We spent some time talking with Diamond Elite Pinnacle travel advisor Ashley Julvezan about the launch of her business, its growth, and her recommendations for new and seasoned agents who desire to grow their businesses too. During our interview, she shared information about starting her travel business (with no previous experience in the travel industry!), how she has grown as a travel advisor, and what she believes has contributed to the success of her travel agency.
With a longtime passion for planning trips, in 2017 Ashley Julvezan decided it was time to take this enthusiasm for travel and funnel it into the launch of her business, Near and Far Travel Services. She spent the first three years navigating her new role as business owner and travel planner while simultaneously working as a Registered Dietitian for the Ann Arbor VA hospital. In 2019 she achieved Diamond Pinnacle status, and in 2020 left her hospital position to devote herself fully to her travel business, a change that also benefited her family since she was able to work from home during her husband’s deployment.
With no prior experience in the travel industry, Ashley dedicated time and energy to learning about travel suppliers and destinations while also discovering the ins and outs of running a business. She began by focusing on all-inclusive resort packages, Hawaii vacations, and Europe itineraries, and later started coordinating numerous group trips each year (while sometimes leading her own!)
Since the launch of Near and Far Travel Services, Ashley has been awarded Rising Star Agent of the Year, Midwest Region Agent of the Year, and has attained Diamond Elite Pinnacle status. Further, she has been recognized by suppliers like Europe Express, Delta Vacations, and Globus as their KHM Travel Group Agent of the Year.
On What Drives Her Business
Simply put, Ashley is confident in her business model: she knows what she is good at. She books Alaska, Hawaii, international destinations, and adventure travel, and refers certain trips to other KHM Travel Group colleagues.
Group travel planning is vital to increasing sales, Ashley believes, and credits this component of her business for propelling her to Diamond Pinnacle Elite status. (She estimates group travel contributes to approximately 1/3 of her sales!) Not only does she coordinate groups for clients, but she also leads several groups annually, like next year’s planned adventures to Croatia and Costa Rica and on an Avalon Waterways Christmas Market cruise. Ashley has developed an incredible reputation as a group leader, and people now scramble to secure their spots on her itineraries.
Ashley has also learned to say “no” over the years. When it comes to new clients, she trusts her gut instincts and proceeds accordingly. Regarding suppliers, she knows which ones she wants to work with and books her clients’ trips with them as often as possible. She won’t compromise her business by working with a supplier she is not comfortable with, and will turn down or pass on trips, destinations, and some suppliers that aren’t her focus. She emphasizes that she knows her clients well, knows which types of travel she wants to sell, has specific suppliers she prefers working with, and generally doesn’t deviate from this.
When it comes to who plans trips with Ashley, her extensive client base is primarily past clients, their referrals, and a sprinkling of new inquires who have viewed her Google business listing and its complimentary reviews.
While Ashley admits there is no “magic potion” for how she has achieved Diamond Elite Pinnacle status, she acknowledges the importance of her mindset from the start as a part-time travel advisor: she treated her fledgling travel agency as a business and put her heart and soul into its operation.
Educating herself was her first, and most important step. Within six months of launching Near and Far Travel Services, Ashley attended Boot Camp (and then later, Destination Success,) which she credits for helping her learn about the travel industry and create a strong foundation for her business. She still attends at least one KHM Travel Group event each year – usually Crystal Conference – but last year she joined us in Cleveland for The Luxury Symposium. At this level of her career, she particularly values the connections she continues to make at these events that bring KHM Travel Agents together.
Ashley is incredibly thankful for her family and friends, stating that her success was not possible without the love and support they have shown her over the years. Her husband, especially, has been her constant cheerleader and she is grateful for his enthusiasm for her travel business and the patience he has for her long work days.
On Her Typical Workday
Ashley’s work schedule varies by season and the needs of her clients. During particularly busy times, she might be on her computer at 5:00am for a couple hours before waking her children for school and taking a quick break to exercise before resuming work for the day. Sometimes, she has a later start but works 12-14 hour days. Regardless, she usually “works from her inbox” responding to messages and addressing tasks accordingly. She prides herself on her quick response time and efficiency when it comes to managing both tasks and clients. For appointments, clients schedule through Acuity and choose from three available time slots across 3-4 days per week, which allows Ashley to structure her week.
Ashley generally travels at least once per month, so she works on vacation…but only on tasks that are necessary. Consultations or new client inquires, for example, wait until her return home.
An area she recognizes needs improvement is learning how to “shut off” her role as travel agent, because she often finds herself working long weekdays and weekends to tend to clients and their trips. She hopes with her new office (that’s currently under construction) she can put more space between work and home life!
On the Importance of Authenticity
When it comes to anything and everything travel, Ashley is a natural. She is incredibly passionate about seeing the world and helping her clients experience it too – she jokes that she “eats, breathes, and sleeps travel.” Her goal is that “when people think about Ashley Julvezan, they immediately think about travel.” Instead of posting deals, she focuses on showcasing the experiences travelers can have when they work with her for their own trips. Traveling frequently and sharing her adventures on social media helps inspire others to dream about their own vacations while further shaping her identity as a reliable travel professional.
She knows her clients love working with her and the personal touch she provides in her communication. Touchpoints with her clients throughout the planning process contribute to her relationships with them, and they get to know Ashley and the service she provides. (And when she leads groups, her clients spend time getting to know her while in destination, which has rewarded her many times over!)
This authenticity has allowed Ashley to foster relationships with her clients over the years, establishing credibility and building trust that prompts them to return time and again to work with her travel agency.
Words of Wisdom
Ashley believes it’s very important to think ahead about the areas of your business you can maximize, especially when just starting out or when times are slow.
Above all else, she emphasizes that travel agents should provide amazing service, pointing out that people can just book travel on their own. Clients come to travel agents for the experience and the service we provide them, and it’s important we give them that.
…And What She Wished She Knew When Starting Out
When Ashley was establishing Near and Far Travel Services, she wished she had been better at setting boundaries and creating a balance between work and home life. Once you reach a certain level in sales, she says balance can get a bit out of control, so starting out with good habits sets your business up for the future. Putting good systems in place can further assist with this, she adds.
Thank you to Ashley for sharing her unique journey as inspiration for other travel agents!
