We recently connected with Stacie Zaan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stacie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

As a travel advisor, of course I take vacations. I will say most of my vacations are working vacations where I am going solely to experience a resort/area/cruise/experience to sell to my clients. I go in with a plan of what I want to see and do, and think about how it would be as a client and put myself in their shoes. I take notes and ask more questions that usual. Those are my working vacations. I also make sure I take personal vacations too. I don’t always get to turn off my travel advisor role, but I do try to take time to do what I enjoy the most, and not scouting things for clients. Last year for example, I was able to cruise on the Disney Wish with other travel advisors. I ensured I went everywhere no the ship, and explored all it had to offer, including a ship tour that was offered on a port day. I made sure to see as many shows as possible, and experience as much of the ship that was offered. Every day I had my lap top out, ran quotes and posted on social media for my business pages. A few months later I went on another Disney cruise that was a themed cruise for Halloween. As before, I went in with my travel advisor hat on, even though I was there with my in-laws. I made sure to spend plenty of time with them, but was making note of things and being sure to once again try to experience everything. Same thing as before, still ran quotes and did my social media for my business. Fast forward to a few months ago, at that time I once again went on the Disney Wish. This time, I made sure to take the cruise for myself and not my business. I had someone to cover my time on board, took care of anything I could before I set sail. I didn’t open my lap top and work for a few days, and the only social media I did was for my personal pages. I took the cruise as a client, and not an advisor. It was truly a relaxing vacation and enjoyable vacation. And because I took the time to really take a vacation, I have a better understanding of clients needs and wants, and how to put that into a great vacation.

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.

Travel has always been my passion and I wanted to share that with others. My career didn’t start out with me being a travel advisor. I spent what I feel is like a lifetime in another field. During that time I only dabbled in the travel field. But through a series of events, I found myself at a cross road where I was given the opportunity to set off on my own, and start my own travel business. Before fully setting out, I took courses and learned all I could. Went back to school as well. And then I made sure to plan as many trips as I could beyond what I was used to, so I could become a well rounded travel advisor.

As a travel advisor I want to help others make lasting memories with their family and friends. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to do some travel of my own. Have been to quite a few countries, taken multiple cruises and have made many trips to Disney World. Each have been amazing trips in their own ways and have created memories that will last a life time. And that is what I hope to do for others. Along with being a travel advisor, I am also a Certified Cruise Specialist. I specialize in Disney Destinations too. Growing up near Disneyland helps fuel my passion for Disney. And ever since my first cruise, I have always been planning the next one before the current one was done.

I do enjoy almost all aspects of this career. But there is something about planning a trip tailored especially for a client that speaks to me. I don’t just plan cookie cutter trips, or what I would do. I take my time to listen to my clients, gather as much information as I can, and then plan a trip I really think they would love. Hearing back from clients after their trip is very rewarding and truly what I love about this job. Aside from the freedom to take my job in directions I see fit, and not be held to one thing gives me the opportunity to continue to grow. And that can’t be said for a lot of jobs.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot in my career at a point where I never thought I would need to. Spent the majority of my career in healthcare. I dabbled in travel on the side here and there. Not even what you would call a side hustle at that point. Just a few bookings over time. But almost without warning, my healthcare job was ending. The position I held wasn’t something that one could easily find elsewhere, especially not for what I was making at the time. So I had to really look deep and decide if I wanted to continue to pursue healthcare. And at that moment, I realized it was just a job, not my passion. Was I good at it? Yes, very good. But it wasn’t something I enjoyed.

So after a lifetime in that field, I was ready to give it up and pursue something I was passionate about. A job that would make me happy. I quickly made a list of what I needed to do and how to do it so I could start my own travel business. Took courses and quickly got certified, but decided going back to college for more certifications after was a good move. I looked at all my options for opening a business, and went with what I felt was the best for my brand, what I wanted to offer, and where I felt I would succeed. I was able to accomplish all that quickly, and am still on the path to success.

Looking back I can see where I made a few missteps and things I could have improved on. But over all I am still on a good path. Nothing comes easy and its been a lot of work. I know that all the work I am doing will help me to continue in the long run. And with having to pivot like I did, I know that if anything like that comes up again, I will be able to pivot once more.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty many different ways. A lot is done through social media. I do polls, ask questions and do what I can to engage my clients regularly. Its always a lot of work, but I find it helps me be more relatable and to get a glimpse of what they are looking for or need. I try to also showcase different destinations, resorts of ships that I think the clients would be interested in and get them talking about the things that are coming. And I try to post specials and promotions that pop up as well. I make myself as relatable as possible. They will see me traveling and having my own experiences that I pots on social media. I am just like them when it comes to vacations. I also do a monthly newsletter to my clients where I highlight things for them. Generally I highlight anything new or things that are upcoming at the destinations that I generally sell. I will also highlight any promotions or specials that are being run. In the newsletter I also will talk a little about the trips I am working on or any other areas I think they will find interesting. Aside from the monthly newsletter, I also will send out newsletters if something truly out of the ordinary comes up. I make sure that I give my clients personalized planning experiences. Meaning, I don’t do cookie cutter vacations, I ensure that each trip is tailored for the client, and make sure that their needs and wants are taken into consideration each step of the way. I will also turn clients away from certain things if I don’t think it would be the best for them, even if it means I miss a sale. I also will turn clients to other advisors if I feel it would be a better fit for them and what they are looking for. I also have a weekly blog that I write where I give tips on travel, highlight places I have been, or where I think people should go. I am very big on giving out general information that could help anyone in anyway. With all that, believe I am keeping in touch with my clients and fostering brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ftjtravelbystacie.wixsite.com/fairytale-journeys
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairytale_journeys_by_stacie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FTJTravelbyStacie/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/fairytale_journeys_by_stacie

Image Credits

All photos taken by me, Stacie Zaan