Take the Helm Business Solutions

"Your money knows the truth about whether you're running a business or treating it like a hobby." Stephanie Cannon, CPA, MBA of With Stephanie Cannon is delivering the financial leadership framework that separates successful travel advisors from those perpetually struggling with cash flow. Hobbies react to financial circumstances. Businesses lead them. -Claim responsibility for financial leadership rather than delegating to accountants who aren't making daily business decisions -Focus on forward-looking indicators instead of only tracking historical data for tax compliance -Own the financial outcomes by creating systems that support long-term goals, not just immediate needs Financial leadership isn't about loving numbers, but about creating the systematic foundation that supports your vision for the business and life you want to build. Make sure you're registered at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q to tune into the full session! #TravelIndustry #FinancialLeadership #BusinessStrategy #CashFlow #TravelAdvisor #CFOMindset #PrepForWaveWeek

"Organic social media is hope and pray marketing" and we're going to share the local marketing strategies that actually generate clients. Grace Van Hollebeke of Tern is outlining why most travel advisor marketing fails... lack of strategic focus and consistent execution targeting the wrong audience through ineffective channels. The local market penetration strategy- -Data-driven prospecting: Tools like Apollo enable precise demographic targeting including CEOs, high earners, specific job titles within geographic regions -Consistent touchpoint campaigns: Monthly direct mail to the same 500-1000 qualified prospects for 6+ months, not random one-off attempts -Strategic business partnerships: Collaborate with luxury service providers (automotive dealers, aesthetic clinics, upscale salons) whose clientele demonstrates disposable income spending patterns Taking a page from Tern- Tern's FB group became their strongest business driver before they had customers. It started as product feedback collection, and evolved into a 24/7 support hub and early access announcement channel. The key is providing value before asking for anything. This is another packed conversation at Prep for Wave Week that you simply can't afford to miss. Be sure to save your spot at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q. #TravelIndustry #LocalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #TravelAdvisor #BusinessStrategy #CustomerAcquisition #PrepForWaveWeek

"Your job is on the line." This is the travel industry disruption that 60% of advisors won't survive. Angela Hughes of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is sharing an unflinching assessment of travel industry trends that separates survival strategies from wishful thinking. Three things to keep in mind: -Booking patterns: There's a return to last-minute reservations as clients navigate economic volatility, portfolio uncertainty, and currency fluctuations -Luxury market pivot: Even high-spend clients ($500k annually) are switching from premium options to value alternatives when pricing feels extractive -Transformational demand: Purpose-driven travel is replacing traditional sightseeing, particularly among women 50+ seeking soul-changing experiences Monitor luxury consumer behavior across non-travel sectors (automotive, fashion, technology) to predict travel demand shifts. Infrastructure investment patterns reveal emerging destinations before they reach mainstream awareness. Drawing parallels to internet adoption in the 1990s, Hughes predicts fundamental industry transformation within 24 months. The middle market will achieve DIY proficiency through AI tools, eliminating transactional advisory services. Human intelligence remains the differentiator in an automated landscape. Define your high-value market segment now, or face obsolescence as AI democratizes basic travel planning capabilities. You won't watch to miss this session, so be sure you're registered for Prep for Wave Week at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q. #TravelIndustry #LuxuryTravel #AIDisruption #TravelTrends #BusinessStrategy #TravelAdvisor #PrepForWaveWeek

"Lead with curiosity, not credentials." Whitney Shindelar of The Hive is outlining why most travel advisors struggle with consultations. They're talking when they should be listening, and asking the wrong questions at the wrong time. -Curiosity-first framework: Spend 20-30 minutes understanding the client before explaining your services. -Strategic question sequencing: Budget discussions happen last, packaged with service explanations rather than leading with "how much do you want to spend?" which creates transactional energy. -Psychographic over demographic: Understanding whether someone is a "museum person" or "boat person" matters more than their age or income. These insights drive destination and experience recommendations. Anyone can book hotels and flights. The value lies in consultative expertise that matches experiences to personality and lifestyle...something AI cannot replicate. Ready to dive in? Then you've gotta be registered for Prep for Wave Week: https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q #TravelIndustry #ClientConsultation #SalesStrategy #TravelAdvisor #ServiceBusiness #CustomerExperience #PrepForWaveWeek

"Business requires sales, or you don't have a business." 🏖 Michelle DeNio of Michelle DeNio Consulting just addressed the sales avoidance that's killing travel advisor revenue, and the mindset shifts that actually work in today's economy. The market reality: Consumers have become more discerning after being "burned" by poor ROI investments. The buying decision process is longer, but they're not looking for cheaper. They're seeking support and personalized service that AI cannot replicate. Clients hire you because they don't want to research, plan, or think about the details. You're providing speed, expertise, and the "express lane" to their travel goals. In a world of automated everything, personalized human service becomes the differentiator that commands premium pricing and client loyalty. Ready to get in the right mindset to boost your sales for 2026?? Then be sure to register for Prep for Wave Week: https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q #TravelIndustry #SalesStrategy #ClientAcquisition #TravelAdvisor #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusiness #PrepForWaveWeek

"Diversify your income streams" isn't just business advice for travel advisors...it's survival strategy. Natasha A. Terrell, MTHM is spilling all the beans on a revenue ecosystem that generates income even during travel industry downturns, proving why single-stream dependency is risky business. Her four-bucket revenue model- -Membership community -Affiliate marketing integration -Digital travel guides -Traditional advisory services Each revenue stream serves different client readiness levels while building trust and authority. Someone purchasing a travel guide today becomes tomorrow's full-service client. For an industry subject to economic sensitivity and seasonal fluctuations, diversified monetization isn't optional growth strategy, but foundational business architecture. Watch the full conversation at Prep for Wave Week next week! Be sure to save your spot at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q. #TravelIndustry #RevenueStreams #BusinessStrategy #TravelAdvisor #Monetization #PassiveIncome #PrepForWaveWeek

The travel industry's fastest-growing opportunity is hiding in plain sight: group cruises with proper marketing infrastructure. Becky Lopez DaCosta at Travefy is outlining why most travel advisors are missing massive revenue potential in group cruise sales, and it's not about finding clients, it's about systems. Here's how they work- -Foundation infrastructure: Each group cruise needs a dedicated landing page (central information hub), private Facebook community (influence engine), and CRM integration (lead nurturing system) -Lead magnetization: Transform generic offers into expertise-based value - "family cruise survival guide from 5 years of client experience" converts better than "free packing list" -Conversion automation: Four-email sequence that paints experiences, highlights destinations, presents booking incentives, then creates urgency Group cruises generate higher profit margins while creating repeat customer relationships (82% of past cruisers will cruise again). It's sustainable revenue growth through community building rather than constant new client acquisition. For advisors looking to scale beyond individual bookings, group cruises represent systematizable revenue with built-in referral mechanisms. Listen to Becky's full presentation at Prep for Wave Week next week :) Register at this link: https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q #TravelIndustry #GroupCruises #CruiseMarketing #TravelAdvisor #BusinessStrategy #CustomerAcquisition #PrepForWaveWeek

"You have to market for the client who values service, not the client who needs convincing." Belvin Baldwin II of Showtime Travel is chatting about the challenges in luxury travel marketing that break through the assumptions about who luxury clients actually are and how to reach them. Luxury travelers aren't necessarily wealthy. They're people who prioritize exclusive experiences and are willing to plan and save for them. They already understand the value of outsourcing and time-saving services. Belvin's three-pillar luxury definition: -Exclusivity: private experiences away from mass tourism -Customization: itineraries built around individual goals and preferences -High quality: premium standards from accommodations to thread count We also chat on networking in professional environments and using LinkedIn Newsletters for authority building. For an industry where many advisors struggle to move upmarket, Belvin's approach demonstrates how positioning and messaging create the client experience you're seeking to deliver. Watch his full session at Prep for Wave Week next week. Save your spot at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q #TravelIndustry #LuxuryTravel #ClientAcquisition #NetworkingStrategy #PremiumClients #TravelAdvisor #PrepForWaveWeek

Your content marketing problem isn't volume. It's that you sound like everyone else using the same AI prompts. Nikita France of Travelpreneur Inc is delivering a masterclass on magnetic content creation that exposes why most travel advisor marketing fails to convert despite consistent posting. The core issue- We've replaced 2019's copy-paste supplier content with 2025's copy-paste AI content, which are both equally generic and ineffective. Here's how to set yourself apart: -Anchor your promises with proof: "I plan stress-free honeymoons" means nothing. "Last month I rescued a couple from endless browser tabs and got them booked into a Tuscan villa with private wine tours" builds credibility. -Focus on pain points, not features: Premium clients don't need trip booking. They need clarity, time savings, and peace of mind. Address what frustrates them about travel planning. -Sell outcomes, not transactions: Instead of "I book Caribbean family trips," paint the picture- "Busy mama, picture yourself poolside with a mojito while kids are at the club, finally reading that book gathering dust on your nightstand." Marketing to convince skeptics is less effective than marketing to attract ideal clients who already value expertise. Stop explaining why people should use travel advisors. Demonstrate your value through specific client stories and results. For an industry where trust drives transactions, generic content is invisible content. Magnetic content positions you as the obvious choice when prospects are ready to book. To learn more, be sure to tune into Nikita's session next week at Prep for Wave Week. Save your spot at https://lnkd.in/g6pj443Q. #TravelIndustry #ContentStrategy #MarketingStrategy #TravelAdvisor #ContentCreation #CustomerAcquisition #PrepForWaveWeek

Stop scrolling through the same booking platforms looking for tour operators! There's a whole world of incredible experience creators you're missing :) I had a wonderful conversation with Mitch Bach from Tourpreneur Travel Business Community about why the lines between travel advisors and tour operators are blurring faster than we can keep up. We're talking about finding those hidden gem operators who create the kinds of unique experiences your clients actually want, but you'll never discover them on the major platforms. Here's what we chatted on: -The messy reality of DMCs vs receptive vs outbound operators (spoiler: even the experts are confused by the terminology) -Why the best operators often avoid booking platforms entirely, and the real homework you need to do before reaching out to any operator. -Plus, we tackled the sticky stuff around insurance, payments, and building the kind of trust that turns one-time bookings into lasting partnerships. If you've ever felt frustrated trying to find operators who can deliver truly custom experiences, or if you're ready to move beyond the same old platforms everyone else is using, this conversation will change how you think about building your operator network. Listen wherever you get your podcasts and let me know... what's your biggest challenge when it comes to working with tour operators? #TravelAdvisor #TourOperators #TravelIndustry #TravelPartners