client meltdowns with grace, Robin opens up about the real work behind elevated service and lasting relationships.Whether you're just starting out or scaling a high-end portfolio, this conversation will help you rethink what it means to be a luxury travel advisor in today’s market.
Luxe Recess: https://luxerecess.com/
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith sits down with Stephanie Goldberg Glazer—aka SGG—the 2024 #1 Top Producer at Gifted Travel Network. From her early days as a "travel hobbyist" to building a thriving business (and bringing her husband into it), Stephanie shares her candid story, the turning points that changed everything, and her biggest mindset shift that led to major growth. If you’re aiming to grow your business and need a dose of tough love and inspiration—this is your episode.
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Callaway is joined by tech-savvy Sandy Saburn, Chief Communications Officer at Gifted Travel Network, to break down the travel advisor’s evolving tech stack.
From client management tools and itinerary builders to AI-powered automation and workflow magic—this is your roadmap to running a smarter, more profitable travel business in 2025.
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this inspiring episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Stuart Marra, founder of The Opulent Explorer, who made a bold leap from Wall Street to wanderlust.
Stuart shares how he went from a high-stakes career in equity derivatives to building a multi-million dollar luxury travel business—starting from scratch.They unpack everything from navigating major life transitions, selling ultra-luxury experiences to high-net-worth clients, developing a mindset for success, and why “I've been where you're going next” is Stuart’s ultimate superpower.
He also opens up about his remarkable journey overcoming cystic fibrosis and how that resilience fueled his entrepreneurial success.Whether you're dreaming of launching a travel business, breaking into the luxury space, or simply seeking motivation to follow your passion—this episode delivers.https://www.opulentexplorer.com/
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Anna Harrison of Travel Observations to discuss her incredible journey from international service work to becoming a top-producing luxury travel advisor.Anna shares how she transitioned from a side hustle in travel to running a full-time, highly profitable business while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.
She dives into:
✅ How she strategically grew her sales and transitioned into luxury travel
✅ The mindset shifts needed to sell high-end travel with confidence
✅ How she structured her own maternity leave as a business owner
✅ The power of setting boundaries and asking for helpIf you’ve ever wondered how to scale your travel business without burnout, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with MJ Markham of M Markham Travel to discuss her remarkable transition from oncologist to top-producing travel entrepreneur. MJ shares how her deep love for travel became a lifeline in her demanding medical career and how she skyrocketed to over $1 million in sales within her first year. She opens up about the challenges of hiring a team, the power of networking, and the profound impact travel has on both her clients and herself. Tune in for an inspiring story of passion, resilience, and entrepreneurial success in the travel industry!
MJ Markham - mmarkhamtravel.com
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Jerzy Poznar of Up Close Travel, a 2025 Top Producers Club inductee. Jerzy shares his remarkable journey from corporate banking to becoming a top luxury travel advisor, specializing in high-end cruises and bespoke travel experiences. He opens up about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of industry connections, and the joys of crafting unforgettable trips for clients. Tune in for expert insights, career inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the luxury travel world.
Ready to professionalize your passion for travel? Get started atwww.giftedtravelnetwork.com.
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