65. Should You Require A Minimum Trip Investment? with Susan Whitson
Susan Whitson, the founder of Susan Whitson Travel and a Conde Nast Top Travel specialist since 2020, joins this episode to discuss the importance of setting boundaries, charging fees for services, and knowing your worth as a travel advisor. She emphasizes the concept of minimum trip investments and how to communicate realistic pricing to clients, allowing for flexibility while still ensuring that clients have an understanding of the costs involved. If you’re ready to level up your travel business and work with clients that truly value your expertise, this is the episode for you!
About Susan Whitson:
Susan has been designing and creating unique travel experiences since 2014, earning her the honor of being named a Conde Nast Top Travel specialist since 2020. Prior to joining the travel industry, Susan worked in government public relations and communications, including White House press secretary to Mrs. Laura Bush, with whom Susan traveled the globe and experienced some of the world’s most beautiful and culturally rich places, and made deeply meaningful personal connections.
Having traveled to 70+ countries on six continents and 49 US states (Nebraska still eludes her), Susan's expertise is planning trips to emerging destinations and creating unique, off-the-beaten path travel experiences specifically tailored for each client. She is most passionate about and has deep expertise planning travel in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, French Polynesia, Spain, Scotland, and South America. Honeymoons, multi-generational family trips, and adventure travel are also areas of Susan's expertise. When not exploring the world, Susan lives in the Virginia countryside with her family.
Today we will cover:
- (03:30) Susan's journey from the White House to the travel industry
- (05:10) Evolution of Susan's clientele and her focus on quality
- (08:00) Dealing with disruptors and setting boundaries
- (14:10) Assessing the need for change and finding fulfillment
- (17:35) Building relationships with clients who bring you joy
- (22:45) Cultivating confidence through mentorship
- (33:35) The concept of a minimum investment and realistic pricing for full-service itineraries
- (39:55) Personal trips as a way to experience and speak to clients
- (43:30) Embodying the level of travel you want to sell
- (50:15) Calculating fees based on desired income and working hours
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