Ep 268 Shop Talk: Navigating a Slow Season, Client Uncertainty, and Building Smarter Systems

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get candid about what Q1 2026 really looked like. Brianna shares her concerns about a slowdown in inquiries since mid-February, while Whitney reflects on a busier but more reactive quarter with shorter booking windows. Together they talk through what travel advisors can and can't control, how global uncertainty is affecting client behavior, and the simple outreach moves worth making when business feels slow. The conversation wraps with both sharing the AI tools and custom Claude prompts they're building to make their workflows faster, smarter, and more on-brand, from itinerary drafts to dining reservation logic.

In this solo episode, Brianna walks through exactly how she uses AI inside her travel business, from the first client inquiry all the way through final itinerary delivery. Rather than focusing on tools or theory, she breaks down the real, behind-the-scenes workflows that help her move faster, think more clearly, and execute at a higher level. She shares how AI supports consult prep, shapes her North Star brief, enhances research and design, and streamlines communication with both clients and DMCs. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes that AI is not replacing her expertise, but strengthening it. The result is a more structured, strategic, and elevated client experience from start to finish. If you have been wondering how to actually apply AI in your travel business, this episode gives you a clear and practical roadmap.

In this episode, Whitney sits down with email marketing strategist Kaytee Fisher to unpack what it actually takes to shift your travel business toward the trips you want to book more of. From increasing safari inquiries to pivoting into new destinations or trip types, this conversation breaks down the gap between intention and execution. Kaytee shares why consistent marketing matters even when your book of business feels full, and how storytelling plays a critical role in guiding your audience toward new offers. They explore practical strategies like content series, segmentation, and newsletter planning to help travel advisors market more intentionally without overwhelming their audience. If you’ve ever wondered how to move the needle in a specific direction without starting from scratch, this episode gives you a clear and actionable path forward. It’s a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to evolve your marketing as your travel business grows.Join Kaytee's FAM Marketing Playbook workshop on May 6, 2026 https://moxieandfourth.myflodesk.com/fam-workshop

What if the fastest way to grow your travel business isn’t social media or referrals, but showing up in your local community? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Kathryn Morga, founder of Adventure Smarter, to talk about how networking became the driving force behind her rapidly growing book of business. After relocating to Nashville with two young kids and a full-time job, Kathryn rebuilt her travel business from scratch and quickly scaled it from part-time to full-time through consistent community engagement. Rather than relying solely on repeat and referral clients, she focused on building relationships with local business owners who now act as enthusiastic advocates for her travel business. Kathryn shares how travel advisors can find the right networking groups, craft a memorable 60-second pitch, and track early signs of success long before referrals start rolling in. If you’re looking for a practical way to expand your book of business beyond your existing network, this conversation offers a clear and actionable approach.

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get real about navigating a chaotic start to the year while balancing the mental load of running a travel business. From wave season overwhelm to learning when to walk away from inquiries that don't fit, they explore what it means to lead with honesty in client conversations. Whitney shares her journey toward being more transparent about pricing and what it actually takes to create the level of experience clients are asking for. Together they unpack the importance of knowing your numbers, working backwards from budget or priorities, and refusing to people-please their way into unprofitable bookings. It's a candid conversation about setting boundaries, trusting your gut, and building a travel business that is sustainable because you stopped saying yes to everything.

What if leading a retreat didn't mean doing it all yourself? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Karen Hattaway, founder of Life Beyond the Room, a DMC based in Italy, to explore how travel advisors can create signature retreats and small group trips without the overwhelm. Karen breaks down the difference between a retreat and a small group trip, why slower-paced, single-destination experiences attract seasoned travelers, and how partnering with a DMC can take the logistical weight off your shoulders. They dig into pricing strategies, ideal group sizes, how to fill seats through authentic marketing, and why signature retreats work best when you already know your clients and what they love. If you've been curious about hosting a retreat but hesitant because of the time and risk involved, this conversation offers a clear roadmap and a compelling case for collaboration over going it alone.

What if the reason you feel stuck isn't because you're not working hard enough, but because you're too busy executing to decide what actually matters? In this solo episode, Brianna unpacks why so many travel advisors find themselves in a cycle of nonstop busyness that somehow still feels stagnant. She breaks down five specific ways advisors get stuck: building for everyone instead of someone, being great at what they do but unable to explain why, growing a business they don't actually want, treating everything as urgent, and delegating tasks without delegating ownership. This isn't a productivity pep talk. It's an invitation to pause, get intentional, and start leading your business like the CEO you already are. If you've ever felt like you're working harder than ever but not moving forward, this episode will help you see where the real shift needs to happen.

What if the key to growing your travel business isn't about doing more, but about getting clearer on what you're actually saying? In this Ask Us Anything episode, Whitney and Brianna respond to a listener who's ready to pivot away from high-volume, promotion-driven marketing toward a quieter, more strategic approach. They tackle five questions: how to market without urgency or deals, what destination intelligence looks like in practice, how to educate without over-explaining, how to block out industry noise, and what signals separate high-consideration clients from bargain hunters. This conversation offers a reset on how to move from noise to nuance in the way you position and communicate your value as a travel advisor.

In this month's Shop Talk, Brianna and Whitney get real about navigating a chaotic start to the year while balancing the mental load of running a travel business. From January wave season overwhelm to learning when to walk away from inquiries that don't fit, they explore what it means to lead with honesty in client conversations. Whitney shares her journey toward being more transparent about pricing, profitability, and what it actually takes to create the level of experience clients are asking for. Together they unpack the importance of time studies, working backwards from budget or priorities, and refusing to people-please their way into unprofitable bookings. It's a candid conversation about setting boundaries, educating clients through honesty, and building trust by ripping back the curtain on what truly makes a travel business sustainable.

What if selling more travel still isn’t translating into the paycheck you actually want? In this episode, Brianna challenges travel advisors to stop chasing revenue for the sake of it and start designing profit on purpose. She breaks down the five numbers that matter most in your travel business and explains why owners pay should always come before top line goals. Through simple math and relatable examples, Brianna shares from her ten years of owning a travel business a realistic path to paying yourself a six figure salary without working more or burning out.