Seasons Change, So Did I: A Travel Advisor’s Comeback
- Steph Miller
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
I have decided that life is always crazy. It definitely is. There are never enough minutes in the day. But I also believe timing matters–and sometimes, it’s okay to make adjustments or call an “audible”.
When I started as a travel advisor with three young kids at home, it was because I thought I would enjoy it. I was right–I loved it. What I didn’t expect was that my business would grow so quickly, just as my three kids began demanding more and more of my time.
Please understand: I wanted to spend that time with my kids. My family was, is, and always will be my priority. When my fun job started clashing with my even more important job–being a mom–I had to make a shift. So, I stepped away from being a travel advisor and took on various part-time roles, many of them connected to another passion of mine: swimming. All while guiding three kids through high school, celebrating two college graduations (one more to go!), and–oh yeah–beating breast cancer in my “free” time.
When that third kiddo left the house for college my husband and I took a 25th anniversary trip aka “our bucket list trip” to French Polynesia (and since we were down there, why not add New Zealand too?). It was magical. But when we got back, I found myself asking, What now? Cue the crickets. The house was rather quiet. Too quiet. Wanna watch TV? Meh, not really…
That’s when it clicked: maybe it’s time to come full circle back to the job that allowed the flexibility to work part time and travel. Travel has always been a part of our lives. We’ve cruised, gone to Disney, and after beating breast cancer, we took a meaningful return trip to Alaska as a family. Now, my oldest daughter has started venturing on her own vacations with friends–introducing them to the world of cruising she grew up loving.
And one day, it just hit me: BAM! Bringing adventure and memories to others is a pretty good gig. Sure, there are a million ways to book travel these days. I also know there are plenty of people who still appreciate honest advice from someone who’s been there, done that, trained extensively, books trips all the time—and doesn’t charge a fee because the suppliers cover it. I genuinely enjoy the learning, the planning, and most of all, sharing what I’ve learned to make someone else’s trip better.
So, what will I do differently this time around? I’m going to slow down a little more. I’m going to take time to appreciate more of those smiling and candid photos of my clients enjoying their vacations.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about: the memories.
Travel Advisor