We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Key recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah , appreciate you joining us today. How has Covid changed your business model?
Working as a travel advisor and in the travel industry throughout covid really opened my eyes, specifically to my value. The business model my company ran on pre-covid was not a sustainable business model. I didn’t charge a planning or service fee and so I was solely a commission-based worker. This means that during covid, I had worked hard to plan all these trips, and then worked harder to cancel/reschedule trips and ultimately never got paid. I am a professional and offer incredible service to my clients. I should be compensated for that. Just like every other professional, from a lawyer to a doctor to a mechanic, you pay for their service. My business model is now a fee-plus commission-based model. I am able to build a sustainable business while serving my clients at the highest level.
Sarah , 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 am the founder and owner of The Keys to Travel, a luxury travel agency. The Keys to Travel focuses on helping couples and groups create lifelong memories together through unique, luxury travel experiences. Our focus is on tropical destinations all over the world, like Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Tahiti as well as western Europe, like Ireland, Italy, Greece, the UK, and Amsterdam. Romance travel is our specialty, from honeymoons to anniversaries and everything in between.
I got into this industry because I love to travel and how it opens your mind. I think it is important to travel and to get out of your comfort zone. There is something special about traveling with your loved one, friends, or family that helps grow your relationship in ways it just can’t elsewhere. I wanted to share the benefits of travel with others. With my love for planning and organizing, what better way than be a travel advisor?!
Traveling these days is so much more complicated and time-consuming. Working in the travel world every day, I am up-to-date on all the restrictions and requirements. This allows me to alleviate my client’s stress around travel. I get to help plan and book their dream vacation instead of them continuing to push it off because they don’t have enough time or just don’t know how to navigate today’s travel world. With an investment as big as travel, wouldn’t you want to work with an expert to help make your experience as good as possible? That is what we do at The Keys to Travel!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I started my travel business in 2018 part-time. In June of 2019, I went full-time. Just as my business was picking up speed and I was starting to make some income, March 2020 hit. My company and industry were completely shut down. I had no control and there was no end in sight. As 2020 continued, I stayed optimistic, but there were many times when I wondered if it was finally time to go find another job. But for me, there was no other option. I had finally found my calling. I loved my travel business, even if I couldn’t work to my full potential at the time. I couldn’t give up. I was able to stick it out and eventually became an invaluable resource to my clients and other travelers. Thankfully, the world is reopening and travel is back better than ever. If I hadn’t stuck with it, who knows where I would be. I do know I would have regretted giving up on my business!
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
This year, I have committed to sending a weekly e-newsletter. I have tried in the past, but it always went to the wayside. But this year I have been very consistent and it is paying off! In travel right now, there are so many updates, tips, and ideas I can be sharing with clients and potential clients. Social media is great for this, but we all know how things can get lost on there. I try and focus on providing helpful, inspiring, and useful content weekly so as to not “bug” them. Providing helpful content weekly helps create the “know, like, and trust” factor you want with people!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekeystotravel.com/
- Instagram: @thekeystotravel
- Facebook: @thekeystotravel