Sponsored by Cruise Planners Travel Franchise
After more than 20 years in corporate America, working in management roles at some of the most well-known Fortune 500 companies, Chandra Brown had enough of the constant changes and uncertainty. She was frustrated by how often employees had to face instability due to frequent company restructuring. “I decided it was time for a change,” she says. Today, Chandra is thriving as a work at home entrepreneur, running her own Cruise Planners travel agency franchise. Now, she’s her own boss, able to work from anywhere, and enjoys the freedom to travel the world.
However, the journey to where she is today wasn’t always smooth.
Lessons, Not Losses
Chandra’s transition into the travel industry was driven by her experiences as the wife of a professional football player in the NFL and mother of four. “As someone who had always been planning [travel], whether it was a family reunion or a family vacation, that point person was always me. So I decided I’m going to embark in the world of travel,” she explains.
Chandra first decided to become an independent travel agent but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. “Big…big…mistake,” she says. While she enjoyed being her own boss and having more freedom, she struggled with the downsides. Starting at the lowest commission level made it hard to earn enough, and she had no support. “Every single thing I needed to manage my business cost me money,” she explains, referring to all the apps, services, and tools she had to pay for. Over time, the monthly fees really started to add up. “So, I sought out a better opportunity. Cruise Planners was the BEST opportunity,” she says, “and it has been a fantastic five years.”
The Right Play
Today, Chandra is a top producer at Cruise Planners and consistently ranks among the members of the prestigious “Millionaires Club.” Reflecting on her time in corporate America, Chandra was often a minority, a reality she believes persists in the travel industry today. However, she views this as an opportunity to make a difference—not only as a business owner and travel advisor but also by reaching those who may not have access to a travel advisor. “Being a person of color, who quite frankly, has spent most of her time in an environment where I was truly the minority, here within travel, I’m still that. It’s a wide-open opportunity.”
“The future of travel is going to be more and more complex,” she says. “Because as people want to travel more, there are more choices and more options. They need more guidance and assistance. Getting from point A to point B isn’t as easy as it was in the past. Navigating not just where you’re going but how you’re getting there and, once you’re there, what you’re doing. What we provide is insight.”
Take the Leap
If you’re considering a career change or seeking the flexibility of working from home, becoming a travel advisor might be your perfect path. Chandra Brown’s journey shows that with passion, adaptability, and support, you can build a fulfilling career in the travel industry, enjoying both professional success and personal satisfaction.
Learn More About a Travel Franchise with Cruise Planners
Watch Chandra’s story here.
Now is a great time to start a travel agency so you can learn the industry, establish the foundation of your business, and capitalize on the travel boom.
If you want to learn more about the nation’s leading home-based travel franchise and how you can start a travel agency from home, click here to get started.
