Dream Vacations honors female franchisee with OPAL Award for leadership and community service Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (March 6, 2020) – For the eighth year in a row, leading home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations celebrates Women’s History Month in March by honoring a female franchise owner with the OPAL Award for Women. The company has named Dream Vacations Franchisee Karen Quinn-Panzer of Milford, Conn. the 2020 recipient of this prestigious award. The OPAL Award recognizes a female franchise owner who demonstrates Outstanding Performance And Leadership. The honorees
Betty and Bob bought their travel agency March 5, 1995 after learning about travel franchise opportunities at a franchise trade show. They were seeking a business they could build up as a retirement investment. They wanted something that could be theirs and they loved travel, especially cruising, so it seemed like the perfect fit. They intended to run the franchise part-time until they built it up enough for Betty to give up her day job as a traffic coordinator for a distribution center, but she gave her
Franchise Gator has recently released its annual Top 100 Franchise list, and named leading travel agency franchise Dream Vacations as a Top 100 franchise. This is the 7th annual Top 100 list the online franchise directory has released. It was developed to assist prospective franchisees in their search for a franchise opportunity to invest in. The list focuses on company growth, financial stability, experience, and several other criteria, all in an effort to help the average franchise buyer identify minimal risk potential. The list is also meant
New role oversees sales and support services Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (January 23, 2020) – Dream Vacations has 20/20 vision going into the New Year with a laser focus on increasing agent profitability through enhanced support of its home-based travel agents. The leading travel agency businesses announce that travel industry veteran Dawn Gillis has been announced as Director of Network Sales & Support. Gillis will oversee business development, group sales and support services. Aligning these teams under one leader will allow for increased collaboration and create an even
Five #GetOnDeck cruisers and their guests will win dinner with the Captain and Chief Stew in a specialty restaurant, courtesy of Dream Vacations Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (January 21, 2020) – Reality TV fans will get unparalleled access to Captain Lee Rosbach and Kate Chastain during the #GetOnDeck Cruise to the Western Caribbean aboard Celebrity Equinox the week of June 14, 2020, and they now have the opportunity for an intimate dining experience with the reality TV stars. Dream Vacations announced today that five cruisers on the #GetOnDeck
Starting a franchise business can be a great investment. You get all of the benefits of being a business owner, but with less risk that most entrepreneurs have to deal with. You already know that the business model can be successful because other franchised locations are, and your only job is to run the business. Owning a franchise is a way for you to make sure that your money is working for you and becoming a profitable investment. While owning a franchise is a great choice
The entrepreneurial mindset is alive and kicking in the US, with one in four Americans running a side business. Today’s freelance economy makes it easier than ever to do something on the side, from making jewelry to freelance graphic design to working as a travel agent. And, with 69% of entrepreneurs starting their businesses at home, your kitchen table is a great place to kick off a fun side hustle that can also bring in some extra money. A home-based franchise may be the opportunity you’ve been
Veronica Persaud has been a travel agency franchise owner since 2017 and has never looked back, growing her business every year due to referrals from past clients. She shares her top three tips for new franchise owners. What team at HQ has contributed most to your growth and why? I love the Support Services team because it feels like they are always there when I need them! Imagine speaking with a client and having access to the chat line at the same time to ask questions –
Husband and wife duo Alexander and Annabelle Valdes took their relationship to the next level when they decided to open a travel agency franchise, combining the skills from their previous careers to manage their business. While both share the load when interacting with clients, Alex usually focuses on the marketing and operations side while Annabelle focuses on the vacation planning side. A Navy Veteran who was stationed on the USS New Orleans and made two overseas deployments, Alex worked as a Senior Director of Sales Operations for
After 30 years on the Police Force and always coordinating group cruises for friends and family, Bryan Villella decided he could plan vacations himself for profit. He started his travel agency business part-time while still employed at the Sheriff’s Office. He eventually was able to retire at 49 with a pension and higher income as a travel agent than in his previously dangerous career. From wearing a badge and carrying a gun as a police officer, to wearing a backpack and carrying a passport, Bryan saw the
