Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michele Schwartz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michele, appreciate you joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I charge professional service fees. The industry standard to charge fees was only adopted by the professional association for Travel Advisors (ASTA) coming out of the pandemic. However, I have charged a fee from my inception of my own travel agency, which was prior to the pandemic. The standard is beginning to change–however, there are still travel agents who advertise they do not charge any fees and their services are free to consumers. As an advisor I spend my own money to travel, attend conferences and maintain the overhead of my agency which includes paying professional fees to ASTA. It would be impossible to do any of the above, which results in better knowledge and service to my clients if I relied solely on the supplier commissions (which start at just 10% for most travel products). Because I charge fees I am able to afford to travel and learn about destinations first hand, to be involved in several networking and professional industry groups and have systems in place which make it easier for me to provide a fluid workflow. I know my own value and worth and it is reflected in my professional service fees.

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.

You might know me as an only child, bonus Mom to two fabulous humans and an adorable pup named chase, and a soft-core Starbucks addict.

I’m also a mental-health advocate, just 5-degrees of separation from king charles (for reals!) and a charter member of the #Wanderlust Society (That one is made up. But, if there were a #Wanderlust Society, I would be a charter member).

I have travel memories that date back to my 3-year old self. My parents carried me as they back-packed across the Continental Divide from Glacier National Park in Montana to Canada’s International Peace Park. Although, I was merely along for the ride, even then I recognized that camping was not “my thing!” Minutes after we began I wondered aloud, “Why are we doing this?”

After being told we were on a hunt for Little Red Riding Hood I spent the next 3 days asking, every 3 minutes, if we were there yet?

In a second sign that camping would NEVER be my destined mode of seeing the world, on a trip with to Yellowstone National Park, my shoulder was pulled out of its socket. I got my souvenir stamp at the local emergency room. 🤣

I knew by the age of 10 that camping was not the way I wanted to travel; but, there was a big-wide world out there that I had to experience.

Resorts being more my style. I worked at lots of them. While a Cast Member at Walt Disney World, I was on the opening team of a few of the resorts and stayed at every single one built by the 90’s. As an Annual Passholder I make frequent trips to stay up to date. I’ve experienced the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, the brand new JW Marriott Bonnet Creek and the Universal Resorts.

Disney Vacations will always have my ❤️. And, despite a distaste for roller coasters and a fear of heights, I have been on Every. Single. Ride at Walt Disney World.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am in the middle of a pivot right now. I am switching my brand from being heavily theme park (Disney and Universal) focused to selling more luxury vacations that include the new travel trend of set-jetting. Set Jetting is a new trend that is travel based on famous television or film locations. According to Expedia’s 2023 travel trends report, two-thirds of global travelers have considered booking travel to destinations after seeing them on streamed shows or movies, and 39% have actually booked those trips. I am looking to switch my brand to get out ahead of the curve of the popularity. I am now one of a very few travel advisors who specialize in the area. In order to help with my rebranding and to become more well known in this new niche I changed the name of my podcast to “Jet Setting with Me” from its previous title.

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

Absolutely the best source of clients has been referrals of past clients and my network. The best piece of advice I can give is to expand your network online but, more importantly in person. I have joined high-level networking organizations outside of my industry to expand my customer base. I attend chamber luncheons and send emails to my congregation members. To maintain my contacts I follow up with every client, after his/her/their trip to receive feedback. At that time I ask for referrals to their friends and family. When talking with people I try to find out where their dream vacations are and plan group trips to those locations using that person as a pied piper.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makinmemoriestravel.co
• Instagram: @jetsettingwithmichele
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jetsettingwithme
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleschwartz/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jetsettingwithmichele