We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anberyel Gordon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anberyel below.

Anberyel, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first client was my coworker and her husband. I was always talking about how I enjoyed going on a cruise every year. I expressed, to others that it’s the best way to travel. I expressed to her why I love going on the Carnival Cruise line. A cruise is all inclusive. It comes with your meals, dining, entertainment and activities every hour on the ship. There are many destinations to travel to when you are on a cruise and ports to choose from. The Carnival Cruise line is a fun ship and it’s affordable to meet anyone’s budget.

My coworker had mentioned she wanted to go on her vacation for her birthday, I suggested a four day or three day cruise departing from Port Canaveral, and New Orleans. I emailed her a full itinerary of a Bahamas cruise and Western Caribbean cruise. I also print out a credit card authorization form for my client to fill out an insurance weaver form. My coworker discussed the two cruise itineraries with her husband. The next day at work, she approached, stating that she was ready to book her birthday cruise to Mexico with me. She handed me the credit card authorization that she filled out. I went to lunch, I called the Carnival Travel Agent support line and booked her cruise over the phone. I sent my client the confirmation email. My commission wasn’t as big from that reservation, I was just so ecstatic that I booked my first client on a cruise. I knew at that moment selling cruises was my niche. That booking has motivated me to gain more cruise clients.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am from Birmingham, AL, I also reside in Alabama. I am a Certified Independent Travel Advisor & Marketing Business Coach. I am the Founder and owner of Fantasy Vacations llc. I got started in the travel industry through a mutual friend back in March 2018. My sponsor Teneidra reached out to me on Facebook. She shared this amazing business opportunity to supplement my income on a part time or full time basis. At that time, I was going on cruises once a year, it just made sense to turn my passion into an income producing opportunity. I am a service based business. I provide travel accommodation to clients that are looking to take their dream vacation.

I create tailed itineraries from hotels, resorts, round trip flights, and round trip transportation. I also provide shore excursions to fit my clients budgets. My product improves health, increases knowledge, allows my clients to meet new people and experience new cultures. These past 6 years, I made a commitment to continue to further my education. When you learn more, you will earn more. I am proud of stepping out of my comfort zone, facing my fears. My business has touched clients in California, New York, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. I am most proud of helping others make income from home through this industry. Helping others reach their goals, pushing my team to their greatest version of themselves. I am always accepting new clients from new business partners. I can book you on a cruise for this year and for the year of 2025. I am currently taking courses to obtain my Accredited Cruise Counselor certification through Clia cruise industry. I am hosting a Cancun vacation for the dates of June 12-15, 2024. The package included an all inclusive resort at Riu Latino resort with round trip transportation. You can find information on my website. I just released a family Aruba cruise for November 2024, you can find more information on my social media accounts and website.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Staying consistent and persistent on social media has built my reputation in this travel industry. Setting my brand apart from the competition. Staying up to date on all travel news and attending travel trade shows each year has shaped my career. Building a business relationship with my business development managers, has sharpened my skills.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started promoting my business on my personal Facebook page, I created a Travel Facebook group called Fantasy Vacations LLC. I also created a Facebook Business page, I linked that account with my Instagram account. I started creating packages around the holiday month, I knew people were looking to travel around those times. I started putting out content daily, every month. I schedule my content, So I have time to focus on other things in my business like personal development. I started sharing my posts in other Facebook groups. I attended in person events, I attended a vendor event showcasing my home based business. I started networking more with strangers online.

My advice will be keep going, stay consistent. Make your content different from everyone else. Show up on social media as your authentic self, People necessarily buy from people they trust. Don’t count the likes, count the invoices. Pivot if you have too, If you are not great at social media or not great at creating flyers. Hire someone.

Contact Info:

• Website: fantasyvacationsllc.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/anberyel
• Facebook: @Anberyel Gordon, @Fantasy Vacations LLC
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/anberyelgordon

Image Credits
Walter Finley on my business photo shoot.