The Travel Business Unpacked
The Travel Business Unpacked is a podcast by Gifted Travel Network, a host agency for luxury travel advisors. Hosted by Meredith Calloway, it offers inspiring stories, expert insights, and proven strategies for building a sustainable travel business. The show aims to help listeners turn a love for travel into a thriving career, whether they are starting out or looking to grow an existing venture.
Episodes
Grief, Grace, and the Art of Surprise and Delight with Veronica Gonzalez
Veronica Gonzalez spent years promoting tourism in McAllen, Texas, and working in her father's pharmacy before she let herself build a business around what she loved most: planning travel. In this episode, Veronica joins Meredith Calloway to talk about how Delighted Designs grew from a destination event business into a luxury travel practice that does both. That growth started with a villa own
Soul-Stirring Journeys and a Seven-Figure First Year with Sylvia Sulkes
Sylvia Sulkes knew for years that her work wasn't fulfilling her anymore, but it took a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro with her husband to make the decision clear. A month after coming down the mountain, she joined GTN's Travel MBA program and launched Sol Kiss Escapes, a luxury travel business built around soul-stirring journeys that give clients what they actually need, whether that's re
Outgrowing Your Host Agency: Laura Gonzalez on Finding the Right Fit
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway is joined by Laura Gonzalez, founder of Vacation Artisans Travel Agency, to talk about knowing when it's time for a change and starting fresh after a decade in the industry.Laura shares her journey from nonprofit event planning to ten years as a travel advisor, including the slump that made her decide whether to recommit to h
Julie and Alex Ott on Building a Mother-Son Team in Luxury Sports Travel
Julie and Alex Ott are the mother-son team behind Triple Play Vacations. In this episode, they join Meredith Calloway to talk about what it looks like to build a business together while specializing in one of travel's fastest-growing niches: sporting events.Julie's path into travel started during the pandemic, right after wrapping up 25 years in the apparel and footwear industry, including
From Family CEO to Luxury Travel: Lucie McLaughlin's First Year in Business
Lucie McLaughlin spent over two decades as what she calls the "family CEO," and when her kids grew up and life took an unexpected turn, she found herself searching for a new sense of purpose. In this episode, Lucie joins host Meredith Calloway to talk about trading the family-planner role for a career as a luxury travel advisor, and how a conversation with her mother-in-law led her to re
Less Than a Year In: Unpacking Nicholas Dintelmann's Leap into Luxury Travel
Nicholas Dintelmann spent over a decade in corporate retail before he let himself pursue the international, travel-focused career he'd wanted since childhood. In this episode, Nicholas joins Meredith to talk about the deliberate process of unraveling his corporate life before joining GTN's Travel MBA program in the February 2026 cohort and launching CARTE ATLAS, his luxury travel business
Pam Smithgall on Creating the Perfect Travel “Symphony”
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Pam Smithgall, owner of South Shore Travel and a longtime Gifted Travel Network member.Pam began her career as a music teacher before discovering a way to turn her love of travel into a business. Today, she brings the same attention to detail, sequencing, and storytelling that she learned through music into the
From Corporate Careers to a 7-Figure Travel Business: Shawn Lamphear & Jon Malpass
Shawn Lamphear and Jon Malpass of LM Authentic Travel went from corporate careers to a seven-figure producing, six-figure-earning travel business in under two years. In this episode, Shawn and Jon join Meredith Calloway to break down exactly how they did it: why referrals (not cold outreach) drove every client they've landed, how their software backgrounds shaped the systems and workflows behi
Lisa VanBuhler on Painting the Perfect Travel Masterpiece for Every Client
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Lisa VanBuhler of XOOM Tours, a longtime Gifted Travel Network member who has built a thriving luxury travel business from an unconventional start in student and group travel.Lisa shares how her background in education led her to planning trips for students, eventually serving groups of up to 250 people, and how
Keely Culpepper on Creating Experiences That Keep Clients Coming Back
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway is joined by Keely Culpepper, founder of Blue Venture Travel, to talk about building a travel business around exceptional client experiences and lasting relationships.Keely shares her journey from the corporate world to travel entrepreneurship and how focusing on thoughtful, personalized service has helped her build a business dr
The Power of Mentorship in Building a Travel Business with Meghann Bjarnesen
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway welcomes back Meghann Bjarnesen, co-owner of Besté Travel Design and Lead Mentor & Programs Manager for Gifted Travel Network's Travel Business University.After first joining the podcast as a successful travel business owner, Meghann returns with a new perspective as she steps into a leadership role focused on mentor
Kay Fahlberg on Finding Your Niche Without Boxing Yourself In
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway sits down with Kay Fahlberg, owner of Ippo Travel, to discuss how finding your niche doesn't have to mean limiting your business. Drawing on her Japanese heritage and passion for travel, Kay shares how she built a reputation as a Japan expert while creating a brand that allows her to serve clients traveling all over the world.Along t
Carol McKee on Building Successful Travel Groups Without the Headaches
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway welcomes back Carol McKee of McKee Travel for a practical conversation about one of the biggest growth opportunities for travel advisors: group travel. From destination weddings and milestone celebrations to hosted tours and educational conferences, Carol shares the lessons she's learned after planning groups of all shapes and sizes,
Katina Athanasiou on Calibrating Your Life, Career, and Leadership
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway welcomes Katina Athanasiou, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services at Celebrity Cruises, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, authenticity, and building a career that truly fulfills you.Katina's journey to executive leadership has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to continually evol
How Angie Corry Discovered Her Niche One Adventure at a Time
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Angie Corry, founder of Adventurously Yours Travel Design.After moving to the Netherlands for her husband's job, Angie found herself navigating an unexpected season of life. What started as planning weekend adventures for her own family soon turned into organizing trips for fellow expats, eventually revealin
From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Building a Luxury Travel Business with Ashley Carlson
Making the leap into entrepreneurship is never easy, especially when you're leaving behind a career you've known for years. In this episode, Meredith welcomes Travel MBA graduate Ashley Carlson, founder of Carlson Travel Co., to share how she transitioned from elementary school teacher and stay-at-home mom to luxury travel entrepreneur.Ashley reflects on the mindset shifts, branding decisi
From Day Trader to Luxury Travel Entrepreneur: John Rees on Building a Business He Loves
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by returning guest John Rees, founder of J5 Luxury Travel Tailors.After leaving a successful career in day trading, John built a thriving luxury travel business centered around his passion for travel and a commitment to exceptional client experiences. In this conversation, he reflects on how his role has changed as
Nicole Shipper on Scaling a Travel Business Without Losing the Personal Touch
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway welcomes back Nicole Shipper, founder of TBN Travel Curators, for her second appearance on the podcast.Since her last conversation with Meredith, Nicole has navigated a major rebrand, continued growing her team, and faced the new challenges that come with scaling a business beyond herself. Together, they discuss what it real
The Future of Travel Advisor Technology, Featuring David Shull of Tern
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, guest host Sandy Saburn sits down with David Shull, co-founder and CEO of Tern.When David first discovered the travel advisor industry, he saw a profession filled with talented entrepreneurs who were navigating their businesses with disconnected systems and outdated technology. Rather than assuming he knew the solution, he spent years listening to
Laura Young on Reinventing Her Career and Finding Freedom Through Travel
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Laura Young, founder of Laura Young Travel and a 2026 Gifted Travel Network Momentum Award winner.After more than 20 years in financial services, Laura made the decision to leave behind a stable corporate career and build a travel business that aligned more closely with the life she wanted. In this conversation,
Why Advocacy Matters for Every Travel Advisor, Featuring Jessica Klement
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jessica Klement, Vice President of Advocacy for American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).Jessica shares how she built a career in advocacy, starting on Capitol Hill before eventually finding her place in the travel industry. Together, Meredith and Jessica unpack the work happening behind the scenes to protect
Kim Weas on Why the Right Advisor Community Matters
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Kim Weas, founder of MoonTide Travel. Kim shares her journey from accidental travel advisor to established business owner, and the pivotal moment she realized her business needed something different to keep growing.From navigating a host agency transition to redefining her vision for the future, Kim offers an ho
How Nancy Gany Built a Referral-Driven Luxury Travel Business
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Nancy Gany, founder of Inspired Steps Luxury Travel and a Travel MBA alum who has quickly built a thriving, referral-driven luxury travel business based in relationships, trust, and elevated service.With a background in consulting and project management, Nancy shares how she transitioned into the travel industry
Celebrating Travel Advisor Appreciation Week with Shannon Cunningham
In this special bonus episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Shannon Cunningham, Director of Engagement at Gifted Travel Network, to celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day and GTN’s Travel Advisor Appreciation Week.Together, Meredith and Shannon shine a light on the heart, resilience, and behind-the-scenes work that make travel advisors so valuable. They
Carol McKee on Closing the Hidden Gaps in Your Travel Business
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Carol McKee of McKee Travel, a Travel MBA alum, GTN mentor, and seven-figure travel entrepreneur. Carol shares how her background as a CFO and business owner shaped the way she approached building a travel business, and why so many advisors miss the mark when they focus only on trip planning instead of the busin
Building a Travel Business That Supports Your Life, Featuring Sarah Key
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway is joined by Sarah Key, founder of The Keys to Travel.Sarah shares her journey from corporate life to building a travel business that supports both her professional growth and personal life. From taking the leap into entrepreneurship to switching host agencies and navigating motherhood with two young kids, she offers an honest look at wh
From Insurance to Gifting, Building a More Intentional Travel Business, with Roseann Coyle
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Roseann Coyle of Sun Drenched Travel. A travel advisor, mentor inside Gifted Travel Network, and former insurance industry leader, Roseann brings a perspective most advisors never get access to, but absolutely need.In this conversation, she breaks down why travel insurance should never be an afterthought. From c
From Entrepreneurial Business Owner to Luxury Travel Specialist, with Robin Cline
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Robin Cline, founder of Cline & Co Travel Consulting. A former entrepreneur turned luxury travel advisor, Robin has built a highly successful, referral-driven business rooted in clarity, service, and strong client relationships.Robin shares what it really looked like to launch her travel business just before
Stop Doing Everything Yourself: Jennifer Jacob on Scaling the Right Way
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jennifer Jacob, Co-Founder of Tique HQ and host of the Tique Talks podcast. After scaling a multi-million dollar travel agency, Jennifer shifted her focus to helping advisors build more structured, sustainable businesses.In this conversation, Jennifer shares how her journey in travel evolved and why so many advi
The Travel Business Unpacked LIVE: Unpacking Successful River Cruise Group Strategies
This week we had a special live recording of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast where we got to dive into one of the most powerful growth strategies in luxury travel: river cruise groups.In this dynamic, candid panel conversation, host Meredith Calloway was joined by Gifted Travel Network advisors Carol Mckee (Mckee Travel), Patti Mills-Roy (Mills-Roy Luxury Travel), Emer Coughlin (Celtic Hearts
Preparing for the Unexpected: Crisis Management with Kristin Matthews
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Sandy Saburn, Chief Communications Officer at Gifted Travel Network, steps in as host and is joined by Kristin Matthews, Vice President of Professional Development.Together, they unpack one of the most overlooked but essential parts of running a travel business: crisis management.From flight disruptions to global uncertainty, Kristin shares how ad
Unpacking Your Game Plan for Success in Attending Industry Events with Sandy Saburn
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Gifted Travel Network’s Chief Communications Officer, Sandy Saburn, to unpack how travel advisors can make the most of industry events. From deciding which events are worth the investment to building meaningful relationships on-site and following up in a way that drives revenue, Sandy shares her practical 3R fra
From Corporate Advertising Executive to Luxury Travel Entrepreneur with Lange Taylor
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Lange Taylor, founder of Taylor Luxury Travel. A former advertising executive turned luxury travel advisor, Lange shares how he built a seven-figure business by combining business acumen, a love of food and wine, and a willingness to start before he had everything figured out.In this conversation, Lange reflects
Starting From Scratch: What It Really Takes to Build a Travel Advisor Career
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is flying solo for a new style of episode centered around your most frequently asked questions. The theme is simple: starting from scratch.If you’re still in the discovery phase, researching host agencies, wondering whether this is a legitimate career path, or quietly asking yourself if you could actually make real money doi
From Corporate IT to Curated Ireland: Reinventing a Career Through Travel With Margaret Critz
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Margaret Critz, founder of For the Good Times Travel and a current Travel MBA student. After working 25 years in corporate IT for the insurance industry, Margaret made the bold decision to leave stability behind and reinvent her career through travel. In this episode, she shares what that leap really looked like
From Driver to Designer: How Julien Nolan Became a Trusted Luxury Travel Advisor
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Julien Nolan, founder of Husseau, a travel advisory business dedicated to ultra-high-net-worth clients. A recent graduate of the Travel MBA program, Julien is already delivering extraordinary experiences rooted in elegance, discretion, and deep personal connection.With a background in luxury hospitality, Julien
From Cruise Lines to Custom Journeys: Lee Lennon on Crafting a Business Around Luxury Travel
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Lee Lennon, founder of Travel by Design and longtime Gifted Travel Network member. After years creating high-touch programs for luxury cruise lines, Lee stepped into entrepreneurship and built a thriving, referral-only business. She shares how her industry background shaped her client care philosophy, how she ap
Rachael O’Brien: Raising Culturally Conscious Kids, One Country at a Time
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Rachael O’Brien, founder of How Far Adventures, for a deeply honest conversation about what happens when life shifts unexpectedly and travel becomes more than just a career choice. Rachael shares how a major personal transition reshaped her priorities and led her to build a travel business that could flex with
Building Confidence and Credibility From Day One With Melissa Nagelberg
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Melissa Nagelberg, founder of MN Signature Escapes and a standout student in GTN’s Travel MBA program.Melissa shares how she went from stay-at-home mom to thriving travel entrepreneur in under a year, building a business rooted in client care, intentional branding, and strategic support. With a natural ability t
Finding the Right Host for Your Travel Business with Shayna Zand from Host Agency Reviews
This year, Meredith Calloway is kicking off The Travel Business Unpacked podcast with a conversation every travel advisor needs - whether you’re brand new, years in, or reconsidering your current setup. She’s joined by Shayna Zand, Managing Director of Host Agency Reviews, to break down what host agencies actually do, the most common misconceptions advisors still have, and how to choose the right
The Difference Between Selling Travel and Running a 7-Figure Travel Business
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Angela Isherwood, founder of Olive & Atlas Travel, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow from passionate advisor to confident travel entrepreneur.Angela shares her journey from a corporate, analytics-driven career into travel, how the disruption of the pandemic became a catalyst
Group Trips, Big Results, and Plenty of Fun with Patti Mills-Roy
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Patti Mills-Roy, founder of Mills-Roy Luxury Travel, longtime GTN community member, and a Top Producer who never set out to build a “big” business — she just wanted something meaningful (and fun) in her next chapter.After working as a international buyer, Patti eased into travel advising thinking it would be a
Turning High Professional Standards into a High-Touch Travel Business with Jackie Wammock
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jackie Wammock, founder of Travelera Partners and a graduate of GTN’s Travel MBA program. After a thriving 30-year career in commercial real estate, Jackie made a bold pivot into luxury travel advising, bringing with her a deep respect for client trust, project management expertise, and an unwavering commitment
Heather Vergara: Building the Team Behind Show Them the World
In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway sits down with Heather Vergara, founder of Show Them the World, to unpack her journey from corporate brand marketing to building a multi-million-dollar travel business.Heather shares how her background in marketing and storytelling helped her attract clients organically through content, why shifting her focus to luxury trav
50 Episodes and One Year Later: Behind the Podcast with Meredith Calloway
In this week's special milestone episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway takes the hot seat and is interviewed by guest host Lybbi Hebel, GTN's Creative Marketing Strategist. To mark the podcast’s 50th episode and one-year anniversary, Meredith reflects on the journey of how the podcast came to be, why spotlighting advisor stories matters so deeply, and what she’
Beyond the Highlight Reel with Julie Ann Hargett
Meredith is joined by Julie Ann Hargett, owner of H Luxury Travel and GTN Top Producer. Julie Ann shares how she went from planning a personal anniversary trip to building a referral-only luxury travel business, all while raising two kids and navigating rapid industry shifts. In this episode, Julie Ann opens up about the challenges of growing a high-touch agency, what it really takes to deliver lu
Designing an Effective Luxury Travel Brand That Feels True to You
In this week's special episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway was joined live at The 7-Figure Travel Business Summit by three advisors known for their standout branding. During this dynamic panel conversation, these advisors shared how they turned personal vision into powerful brand identities that not only feel luxurious, but deeply aligned with their values a
From Fear of Flying to 40 Under 40 & the Future of Travel Advising feat. Caroline Hollar
In this episode, Meredith Calloway talks with Caroline Hollar, GTN’s Director of Marketing, about her journey from fresh college graduate to TravelPulse 40 Under 40 honoree. Caroline shares what nearly a decade inside Gifted Travel Network has taught her about the evolution of travel entrepreneurship, the rise of next-gen advisors, and how AI is reshaping marketing and creativity across the indust
How Laney Sachs Turned Her Love for Italy into a Seven-Figure Travel Brand
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Laney Sachs, founder of Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures and GTN Top Producer. What began as a side hustle importing olive oil from Italy turned into a thriving travel business rooted in Laney’s deep love for Italy, her eye for detail, and her commitment to doing things right. In this episode, she shares how her e
A New Chapter: How Joan Qualls Built a Second Career as a Luxury Travel Advisor
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Joan Qualls of Tasteful Voyages, a longtime Travel MBA alum with a sharp business background and a deep love for travel. After a successful 30-year career in healthcare finance, Joan could have comfortably retired, but she instead chose to build a travel business from the ground up. Joan shares how she accidenta
The Busy Besté: How Meghann Bjarnesen Thrives with an Extra Full Plate
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Meghann Bjarnesen, co-founder of Besté Travel Design. With a corporate background in health insurance and a consulting mindset, Meghann brings a refreshingly strategic and systems-driven perspective to building a travel business, all while still working a full-time job.In this episode, Meghann shares how leaving
Unpacking the 7-Figure Travel Business Summit
Curious about the 7-Figure Travel Business Summit and whether it’s right for you? In this solo episode, Meredith Calloway pulls back the curtain on GTN’s highly anticipated 3-day virtual event happening November 18–20.Whether you’re dreaming about turning your passion for travel into a legitimate career or you’re an established advisor stuck in the “accidental hobbyist” trap, this summit was desig
Pinch-Me Moments and Million Dollar Milestones with Kim Esté
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Kim Esté, co-founder of Besté Travel Designs. A former high school educator who once led student trips through Europe, Kim shares how a casual conversation with a friend sparked a complete career transformation—and how she’s built a thriving travel business in her 60s.In this candid conversation, Kim reflects on
Scaling Smart with Katie Crago: Team, Service, and Growth
Meredith sits down with Top Producer Katie Crago of KHC Grand Travel to explore how she turned a love for Disney into the foundation of a thriving luxury travel business. Katie shares how she escaped the “accidental hobbyist” trap, defined her ideal client, and built a small but mighty team to support growth. They dive into mindset shifts, delegation strategies, and the three phases of the sales c
Cruising, Kindness, and the Future of Travel with Industry Icon Vicki Freed
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service. With a career spanning more than four decades, Vicki has become one of the most respected leaders in cruising and one of the strongest advocates for travel advisors.In this episode, Vicki reflects on her path
Travel MBA Unpacked: Insights from the Inside with Stephanie Jones
What’s the difference between starting your own travel business and joining an existing agency as a booking member? In this episode, Meredith Calloway sits down with Stephanie Jones, Membership Development Specialist at Gifted Travel Network, to unpack the two paths into the travel industry and what it takes to succeed. From her firsthand experience as both a booking member and now the person who
How This Busy Mom Built a Luxury Travel Business Designed for Busy Moms
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Christina Vieira of Showcase the World Travel. What began as a Disney-focused side hustle quickly grew into a thriving family travel business with a clear brand, strong systems, and a loyal client base. Christina shares how she built her business around busy moms, created a funnel that works, and turned marketin
Family, Trust, and a Decade of Creating VIP Travel Experiences
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Tammy and Justin Murphy, the mother–son duo behind VIP Travel Experience. Over the past decade, they’ve built a thriving, referral-based luxury travel business rooted in trust, creativity, and shared passion. What started as Tammy taking over a small agency from her brother has evolved into a multi-million-dolla
ASTA Unpacked: Advocacy, Education & Elevation for Travel Advisors featuring Zane Kerby
Behind every travel advisor’s success is an organization fighting for the profession. Meredith chats with ASTA President & CEO, Zane Kerby, about why ASTA matters, how it’s protecting advisors at every level, and the real stories of wins that keep this industry thriving.Learn more: https://www.asta.org/
40 Ships and Counting: How Celeste Became "The Cruise Matchmaker"
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Travel MBA alum, longtime GTN mentor, and cruise expert, Celeste Auger Munshi of Indulgent Voyages. In this episode, Celeste shares how she moved from corporate structure to entrepreneurship, why cruises are one of the most versatile and lucrative products for advisors to sell, and how she has built a successful
How Stacey and Fred Baker Built their Travel Business On Purpose, With Purpose
What happens when you blend a deep love for travel, a calling for community, and a background in ministry? This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Stacey and Fred Baker of Dogwood Travel Designs. In this episode, you’ll hear how the Bakers went from Disney family vacations to full-time travel entrepreneurship, carving out a niche in luxury faith-based
From Burnout to Brilliant Escapes: Erin's "Dive" Into Luxury Travel
This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Erin Camin of Brilliant Escapes. After a decade in the New York ad world, Erin Camin took a six-month sabbatical that turned into ten months of slow travel and soul searching, ultimately leading her to build her own boutique travel business. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from burnout to business owner
From IT to IT-ineraries: Alex's Strategic Shift into Luxury Travel
After 30 years in IT, Alex Worlow made a bold career pivot into luxury travel -and never looked back. In this episode, he shares how a foundation in business helped him build a travel company with staying power, why support and mentorship were critical to his growth, and how shifting his mindset transformed his client base and revenue. We explore: - Why the right host agency can accelerate your su
Motherhood, Mindset, and Mer Bleue: A Journey into Purposeful Travel Design
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Dianna Hetzel, founder of Mer Bleue Travel, to explore how a former educator and mom turned her love for healing travel into a luxury brand rooted in purpose.Dianna shares how a deeply personal trip helped her process grief, how travel shaped her children into globally-minded changemakers, and how launchin
Tracy Husted’s Intentional Journey From Educator to Entrepreneur
Host Meredith Calloway welcomes Tracy Husted of Legacy Travel Designs for a heartfelt conversation about building a travel business with intention. Tracy shares how she balanced part-time teaching with co-founding a successful agency, why she finally resigned from a 30-year education career, and how her grandmother’s legacy continues to shape her vision. Whether you’re side-hustling or standing at
Designing a Life You Love-Erica Davies on Building The Well Traveled Soul
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Erica Davies, founder of The Well Traveled Soul, to explore her journey from corporate life to luxury travel entrepreneurship. Erica shares how becoming a mother shaped her professional path, why branding with heart is non-negotiable, and how honoring her father’s passion for travel gave her business its s
Mastering the Art of Travel Advising: Insights from the CEO of Virtuoso
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Matthew Upchurch, CEO and Chairman of Virtuoso, to explore the evolving world of luxury travel. Matthew shares his insights on what it means to truly deliver value as a trusted travel advisor, why now is the perfect time to lean into selling luxury, and how human connection remains the ultimate differentia
Inside the Industry: Lisa Fletcher on Coaching, Community, and Growth
In this heartwarming and wisdom-filled episode, Meredith Calloway sits down with GTN's beloved Lisa Fletcher — affectionately known as “Mama Bear” — to unpack her incredible journey through the travel industry.From her early days in medical technology to a life-changing trip to Hawaii that ignited her career in travel, Lisa shares how she followed her intuition, built a thriving business, and
How a Legal Career Led to Planning Luxury Travel Around the World
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith Calloway sits down with Kerry Mooneyham of Midwest Travel Solutions to explore her unique journey from a 25-year career as a litigation paralegal to becoming a successful travel advisor. Kerry shares the pivotal moments that led her to turn her passion for travel into a thriving business, the importance of continuing travel education,
From Teacher to Travel CEO: How Bryant Wood Built The Travel Boutique
From classroom to concierge—Bryant Wood’s journey into the travel industry is anything but traditional. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of The Travel Boutique to explore how she made the leap from teaching and direct sales to launching a thriving luxury travel business that blends flexibility, personal growth, and deep client connection.Bryant opens up about what it really took to sh
Love, Luxury, & Logistics: How Cathy Built a Career from her Passion For Travel
What do doll sculpting, million-dollar sales, and helicopter landings on glaciers have in common? Cathy Rowland. In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Cathy, the powerhouse behind Amore Travel Design, to unpack her incredible journey from running a doll-making business to becoming a top-producing luxury travel advisor generating over $3 millio
The B Luxe Blueprint: Business, Balance & Branding
In this inspiring episode of Travel Business Unpacked, we sit down with Brittani Robertson, the powerhouse behind B Luxe Escapes. From growing up in a military family to raising four young kids and building a beautifully branded travel business, Brittani shares how she’s carved out a fulfilling career that blends passion, purpose, and plenty of planning.She opens up about how her early travel expe
Guides, Gurus, & Game-Changers: A Tribute to the Travel Advisor Profession
In this special episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with GTN’s Director of Engagement, Shannon Cunningham, to celebrate the heart and soul of the industry: the travel advisor. As we kick off Travel Advisor Appreciation Week, Meredith and Shannon unpack what it really means to be a travel advisor—not just an agent, but a designer, project manager, and relationship
Why Every Travel Advisor Needs a Mentor (Even at 7 Figures)
In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith sits down with the powerhouse duo behind Travel Business University—Amy Pearson-Jensen and Amy Kaufman Relihan. Together, they unpack what it really takes to go from aspiring travel advisor to successful entrepreneur. From navigating fear to scaling a six-figure business, they share real stories, breakthroughs, and the importance of coaching, c
Luxury, Curated: Robin Hutson’s Journey as a Magazine Publisher and Travel Advisor
What does it really take to succeed in luxury travel? In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Callaway sits down with Robin Hutson — luxury travel advisor, publisher of Luxe Recess, and lifelong hotel obsessive — for an unfiltered conversation about building a thriving business rooted in trust, emotional intelligence, and expertise.Robin shares how she transitioned from publishi
Unfiltered & Unstoppable: How “SGG” Became GTN’s #1 Top Producer for 2024
In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, Meredith sits down with Stephanie Goldberg Glazer—aka SGG—the 2024 #1 Top Producer at Gifted Travel Network. From her early days as a "travel hobbyist" to building a thriving business (and bringing her husband into it), Stephanie shares her candid story, the turning points that changed everything, and her biggest mindset shift that led to majo
Work Smarter, Not Harder - Travel Tech Every Advisor Needs in 2025
In this episode of Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Callaway is joined by tech-savvy Sandy Saburn, Chief Communications Officer at Gifted Travel Network, to break down the travel advisor’s evolving tech stack. From client management tools and itinerary builders to AI-powered automation and workflow magic—this is your roadmap to running a smarter, more profitable travel business in 2025.Read
Wall Street to the World - How Stuart Marra Built a Luxury Travel Empire
In this inspiring episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Stuart Marra, founder of The Opulent Explorer, who made a bold leap from Wall Street to wanderlust. Stuart shares how he went from a high-stakes career in equity derivatives to building a multi-million dollar luxury travel business—starting from scratch.They unpack everything from navigating major life
From Budget Traveler to Luxury Expert-Anna Harrison’s Mindset Shift
In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Anna Harrison of Travel Observations to discuss her incredible journey from international service work to becoming a top-producing luxury travel advisor.Anna shares how she transitioned from a side hustle in travel to running a full-time, highly profitable business while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship
Prescribing Luxury: How an Oncologist Built a Multi-Million Dollar Travel Business
In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked, host Meredith Calloway sits down with MJ Markham of M Markham Travel to discuss her remarkable transition from oncologist to top-producing travel entrepreneur. MJ shares how her deep love for travel became a lifeline in her demanding medical career and how she skyrocketed to over $1 million in sales within her first year. She opens up about the chal
Recommended
پلی لیست | PlayList
Conspiracy Files with Paige Carter
Bad Friends
Learn 50 English Phrases While You Sleep | Everyday English Phrases & Vocabulary
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Dateline NBC
Back to the 80s Radio
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Bible Tea
این نقطه
TED Business
Dark Night Tales with Brian King
