Rachel Stekson & Kevin Wonder, Franchise Owners since 2015, Philadelphia, PA

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to pursue my passions for art and travel. Previously, I owned an art advisory business in NYC. When Kevin and I relocated to Philadelphia, it dawned on me that my other great passion, travel, could offer a sustainable career that would provide me with the same opportunity to help people fulfill their dreams. Right off the bat, CruiseOne was a natural choice, since my family booked all of our vacations – by cruise and land – through our CruiseOne specialist. Still, purchasing a franchise is a big step, so I thoroughly researched all of my options. Flexibility was important, since initially I would still be working full time; simultaneously, I wanted something that could become a career, even while raising a family. I learned, as part of World Travel Holdings, CruiseOne has unparalleled relationships with suppliers, allowing franchisees to receive exclusive promotions and inside access. Ultimately, the support offered by the Fort Lauderdale team distinguishes CruiseOne from its competitors. The comprehensive training and opportunities for development, coupled with the level of support provided, never cease to amaze me. This is a relationship business – key to building strong relationships with your clients is having great relationships with your franchise family. The truest testament to that is Kevin joining my agency as a Partner for the launch of Dream Vacations. The National Conference blew him away: the content was robust and educational, the HQ staff and fellow franchisees were welcoming, and the experience was just plain fun. Before we even left, Kevin was eager to get onboard. Now, as we help others plan their Dream Vacations, we are realizing our shared dream of being business owners and discovering new places together (with great travel perks)!