Imagine working in a new city every month. Whether working in a breezy café in San Francisco, strolling over Boston’s cobblestone streets or grabbing some fresh-caught seafood on your lunch break in Key West, the world is at your fingertips when you start your own travel business.
There’s no doubt that owning a travel agency is one of the best careers for traveling the world. Being able to work from anywhere is great, especially when you set your own hours, but the experience is truly elevated when you also travel for work, for research and for experience. This is one of the best ways to blend personal growth and professional development, connecting you to destinations across the globe as you go.
While many dream of building a business that allows them to put stamps in their passport, Kim Henderson has been doing just that since 2024. Here, she shares her experience as part of the Dream Vacations family as well as why starting small can be key to growing in a way that makes sense for you.
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Sharing in the Joy of Travel
Hailing from Naperville, Illinois, Henderson stepped into Franchise Ownership in 2024, making the leap into owning a travel business after her experience living overseas in England.
“Traveling pretty much became who I was and what I enjoyed doing while I was there,” she says of her four-year international chapter. “I was able to travel the world extensively, seeing different places, going from where I lived in London to Spain – going from there to Paris, Morocco, all these really cool places.”
When seeking out career options for travel lovers, Henderson sought an experience that would allow her to share her passion with others.
“I wanted to start giving back to other people and showing them that love and allowing them to be able to explore the world as I had,” she explains. “I … feel like I live a little bit vicariously through everyone when they travel, because I get to see the world through their eyes and also get to see their joy.”
Meeting others with a similar passion has also been crucial for the enjoyment of her new career, with Henderson citing the relationships she has developed with other Franchise Owners as one of her favorite things about working within Dream Vacations.
“Travel agents are super fun,” she says. “I mean, how can you not be fun? You get to travel the world. You get to help people see the world. I think that we have an inner joy that we’re trying to give back to other people, and having like-minded people [around] just makes me so happy.”
As she works to inspire her clients, she is also inspiring her children along the way.
“My daughters are more adventurous because they see me traveling,” Henderson says. “I have one who traveled for four months throughout the entire world.”
Start Small, Dream Big
For travel enthusiasts, one of the greatest things about being a Dream Vacations Franchise Owner is the travel itself. From the annual National Conference, held at sea, to destination-based training events or niche travel summits, you are easily able to travel for your franchise. But there are even more benefits that business owners will enjoy as well.
Having the freedom to tailor everything to your needs, your life and your schedule is a crucial component for many. You can decide when and where you work, giving you the opportunity to be there for your family, wander the world or remain dedicated to other jobs and responsibilities as needed. Start small, but dream big, and scale your business in a way that works for you.
There are many careers in the travel industry, but Dream Vacations truly offers something special. Its stellar reputation and well-connected group of Franchise Owners, support staff, suppliers and caring leaders ensures that you’re never alone.
“Having the support of the suppliers, I feel more confident because I feel like my suppliers will tell me exactly what I’m able to do and I’m able to share that with my clients,” Henderson notes.
Ask questions, continue to learn and utilize the resources available to you to build something you’re proud of.
Embark on a Flexible Path to Business Ownership Today
As Kim – and our many other Franchise Owners – will tell you, there are extensive benefits of owning a travel agency. With Dream Vacations, you’ll enjoy levels of flexibility and freedom that aren’t found in other industries. While making your own schedule and working from anywhere is enticing, the true appeal lies in being able to embrace travel as a part of daily life, whether jet-setting for training opportunities or simply to take advantage of the ability to do so.
This is a business opportunity designed to meet you where you are and help you grow from there, giving you the chance to dedicate however much time you’d like. Whether you start small and scale up as you go or jump in full time, becoming a travel agency owner is one of the best careers for traveling the world. And with Dream Vacations’ proven track record and established resources, taking the first steps into business ownership can be easier than ever.
Get in touch with the Dream Vacations team today to get started on your journey into franchise ownership.
