This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Angela Isherwood, founder of Olive & Atlas Travel, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to grow from passionate advisor to confident travel entrepreneur.

Angela shares her journey from a corporate, analytics-driven career into travel, how the disruption of the pandemic became a catalyst for redefining her business, and why learning how to run a business mattered just as much as learning how to sell travel. Together, Meredith and Angela unpack the less visible side of success, including hiring mistakes, building systems from scratch, letting go of control, and stepping fully into the role of owner instead of operator.

They also explore:

• The mindset shift from travel advisor to travel entrepreneur

• Hiring lessons learned the hard way, and what she would do differently now

• Why systems and processes are essential for scaling without burnout

• Balancing motherhood, boundaries, and business growth

• Positioning a brand intentionally in the luxury and ultra-luxury space

Angela’s story is a powerful reminder that growth is rarely linear, confidence is built through action, and sustainable success comes from clarity, community, and the willingness to evolve. This episode is especially resonant for advisors who know they want more freedom, better systems, and a business that supports the life they are building, not the other way around.

https://oliveandatlastravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway sits down with Patti Mills-Roy, founder of Mills-Roy Luxury Travel, longtime GTN community member, and a Top Producer who never set out to build a “big” business — she just wanted something meaningful (and fun) in her next chapter.After working as a international buyer, Patti eased into travel advising thinking it would be a small side project. Instead, through community, referrals, and a powerful “come with me” approach to group travel, she discovered a business that brought freedom, fulfillment, and surprising financial results.Whether you’re considering group travel, rebuilding momentum, or simply needing a reminder that this business can be deeply enjoyable, Patti’s story shows what’s possible when you combine intention, courage, and a whole lot of fun.https://www.millsroyluxurytravel.com/

This week on The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway is joined by Jackie Wammock, founder of Travelera Partners and a graduate of GTN’s Travel MBA program. After a thriving 30-year career in commercial real estate, Jackie made a bold pivot into luxury travel advising, bringing with her a deep respect for client trust, project management expertise, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way.

In this episode, Jackie shares how a quiet moment on a sailboat in Croatia led to an unexpected career shift, how she brought her real estate background into her travel business, and how she built her business from a place of intention and professionalism. From her early perfection paralysis to leading successful safari groups in Kenya, Jackie’s story is a candid look at how business acumen and passion can come together to create something truly fulfilling.

They also explore:

• Why Jackie delayed early bookings to protect client trust
• How Travel MBA helped her build strong systems from the start
• What it looks like to outsource intentionally and protect your time
• The role of social media in building a personal brand
• How equestrian experiences are shaping her niche safari offerings

Whether you're a career-switcher or a seasoned advisor looking to grow with intention, Jackie’s story is a thoughtful reminder that building a successful travel business isn’t about doing everything; it's about doing the right things, at the right time, for the right clients.