129. Why Letting Go Might Be The Smartest Growth Move You Make with Lindsey Epperly
Ever feel like your business can’t grow unless you’re in control of everything? Think again! Lindsey Epperly, Founder and Chairwoman of Jetset World Travel, shares how stepping back can actually unlock your next level of success and why letting go is a power move, not a setback. From starting in the travel industry at 19 to building a multimillion dollar company and eventually stepping down as CEO, Lindsey’s journey is full of lessons on growth, leadership, and evolution. She dives into the mindset shifts required to scale, including recognizing when fresh leadership is needed and how to navigate imposter syndrome as you transition from founder to visionary. If you’re growing, pivoting, or reevaluating your role, this conversation is your reminder that sometimes the smartest move is stepping back so your business can leap forward.
Connect with Lindsey Epperly:
jetsetworldtravel.com
Who Made You the Boss?
o-nr.org
Today we will cover:
(03:50) Lindsey’s journey from teen travel advisor to entrepreneur
(11:25) The mindset shift needed when going from solo operator to team leader
(15:00) The power of mentorship and defining your owner’s intent
(19:30) How Lindsey acquired Jetset World Travel
(22:20) Finding inspiration in your industry and building a network
(29:45) Navigating Imposter syndrome during major transitions
(39:30) What it really means to be a CEO
(44:35) Stepping away from the CEO role and embracing new opportunities
JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY
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Create an enjoyable booking experience for every one of your travel clients.
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Self-paced style courses for the modern travel advisor.
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49:58
128. The Parallels Between Project Management & Travel Advising with Cara Donleavy
What do construction sites and luxury vacations have in common? A lot more than you’d think! This episode explores the parallels between project management and travel advising with Curated by Cara founder and Travel + Leisure Rising Star, Cara Donleavy. Cara shares how her background managing multi-million dollar construction sites laid the foundation for her booming luxury travel business. From timelines and budgeting to risk management and client communication, she brings a project-based mindset to every itinerary she creates, ensuring each trip runs as seamlessly behind the scenes as it feels to her clients. Hear how she transitioned from part-time to full-time advisor, the systems and tools that keep her business running smoothly, and how she approaches budgeting, boundaries, and scaling with intention. Press play to learn why every trip deserves a project plan, and how that mindset can take your business to the next level!
About Cara Donleavy:
Cara is the founder and proud owner of Curated By Cara, a luxury travel company specializing in bespoke itinerary design. Since launching her business in 2022, she has been dedicated to crafting unforgettable experiences tailored to each traveler’s unique style and preferences. Based in Boston, MA, Cara works with families, couples, and groups to curate dream vacations that are seamless, inspiring, and stress-free. At Curated By Cara, the mission is simple: take the stress out of travel planning and replace it with pure excitement. The team handles all the details—research, booking, and beyond—specializing in luxury accommodations and thoughtfully curated experiences you won’t find just anywhere.
curatedbycaratravel.com
@curatedbycaratravel
Today we will cover:
(04:30) How project management laid the groundwork for a travel business
(07:20) Applying timelines, budgets, and structure to luxury itineraries
(19:40) Risk management in travel; planning for the unexpected
(21:15) Cara’s client communication process
(28:25) Handling client pushback and setting expectations
(33:50) Attracting and working with high-profile clients
(36:10) Implementing boundaries
(40:25) Recommended tools: CRMs, branding, and automation that support growth
(42:45) Growing your team and building a scalable business
(46:40) Balancing creativity and processes
JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY
An interactive membership for travel advisors wanting the community, education, & support to grow their business.
VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP
Create an enjoyable booking experience for every one of your travel clients.
EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS
Self-paced style courses for the modern travel advisor.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ
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52:43
127. How Niching Down Can Actually Increase Your Profit with Lori Gold
→ Sun & Sand Client Communication Templates: Your go-to workflow for smooth, stress-free beach and all-inclusive bookings.
Ever feel like you’re trying to be everything to everyone? In this episode, Lori Gold from Explore More Mexico explains why niching down might just be the best thing you can do for your travel business. Lori’s story starts with a free trip to Mexico and ends with her building a thriving, passion-fueled career as a Riviera Maya expert. She shares how focusing on one destination has made her work easier, more profitable, and way more fulfilling. Learn about the power of firsthand experience, how to market yourself as a true specialist, and why simplifying your services can actually help you stand out and serve your clients better. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth picking a lane and going all in, this is your sign! Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at how specialization can take your travel business to the next level (with a lot less stress along the way).
About Lori Gold:
Lori has spent the past 16 years planning travel for her clients, with over 8 of those years living in the Mexican Caribbean. Her deep-rooted passion for the region has naturally evolved into a commitment to education—sharing her knowledge with fellow travel advisors to help them better understand and sell this destination with confidence. She spends her time exploring every corner of the Mexican Caribbean, from hidden gems to well-known resorts, participating in tours, and getting to know the destination inside and out. Through this hands-on experience, Lori has developed a suite of accessible resources and engaging classes designed specifically for travel advisors. She knows that a well-informed advisor has the power to elevate a client’s experience—and she’s on a mission to make that possible for as many advisors as she can.
Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/theresortsoftherivieramaya
Mexperts: exploremoremexico.com/mexperts-membership
Mexican Caribbean 101:
exploremoremexico.com/offers/T7WSDFks/checkout
exploremoremexico.com/offers/MP3KunVM/checkout
Today we will cover:
(02:20) A free trip that changed everything; specializing in riviera maya
(09:40) Why specializing makes your life so much easier
(17:05) Getting first-hand experience; resort visits, excursions & local know-how
(25:15) The Mexperts community and resources for advisors
(30:10) Streamlining with custom workflows to ensure efficiency
(33:05) Establishing trust through deep destination expertise
(40:10) Tips for niching down and growing your travel business
DEFINING YOUR DREAM CLIENT GUIDE
A free workbook designed to help travel advisors define, attract, and convert more of your dream clients!
JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY
An interactive membership for travel advisors wanting the community, education, & support to grow their business.
VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP
Create an enjoyable booking experience for every one of your travel clients.
EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS
Self-paced style courses for the modern travel advisor.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ
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48:03
126. What Your Brand Colors Are Saying To Your Potential Clients with Amandolin Webb
Colors do more for your brand than just look pretty. Amandolin Webb of Smeuse Studio dives into the psychology of color and how it plays a major role in creating emotional connections, influencing perception, and building trust with your ideal audience. You’ll learn what different colors say about your brand, how to build a cohesive palette that aligns with your business goals, and the biggest mistakes to avoid when choosing your colors. Whether you're picking a palette for the first time or refreshing your brand visuals, this conversation will help you make intentional, strategic choices that leave a lasting impression. From choosing your anchor and accent colors to understanding what color actually signals to your audience, Amandolin breaks it all down in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to apply!
About Amandolin Webb:
Amandolin is the founder of Smeuse Studio, a boutique branding and web design studio helping travel advisors and creative entrepreneurs show up with clarity, confidence, and style. Formerly the Creative Director at Tique, she now brings over a decade of design experience into her signature semi-custom and custom services—making high-end branding feel streamlined, strategic, and actually enjoyable. Think of her as your design-savvy big sister—here to cut through the chaos and help build an online presence you’re proud of.
smeusestudio.com
Today we will cover:
(04:45) Understanding color psychology
(11:25) The basics of color theory; complementary, analogous, and triadic palettes
(16:30) How to choose your brand’s anchor, supporting, and accent colors
(20:30) Aligning your color palette with your brand values and audience experience
(25:00) Mistakes to avoid when choosing brand colors
(28:35) Case studies in effective branding; Go With Gray Travel, Abby Away Travel, Your Travel Joy
(34:40) Current branding trends in the travel industry
Listen to Previous Episodes:
11. How To Define Your Dream Client & Why It's Important For Your Travel Brand with Amandolin Webb (Part 1)
12. Using Proper Branding To Attract Dream Clients with Amandolin Webb (Part 2)
16. The Importance Of Building An Authentic Brand with Amandolin Webb
DEFINING YOUR DREAM CLIENT GUIDE
A free workbook designed to help travel advisors define, attract, and convert more of your dream clients!
JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY
An interactive membership for travel advisors wanting the community, education, & support to grow their business.
VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP
Create an enjoyable booking experience for every one of your travel clients.
EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS
Self-paced style courses for the modern travel advisor.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ
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40:41
125. Why Your Workflows Need Personalization
A seamless client experience doesn’t happen by accident - it’s built with intention. Tique’s Workflow Manager, Ashlyn Puckett, shares why niche workflows are the key to delivering personalized journeys that impress at every step. From Disney vacations and destination weddings to luxury cruises, you’ll learn how to tailor your systems to different trip types, master strategic timing, and use touchpoints and feedback to build lasting trust. Ashlyn also breaks down how to balance automation with personal connection, avoid common workflow pitfalls, and audit your client experience to ensure every detail aligns with your goals. Whether you're refining your processes or starting fresh, this conversation will help you create workflows that feel effortless for you and your clients!
Listen Episode 115: How Buyer Psychology Is Changing (& What To Do About It)
Explore Tique’s Client Communication Templates.
Today we will cover:
(01:15) Understanding buyer psychology; how client expectations have shifted post-2020
(05:10) Utilizing niche workflows to create personalized, standout client experiences
(10:00) Client-type workflows vs destination-based workflows
(14:00) Quick workflow audit; how to check if your touchpoints align with your goals
(22:55) Tailoring workflows by trip type: Disney, destination weddings, cruises, and more
(30:30) New workflow addition at Tique: all-inclusive sun-and-sand getaways
(33:15) Common workflow mistakes to avoid
(37:30) Bloopers
JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY
An interactive membership for travel advisors wanting the community, education, & support to grow their business.
EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS
Self-paced style courses for the modern travel advisor.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ
Welcome to TIQUE Talks Podcast - a live-workshop style travel business podcast packed with actionable step-by-step tips that are helping hundreds of travel advisors redefine success, grow their bottom line, and find balance in their business. Join us, Florida-based business partners Robin Bradley and Jennifer Jacob, for value-packed, hilarious conversations and impactful interviews with other industry leaders.
With every episode, our mission is to empower you with information, expand what you think is possible for your travel business, and hopefully make you laugh along the way! We are honest, open, and above all, human. We are committed to learning right alongside of you so that we can all find more balance, joy, and peace while pursuing those big, scary business goals.
Whether you are brand new to the industry, have a side-hustle, or you are growing a travel booking empire, this is the show for you.
Join us for new episodes every Tuesday!
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