Many people spend their entire career searching for a job that is both financially and personally fulfilling. They want to find something they love; something that doesn’t really feel like work.

After working long hours at IBM as at IT specialist, KHM Travel Agent Glenda Ruiz decided that if she was going to be working 24/7, she wanted it to be fun.

That led her to start her Texas-based travel agency, GTR Vacations, in 2011. A very detail-oriented person Glenda took the time to research and familiarize herself with each destination as a new agent.

“My expertise in manipulating mass volumes of data as an IT specialist, lent itself to easily searching countless websites for the best possible deal for my clients,” Glenda says.

In fact, she continues to Google each of her clients’ destinations and take the time to read all the reviews and comments.

With nearly three years at our Pinnacle Elite level, Glenda understands exactly what it takes to build her clientele. On top of promoting herself through Facebook and Google, she’s also a member of her local chamber of commerce, the Business Network Chapter of BNI, and Program Director for the Waco chatper of NAFE (National Association of Female Executives).

Glenda’s success is as much about building relationships as it is about networking. She considers herself her clients’ personal advocate, rather than simply a means to book travel.

“Be committed to creating lasting relationships with your clients by maintaining rigorous standards of integrity, professionalism and trust,” she advises.

For example, she delivers boarding passes, lanyards, ID holders and all trips documents to each of her cruise clients. For her international travelers, she provides neck wallets for passports, detailed itineraries and airport layouts so that clients can easily navigate.

She also urges new agents to determine their clients’ wants and needs before making any assumptions or recommendations.

“Listen to your clients,” says Glenda. “Only share your experiences if you are asked. They want you to focus on them.”

Glenda’s hard work has paid off in terms of sales, but her business is driven by customer service, rather than the commission. Her favorite part of the job is when clients call her upon returning from their vacation to tell her what a wonderful time they had.

“Make it about customer service and about giving your customer the trip of a lifetime,” Glenda adds. “Remember you are not the only travel agent.”

Congratulations to Glenda on her continued success, and we thank you for sharing your experience with our family of agents!

Start your home-based travel agency with KHM Travel Group, and you’ll have access to all the resources you need to reach your business goals — including the expertise of our network of travel agents!

Fill out the form on the right or call 1-888-611-1220 to receive our free information packet with everything you need to know about becoming a travel agent.