Price, product and communication are all critical to my success as a travel agent. However, communication is vital to me. It's important for me to really understand my client and their dream vacation at the start so I can best meet their needs. It's also important for me to keep in contact with them about any changes or tips.

I often think every good travel consultant should have a velvety chartreuse chaise lounge in her office. At times, you’ll find yourself playing the role of Dear Abby as you listen to your clients’ waffle over the meaning of life and what they should pack

My personal definition of outstanding customer service involves anticipating my client's every need and providing solutions to problems they don't even know about. I believe travel should be relaxing and fun. I want to remove any worries or doubts from the minds of my clients so they can enjoy their adventures.

My biggest motivation to succeed as a travel agent is knowing I get to help families create once-in-a-lifetime memories. I get to tell others about beautiful, unique destinations. Nothing makes me happier than a satisfied customer who returns from a trip and can't wait to go explore more.

I always ask my clients for their top three destinations, their budget, what they want out of their trip, who they're traveling with and how much flexibility they have. I want to find or create a package that gets them their top destination when they want to go at the lowest price. I like to know more about who's in their party so I can find bonuses for them, such as kid-friendly resorts.

When I was a kid, I loved to close my eyes, spin a globe, stop it by putting my finger on a random country and researching the country. When I got older, I found exciting places to travel this way, and I discovered that I enjoy finding interesting destinations and great deals. People started asking me for my tips, so I became a travel agent to combine my expertise with my passion for travel.

One of my favorite things about being a travel agent is making my own schedule. My schedule is very flexible, and I'm available nights, weekends and holidays. My clients always know I'm only one text or email away.