We recently connected with Beatriz Isava – Cardozo and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Beatriz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

One of the most challenging parts of starting a business was asking my family and friends for support. I’ve always been the type of person who supports my loved ones’ businesses without being asked, so I hoped they would naturally do the same for me.

When I launched my travel business during the pandemic, I sent out a letter to everyone I knew, sharing the news and explaining the services I could offer. I was so excited! Some responded with kind words and wished me luck, but over time, I noticed many of them were booking trips to the same destinations I offered or had recommended—just through sites like Expedia or Booking.com.
At that very moment, I remembered that during my first trainings with the host agency, the trainers often said that family and friends are usually the last to support your business—and unfortunately, that turned out to be true – I felt discouraged. That was a tough moment for me, to the point that I stopped promoting my services to most of them.
Of course, there are always exceptions. I have one amazing friend who has supported me from day one. She books all her trips through me and has referred many others to my business. Her trust and support have meant the world to me, and she’s become my best client!

I was about to quit but my mom kept telling me, ‘Go ahead, you can do it,’ and that encouragement kept me going. I decided it was time to shift my strategy and focus on reaching new people. I created the CIS World Travel Instagram and Facebook pages, built a website, started a group on Nextdoor, and even left my business cards at the pumps at gas stations and local businesses.

Slowly but surely, people I didn’t even know began reaching out for travel quotes, bookings, and recommendations. That feeling of my business finally gaining momentum was incredible.

Beatriz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Venezuela, where I earned my degree in Communications and worked for several years at the country’s leading newspaper. In 2000, I moved to Florida, got married, and continued my journalism career with a small Venezuelan newspaper.
Later, my family and I relocated to Texas, and I stepped away from the professional world for a few years to focus on raising my two children.

Eventually, I returned to journalism with a Venezuelan newspaper in Houston, but I reached a point where I needed something more flexible, something that allowed me to stay home with my kids and manage my own schedule. I tried several network marketing businesses in areas like energy, makeup, and drinks but none of them felt like the right fit for me, and actually where really hard to sell.

In 2020, I finally decided to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a Travel Advisor. I searched for opportunities and found the perfect one to start my own travel business. Of course, launching a travel career during a global pandemic wasn’t ideal, but I felt strongly that I was on the right path.

What sets me apart as a Travel Advisor is my reliability, patience, and commitment to my clients. I work closely with them until every detail of their trip is exactly as they envisioned. I’m never in a rush and am always available—even while they’re traveling—if any issues arise. To specialize in Europe, the Caribbean, and cruises, also allows me to offer my clients expert guidance and the best travel options. My in-depth knowledge helps me recommend the most suitable flights, cruise lines, destinations, hotels, tours, rental cars, and transfers. This specialization ensures that I can create personalized travel experiences tailored to each client’s interests and needs, making their trips seamless and unforgettable.

One experience that stands out involved a client traveling with a large family group to Italy. When they arrived at their hotel in Sorrento, they were told there was no reservation. The client called me in panic mode early in the morning. I immediately assured her I would resolve the issue.
After speaking with the hotel manager, we discovered a system issue with U.S.-based bookings. I had all the necessary documentation and was able to secure their rooms without delay.

That experience reinforced how important it is to keep every document, receipt, and reservation organized. For my clients’ peace of mind, I always keep copies of everything they might need during their travels, and keep an open line of communications through WhatsApp.
Moments like that, when I can solve problems and make my clients feel cared for, are what make me proud of the work I do.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for my business has definitely been word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients. I’ve explored various ways to attract customers, like posts and reels on Instagram and Facebook, flyers, events, and they have somehow worked, but definitely, in the travel industry—where people are making significant financial commitments—trust is essential. People feel more confident booking their trips when they’re referred by someone they know and trust. That personal recommendation goes a long way, and it’s been the most powerful way for me to grow my business.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building—and continually growing—my audience on social media has been almost a full-time job and I’m still not even near where I want to be. It requires constantly creating posts and reels to capture people’s attention in a space flooded with millions of videos. People scroll quickly, and unless something is visually stunning, interesting, or personally relatable, they’ll likely pass it by. Standing out isn’t easy—you have to be creative, engaging, and consistent. I spend time following and interacting with people, hoping they’ll follow back, engage with my content, and eventually trust me enough to handle their travel plans.

For Travel Advisors like myself, specializing in certain destinations or types of travel makes a big difference. My focus is on Europe, the Caribbean, and cruises, so I tailor my content to those areas to attract the right audience.

My advice for anyone starting to build their social media presence is to first understand your audience. Know exactly who you want to reach and create content that speaks to them. Be consistent with posting, engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, and work on building genuine relationships. Since social media is a visual platform, invest in high-quality photos and videos that are clear and eye-catching. Share content that educates, entertains, or solves a problem—this keeps people coming back for more.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight, so stay patient and consistent. Keep learning and don’t get discouraged by slow progress. Most importantly, let your personality shine through. People connect more with real, relatable stories than with overly polished content. Focus on creating genuine connections, and over time, your audience will grow naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cisworldtravel.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: @cis_worldtravel
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/cisworldtravel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bisavacardozo/

Image Credits

Photos by Dulce Campins, Liliana Martinez, Beatriz Cardozo, and Andreina Cardozo