The No BS Travel Advisor™️

• Why (and How) Travel Agents Should Choose a Profitable Niche

  Links: Cookie Shop in Amsterdam: https://vanstapele.com/en/home/ Dive into niching in Commission with a Comma: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/commission-with-a-comma Learn my Help and Release method in Propose to Close: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/propose-to-close-course Use PODCAST11 to save 11% on my Signature Courses _______________________________________________________________________________ If you’ve ever told someone when they ask you what you do as a travel agent that you “sell everything,” this episode is your official intervention. I’m walking you through the real definition of niching, why generalists burn out faster than someone who has focus and how I went from booking 239 destination weddings (yes, really) to becoming an Italy-obsessed luxury specialist who wakes up excited to do this work again. Let’s get down to the business of niching: How to know when you're ready to niche (hint: your stomach already knows). • Why “Europe specialist,” “groups,” and “luxury” are NOT niches. • How niching makes you referable, profitable, and peaceful instead of panicked. • The cookie shop in Amsterdam that sells ONE cookie and has a line down the damn street and what that teaches you about becoming KNOWN. • How I phased out destination weddings over three years without tanking my income (and how YOU can pivot without blowing up your business). • The “help and release” method and how to stop apologizing for evolving as a business owner. • Why passion + clarity = visibility, better clients, and a way more sustainable business. • A full “niche intersection” writing exercise to help you figure out what the hell you actually WANT to sell. This episode is for the advisor who’s ready to stop chasing every client, every destination, every lead — and start building a business they actually f*cking love. _______________________________________________________________________________ Other links: Italian Tourist Board Training: https://www.italia.it/en Ultimate Jet Vacations (Italy webinars + luxury vendor trainings): https://www.ultimatejetvacations.com/ Your Travel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness _______________________________________________________________________________ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome Back / Who I Am Now Recovering people-pleaser, burnout survivor, Italy-obsessed CEO era unlocked. 02:20 – Why “I Sell Everything” Is a Red Flag And why it’s wasting your time, money, energy, and sanity. 06:11 – The Gut Check: How You Know You’re Ready to Niche Spoiler: your stomach has been screaming at you for years. 10:40 – What Niching Actually Means in the Travel Industry And why 90% of advisors are completely misunderstanding it. 14:55 – The Amsterdam Cookie Shop That Proves the Point One cookie. Line out the door. Lesson delivered. 20:02 – Pivoting Without Panic: My 3-Year Exit from Destination Weddings 239 weddings → zero. What changed, why it mattered, and how income DIDN’T collapse. 29:14 – My Love Story With Italy How one trip flipped the switch and confirmed my passion-led niche. 36:22 – Passion as a Sales Strategy If you can talk about it for three hours without breathing, THAT’S your niche. 40:18 – How to Write Your Niche Intersection The 3-column activity that will change your business. 46:40 – Real Niche Examples (Italy, Caribbean, USA, Destination Weddings) Steal these structures and plug in your niche. 52:10 – Scarcity Mindset, Imposter Syndrome & Why You’re Freaking Out Fear is loud, but passion is louder. 58:33 – The Power of Saying “My Business Model Has Shifted” A masterclass in confident communication. 1:04:20 – Why Passion Beats Hustle Every Single Time And why generalists burn out. 1:08:55 – Final Pep Talk + My Ask Downloads are down. Your girl needs five-star reviews to live. _______________________________________________________________________________ SEO Keywords: travel advisor niche, how to niche travel business, travel agent burnout, luxury travel advisor tips, destination wedding burnout, Italy travel specialist, travel advisor marketing, how to pick a niche, travel advisor mindset, CEO travel advisor, luxury Italy planner, boutique travel planning, travel advisor boundaries, help and release method, travel advisor pivoting

  --------  

  55:18

  --------

  55:18
• Episode 24: Travel Advisor Burnout & Calendar Control

  Marcie Muensterman - https://www.facebook.com/MarcieMuenstermanPropose to Close Course - https://www.facebook.com/groups/proposetoclosewithmarciemuensterman/Maximize Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness/ _____________________________________________________________ 🎧 PODCAST11 Exclusive OfferUse code PODCAST11 at checkout to get 11% off all 4 Signature Courses: First Class Community Facebook Group Course Propose to Close From Closed to Home Commission with a Comma Start leveling up today! _____________________________________________________________ Show Notes: Burnout in the travel industry is not a badge of honor, and it’s definitely not a business model. In this raw solo episode, Marcie shares the unfiltered story of how she went from working 24/7 as a travel advisor, answering emails from the bathroom with the flu, working through holidays, skipping maternity leave, and treating her own family like an interruption - to burning out so hard she left the industry for three years. When she came back in 2018, she refused to rebuild the same travel agent monster. Instead, she rebuilt her business around boundaries, calendar control, and a 20-hour workweek that actually supports her life as a mom, caregiver, and CEO. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why “hustle culture” in the travel industry is outdated and harmful. The one regret she has about early motherhood (and why it shapes her boundaries now). How she decided which rules to make for her business—and how to stick to them. Why she no longer works nights, weekends, or big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. How and why she refuses to book clients over key dates like family birthdays and her annual Christmas beach trip. Why she doesn’t travel when her clients travel and how she plans her year nearly 12 months in advance. How office hours, appointment-only consults, and clear expectations changed her client relationships. Why aligned clients respect boundaries (and misaligned ones fire themselves). How you can start moving toward a six-figure, 20-hour-per-week travel business, slow and steady. If you’ve ever thought, “I love being a travel advisor, but I can’t keep living like this,” this episode is your blueprint for doing it differently. 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned Propose to Close™ – my step-by-step consult + sales framework for travel advisors: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/propose-to-close-course 👉 Use code PODCAST for 11% off Propose to Close™ First Class Community™ – my Facebook Group course that turns your community into a client pipeline: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/fb-group-course 👉 Use code PODCAST for 11% off First Class Community™ Episode Timestamps / Chapters Use these for show notes + YouTube description: 00:00 – Welcome + Why This Episode Matters Setting the tone: no fluff, no fake positivity, no glorified burnout. 03:30 – The Season of 24/7 Hustle Nights, weekends, no maternity leave, panic attacks under the desk, and treating family like an interruption. 09:15 – The Moment Everything Broke Burning out so hard you left the industry for three years and what that actually looked like. 13:40 – Coming Back to Travel With New Non-Negotiables Therapy, mindset work, support, and deciding you won’t build the same monster twice. 18:30 – The One Regret: Early Motherhood in Hustle Mode Working through grief, daycare guilt, and redefining what “success” means. 23:00 – Realizing 24/7 Availability Is NOT Professionalism Panic attacks, answering emails from the bathroom, and recognizing “being accessible” isn’t the flex you thought it was. 27:45 – You’re a 1099, Not an Employee Why hosts don’t own your time, your calendar, or your boundaries. 32:10 – Learning to Say No (Kids’ Birthday Parties, PTA, and Beyond) Practicing boundaries in your personal life first so you can carry them into your business. 38:20 – Setting Rules for Your Business (And Owning Them) What you don’t do anymore: instant replies, quoting in DMs, nights, weekends, and apologizing for policies. 44:00 – Office Hours as a Non-Negotiable Designing your days, working 20-ish hours, and refusing to bully yourself with endless to-do lists. 50:00 – Holidays, Birthdays & Blocking Life First Why you don’t work over Thanksgiving, Christmas, or family birthdays—and you don’t book travel over your own key dates. 55:30 – Not Traveling When Your Clients Travel Planning your own trips a year in advance so you’re not a crisis manager on your vacation. 1:00:00 – The 20-Hour Workweek Mindset Why you don’t believe in the 40-hour week for travel advisors and how marketing + boundaries replace “more hours.” 1:06:30 – Eat That Frog & Managing Your Day Tackling the big tasks first, using reminders, and not letting social/media distract you from actual work. 1:13:00 – When You DO Break Your Own Rules (On Purpose) Deciding consciously when to respond after hours and taking responsibility for your own boundary breaks. 1:18:00 – Planning a Year in Advance Blocking out travel, holidays, and time off so you’re not in constant reaction mode. 1:24:00 – Clients Don’t Need Unlimited Access—They Need Clear Expectations Resetting expectations with old clients and why aligned clients stay. 1:30:00 – Why You Don’t Do Conferences, Ear-Splitting Noise, or Old-School Schmoozing Building relationships your way, with BDMs and vendors who respect you. 1:35:00 – You Can Make Six Figures in 20 Hours a Week Letting go of the “more clients, more hours” lie and choosing boundaries instead of burnout. 1:40:00 – Final Pep Talk: Redefine Success & Block Your Calendar Encouragement to start now, not on January 1st, and design the damn business you actually want. travel advisor burnout travel agent burnout travel advisor boundaries travel agent boundaries 20 hour workweek travel advisor 20 hour work week travel agent work life balance for travel advisors travel advisor hustle culture travel advisor coaching travel agent business tips how to set boundaries with clients travel advisor office hours stop working 24/7 as a travel agent

  --------  

  56:17

  --------

  56:17
• Episode 23: None of Their Business!

  Marcie Muensterman - https://www.facebook.com/MarcieMuenstermanPropose to Close Course - https://www.facebook.com/groups/proposetoclosewithmarciemuensterman/Maximize Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness/ _____________________________________________________________ 🎧 PODCAST11 Exclusive OfferUse code PODCAST11 at checkout to get 11% off all 4 Signature Courses: First Class Community Facebook Group Course Propose to Close From Closed to Home Commission with a Comma Start leveling up today! _____________________________________________________________ Show Notes How to Leave Your Host Guide: https://marciemuensterman.mykajabi.com/offers/Q8QLQSFJ/checkout Join Maximize Your Travel Advisor Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness In this solo episode of the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, Marcie goes all in on a topic most host owners hope you never fully understand: what actually is and is NOT your travel agency owner’s business when you’re a 1099 independent contractor. If you’ve ever: Called your owner “boss” Felt nervous to share an idea in your host group Overshared how you run your business Thought you “owed” two weeks’ notice to leave …this episode is your wake-up call. Marcie shares her own journey from straight-A, gold-star, Dairy Queen rule-follower to overachieving travel advisor who trained for free, ran social for free, and bent over backwards to be the “favorite” in a host environment where she was never actually an employee. She unpacks how that people-pleasing, “don’t rock the boat” conditioning bleeds into the travel industry, keeping advisors small, scared, and dependent. Inside the episode, you’ll hear: The difference between wanting support and mentorship vs. wanting supervision Why your only real “boss” is your client, not your host The legal and practical line between a W-2 employee and a W-9 independent contractor What your host can reasonably require (IC agreement, commission tracking, basic policies) And what is absolutely none of their fucking business: Your CRM, workflows, systems, automations, templates Your website, email list, social media, funnels, and lead magnets Your fees—what you charge, when you charge, who you charge Your networking, BDM relationships, fams, and community marketing Marcie also breaks down why you do NOT have to “give notice” to a host, how to transition quietly without drama, and why any owner who wants complete control (over your trainings, fam photos, content, and even which coaches you listen to) needs to switch to a W-2 model and put people on payroll. If you’re feeling stuck, codependent, or low-key terrified to leave a misaligned agency, this episode will remind you: You’re the CEO. You pay for your independence. And most of what you’re building is none of their fucking business. Chapters / Timestamps 00:01 – When You’re in Marcie’s DMs, It’s Probably Time to Go Gut feelings, toxicity, and why deep DMs about leaving are the final sign. 02:10 – You Signed a W-9, Not a Job Offer Jumping in without vetting, not reading the fine print, and what it really means to be a 1099 IC. 04:20 – Your Only Boss Is Your Client Wanting “family,” belonging, and why you don’t owe performance energy to your host. 06:10 – Support vs. Supervision: They Are Not Your Boss Meetings, trainings, fam expectations and the difference between guidance and micromanagement. 08:30 – Gold-Star Girl: Marcie’s People-Pleaser Origin Story Latin exam 50¢, Dairy Queen, loving rules, and being obsessed with being the best. 14:10 – Challenging the Status Quo & 24/7 Hustle Culture Indoctrination, “falling in line,” and why the 24/7 grind model is bullshit. 18:40 – You Are a Business: LLC, E&O, EIN & Independence Why your own structures matter even under a host; starting scared, confused, and learning as you go. 20:55 – Who Are You Overachieving For? Clients vs. owners, designing your own life, and the “who are you showing up for?” gut check. 23:20 – W-2 vs W-9: Where Control Crosses the Line What hosts can require, what they can’t, and why control + risk don’t mix. 25:40 – What Is None of Their Business (CRM, Systems, Fees) Internal operations, separate CRM, website, workflows, seller of travel, and fee freedom. 28:35 – Stop Telling Them Everything Fam photos, social media access, lead magnets, networking leads—why oversharing gives away your power. 30:40 – BDMs, Fams & Industry Relationships: You Don’t Need a Gatekeeper The “you’re not allowed to talk to your BDM” myth and reclaiming your industry connections. 33:05 – You Don’t Have to Give Notice to a Host Ending contracts vs. quitting jobs, dual-hosting quietly, and why “notice” is a corporate concept. 36:00 – Some Hosts Melt Down: How to Protect Yourself Petty reactions, cut-off access, delayed commissions, and why you leave quietly and clean. 39:05 – How to Actually Say ‘I’m Done’ (Without a 14-Paragraph Goodbye) Simple offboarding language, no emotional essays, and no exit interview required. 41:40 – If They Want Control, They Need a W-2 Model Controlling training, social, fam content, and even which coaches you follow—why that screams W-2. 44:00 – Stop Oversharing & Start Acting Like a CEO Mistakes vs autonomy, finding mentors with no stake, and making friends outside your host bubble. 46:20 – Your IP, Your Independence, Your CEO Era Not signing away your creations, paying for independence via splits/fees, and standing Wonder Woman-style in your own business. 49:10 – Final Pep Talk: They’re Not Your Boss (And Please Stop Calling Them That) IC laws, covering your own ass, DM’ing Marcie if you’re in a toxic situation, and remembering most of your business is none of their fucking business. SEO Keywords & Phrases travel advisor independent contractor 1099 vs W2 travel agent host agency red flags toxic host travel agency leaving your host agency do travel agents have to give notice travel advisor IC rights travel agent W9 vs W2 oversharing with host agency travel advisor boundaries with host travel agency owner vs host agency how to end IC agreement travel agent Marcie Muensterman No BS Travel Advisor host agency control vs independence travel advisor business to business relationship how to leave a toxic travel agency quietly

  --------  

  40:26

  --------

  40:26
• Episode 22: The F Word: How Charging Fees Changes Your Travel Agent Business

  Marcie Muensterman - https://www.facebook.com/MarcieMuenstermanPropose to Close Course - https://www.facebook.com/groups/proposetoclosewithmarciemuensterman/Maximize Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness/ _____________________________________________________________ 🎧 PODCAST11 Exclusive OfferUse code PODCAST11 at checkout to get 11% off all 4 Signature Courses: First Class Community Facebook Group Course Propose to Close From Closed to Home Commission with a Comma Start leveling up today! _____________________________________________________________ In this solo episode of the No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, Marcie dives deep into “The F Word” — Fees — and why charging them is one of the most transformative decisions a travel advisor can make. She shares her 18-year journey from working for free and burning out to stepping into CEO confidence, implementing a fee-based model, and reclaiming her time, sanity, and income. Marcie breaks down the fear advisors have around charging fees, how the pandemic pushed her into finally doing it, and why aligned clients gladly pay for expertise. She covers the mindset shift required to stop being a “free quote machine,” how fees instantly create better boundaries, and the exact moment she said “I’m done” and charged her first $100. This episode is packed with real talk on client relationships, mindset, boundaries, sales psychology, and the business foundation every advisor needs if they want profit, confidence, and a travel business that doesn’t burn them alive. If you’re tired of tire kickers, ghosting, DM quotes, and working 24/7 for nothing, this is required listening. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why fees are the real F word in the travel industry — and why advisors fear them • The difference between service-based travel advisors and “free quote machines” • How burnout in 2015 led Marcie to her breaking point • The moment the pandemic forced her hand and she finally charged her first fee • How fees transformed her sanity, schedule, and income • Why aligned clients happily pay for professional service • How to stop attracting people who ghost, DM you for quotes, or waste your time • How to set up your fee agreement so you’re covered legally and financially • Why fees instantly create boundaries, clarity, and better relationships • When to charge, who to charge, and why consistency matters • How to talk about your fee confidently and professionally • Why you don’t need 10 years of experience to charge — you need belief • Why the fee model is the fastest way to reduce workload and increase income • How Marcie collected over $20,000 in fees in one year — and why she’ll never go back • How to “help and release” clients who don’t want to pay • Why charging fees turns you into the CEO of your business, not the help Major Takeaways Charging fees was one of the best damn decisions of Marcie’s career • Fees create boundaries, clarity, and better client relationships • An aligned client values your time and pays your fee without flinching • You do NOT need to “earn” the right to charge — you already bring experience • Free agents will always exist — but you are not free • The moment you charge a fee, your entire energy shifts to CEO mode • Fees eliminate ghosting, tire kickers, and “just curious” DMs • Charging fees cut Marcie’s workload in half • Fees generated $20K+ in additional income and gave her her life back • Your worth is non-negotiable — you’re allowed to charge from day one Powerful Quotes “Charging fees was one of the best damn decisions I ever made for my business.” • “My aligned client is willing to pay — no matter what.” • “I’m not free, and I’m okay with that.” • “If $200 is going to make you combust—you’re not my client.” • “You are not Expedia. You are not AAA. You are a service-based travel advisor.” • “You’ve been doing service work your entire life — don’t dismiss it now.” • “Fees filter out the bullshit so you can finally breathe.” Keywords: travel advisor fees, charging fees travel industry, travel advisor burnout, travel advisor boundaries, fee-based model, travel agent business growth, aligned clients, travel advisor mindset, travel advisor income, how to charge fees as a travel advisor, travel advisor coaching, DM tire kickers, service-based travel advisor EPISODE CHAPTERS (TIME-STAMPED) 00:00 — Welcome & Why This Solo Episode Exists Marcie introduces the topic and explains why the “F word” (fees) is such a big deal in the travel advisor world. 00:39 — The DM Problem: Quotes, Tire Kickers & Working for Free Why advisors attract the wrong clients and how giving free quotes fuels burnout. 03:40 — Burnout, Boundaries & the Years She Quit Travel How working for free and having zero boundaries forced Marcie out of the industry in 2015. 08:40 — Coming Back to Travel & Still Not Charging Fees Her return in 2018, better boundaries… but still fee-free. 10:47 — The 2020 Breakdown: Losing $50K & Hitting Her Limit The moment COVID pushed her over the edge and she drew the line in the sand. 13:10 — Charging Her First Fee & the Immediate Shift The first $100 fee she ever charged — and how it changed everything. 15:30 — The Fee Model Today: Who Pays, When, and Why How she decides who gets charged and how boundaries play into it. 20:40 — Losing Clients (and Why Some Should Go Anyway) Not everyone will pay your fee — and that’s a good thing. 22:52 — The “Help & Release” Method How to let clients go with kindness and clarity. 26:10 — Building Your Fee Agreement: What It MUST Include The breakdown of the professional, legally sound agreement every advisor needs. 34:00 — Florida Seller of Travel Law: What You Actually Need Clearing up major myths around SOTs and fees. 39:00 — How to Collect Fees (Stripe, Wave, Systems) The operational setup that keeps your money safe and flowing. 43:05 — Where to Talk About Fees & How to Say It How to message your fee publicly and in DMs without scaring off the right clients. 46:10 — How to Price Your Fees: Per Person, Per Trip, Complexity Her exact minimums and how they evolved. 51:30 — You Deserve to Charge (Mindset Work) The internal belief work that makes fee charging sustainable. 55:10 — Affirmations That Rewire Your CEO Brain Mantras that help advisors step into confidence and clarity. 57:45 — The Massive Business Impact: $20K Fees, Time Back, Better Clients How fees changed her business, workflow, and life. 1:01:10 — Final Message: Start Charging Today Encouragement, tough love, and a call to action for every advisor listening.

  --------  

  56:02

  --------

  56:02
• Elena: Single Mama by Choice, Wellness Travel Agent by Design

  Ananda Spa - https://www.anandaspa.com/Score Mentorship - https://www.score.org/Qwoted - https://www.qwoted.com/Studio Roam Travel Website - https://studioroamtravel.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/studioroamtravel _____________________________________________________________ 🎧 PODCAST11 Exclusive OfferUse code PODCAST11 at checkout to get 11% off all 4 Signature Courses: First Class Community Facebook Group Course Propose to Close From Closed to Home Commission with a Comma Start leveling up today! _____________________________________________________________ Summary In the last episode of Season 2 of The No BS Travel Advisor Podcast, host Marcie Muensterman sits down with Elena Rodriguez, founder of Studio Roam (formerly Atlas & Aura), a new travel advisor, single mom by choice, and sustainability-driven entrepreneur who’s rewriting what success looks like in the travel industry. Elena opens up about her journey from the fashion world to full-time travel advising, navigating motherhood, building systems from scratch, and choosing purpose over perfection. She shares how yoga, meditation, and manifestation keep her grounded while running both a corporate job and her own travel business, and why she believes sustainability and wellness must be part of every client’s itinerary. Marcie and Elena dive into everything from charging fees and setting boundaries to manifesting the business you want, while keeping it real about burnout, motherhood, and building a village. This episode is packed with practical, heart-centered advice for any travel advisor ready to align their business with who they really are. _____________________________________________________________ 💡 Takeaways Elena’s story is proof that you can build a powerful travel business even in the middle of life’s chaos. She became a single mom by choice, balancing motherhood, a corporate job, and her new travel agency, Studio Roam. Her fashion industry background taught her the art of precision, detail, and brand storytelling, skills she now applies to travel design. Elena believes sustainability and wellness aren’t just buzzwords, they’re guiding values that shape how clients experience the world. She’s learned to set boundaries early, charge confidently, and prioritize aligned clients over “freebie” requests. Through manifestation and action, she’s proving that mindset isn’t fluff, it’s fuel. Her journey represents the next generation of travel advisors: authentic, strategic, and rooted in service. _____________________________________________________________ 🕒 Chapters Time 00:00 Intro: Resilience, Self-Trust, and Starting Fresh 02:45 Meet Elena Rodriguez — Founder of Studio Roam 05:30 Becoming a Single Mom by Choice 08:40 From Fashion to Travel: The Transferable Skills 12:10 Balancing Motherhood, Work, and Entrepreneurship 16:20 Boundaries & Burnout: Lessons from a Ghosting Client 20:15 Charging Fees and Building Confidence Early 25:30 Sustainability and Wellness in Family Travel 31:00 The Power of Manifestation + Action 36:10 Coaching and Mentorship: Why Guidance Matters 40:40 The Future of Studio Roam: Freedom, Beauty, and Balance 44:00 Elena’s Unpopular Opinion: Manifestation Isn’t Woo-Woo, It’s Work 48:30 3 Free Things Every Travel Advisor Should Do Right Now 52:00 Closing: Owning Your Story and Standing in Your Power Keywords travel advisor, single mom, motherhood, resilience, manifestation, sustainable travel, work-life balance, travel business, wellness travel, yoga, meditation, fashion industry, boundaries, charging fees, client experience, travel consulting, mentorship, luxury travel, wellness retreats, sustainability, family travel, entrepreneurship, manifestation, new advisor, business mindset

  --------  

  1:15:52

  --------

  1:15:52

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The No BS Travel Advisor™️