Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Katie Lynn Reynolds, an independent advisor at Travelmation who is based in Sylvania, Ohio.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I was booking theme park vacations through a friend who is a travel advisor, and that was my start! My best friend and husband said, “Why don’t you try this?” I looked at a handful of agencies, thinking they were all the same. I decided on one I had previously booked with, thinking I wanted to eventually learn more about the industry and not just the Florida theme parks. I jumped right in as a social extrovert and soon built my following.
How did you build your business over the years?
As a big people person, it truly came naturally. I was pursuing my master’s degree in marketing at the time, and decided this could be a real-life marketing route for me that wouldn’t require a degree. I started with theme parks and quickly jumped into the resorts’ world. I have now been to dozens upon dozens of resorts, spending my travel paycheck right back into my business. I would say that referrals kicked off my success, and I owe my business to my phenomenal circle and the power of social media.
What characteristics makes you a successful advisor?
I try to know everything I can about a destination, resort brand or cruise ship. I want to guide my clients [to the vacations that match their interests and provide the best] bang for their buck. For example, clients that are beach people would not enjoy some sections of Riviera Maya in Mexico, and it’s important to know specific characteristics when qualifying clients. In addition, having experience personally vetting resorts and cruise ships [provides] some legitimacy behind your reasoning when qualifying clients.
What have your greatest challenges been?
When cruise lines have issues, or clients dislike the choices they made, those are my biggest challenges – and [then] having those hard conversations that I can’t do much about!
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
Being accepted to Future Leaders in 2022, then attending/being accepted to GTM West in 2023, as well as being asked to serve on two advisory boards for two of my favorite brands.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Take it one thing at a time and admit to clients if you don’t know something – we cannot and will never know it all. Lean on your industry contacts, especially Facebook groups. We all start somewhere and we have to learn what we don't know. Take advantage of travel advisor rates and fam trips to immerse yourself in a new destination, cruise or resort brand. The more knowledge you have, the better!
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