“I make full-time money working part-time planning vacations”
“When the Disney store I worked at closed, I didn’t know what to do next. A friend suggested I become a Disney travel agent, so I read up on it. My family and I had been to Disneyland so many times, it seemed like a nobrainer. That’s when I teamed up with my sister-in-law to launch Visit Mickey Vacations (VisitMickey.com).
“First, we applied with Disney to become authorized Disney vacation planners, a designation that you’re an expert in all things Disney. We made a website, contacted the free local paper, created a Facebook page and asked friends to spread the word. Within two weeks, we had our first bookings!
“Our clients turn to us because we’re experts, plus we get exclusive updates and offers, and we make it easy for them to plan the perfect vacation. When we start working with a family, we interview them to find out what they want to do in Disney, their kids’ favorite characters and their budget. Then we recommend hotels and restaurants that fit their preferences and help them plan park visits and activities. We also work with families who have ill or special-needs children.
“To market the business, we use Instagram, our blog and email. I love taking the time to learn about our families, and I become invested in them and help them make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. The business has grown, and today, we have 16 travel planners who work for us as independent contractors.
“The money I make goes back into the business and is donated to Duplication Cares, a nonprofit organization for kids with the genetic disorder my daughter has.”