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.

In this episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway sits down with Heather Vergara, founder of Show Them the World, to unpack her journey from corporate brand marketing to building a multi-million-dollar travel business.

Heather shares how her background in marketing and storytelling helped her attract clients organically through content, why shifting her focus to luxury travel was a turning point for growth, and how building the right team—starting with operational support—allowed her business to scale beyond the solo advisor stage. From navigating a host agency switch to hiring ahead of growth, Heather offers honest insights into the mindset shifts and decisions that made expansion possible.

Along the way, the conversation weaves in the personal side of entrepreneurship—raising well-traveled kids, designing a family travel calendar with intention, and experiencing those full-circle moments that remind you why you took the leap in the first place.

Show Them the World: https://www.showthemtheworld.com/

Gifted Travel Network: https://www.giftedtravelnetwork.com/

In this week's special milestone episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, Meredith Calloway takes the hot seat and is interviewed by guest host Lybbi Hebel, GTN's Creative Marketing Strategist.

To mark the podcast’s 50th episode and one-year anniversary, Meredith reflects on the journey of how the podcast came to be, why spotlighting advisor stories matters so deeply, and what she’s learned along the way. In a warm and wide-ranging conversation, she shares the personal experiences, entrepreneurial pivots, and mindset shifts that shaped her path from Wall Street to luxury travel and co-founding GTN.

They also explore:

1. The power of story in building awareness for travel advising as a real business

2. Why community over competition has always been central to GTN’s model

3. How mindset went from a mystery to a core pillar of Meredith’s leadership

4. What “travel candy” is, and how it might show up in future episodes

5. Meredith’s first “pinch me” travel moment that made it all feel real

Whether you’ve been listening from the start or just discovered the podcast, this anniversary episode is a heartfelt look behind the scenes, as well as a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets intention.

Meredith is joined by Julie Ann Hargett, owner of H Luxury Travel and GTN Top Producer. Julie Ann shares how she went from planning a personal anniversary trip to building a referral-only luxury travel business, all while raising two kids and navigating rapid industry shifts. In this episode, Julie Ann opens up about the challenges of growing a high-touch agency, what it really takes to deliver luxury service, and how she built lasting client relationships rooted in trust, personalization, and consistency. She also reflects on the importance of setting boundaries, hiring support before burnout, and giving herself permission to pursue both a successful business and a fulfilling family life.

H Luxury Travel: https://hluxurytravel.com/

In this week's special episode of The Travel Business Unpacked podcast, host Meredith Calloway was joined live at The 7-Figure Travel Business Summit by three advisors known for their standout branding. During this dynamic panel conversation, these advisors shared how they turned personal vision into powerful brand identities that not only feel luxurious, but deeply aligned with their values and voice. From finding the right designer to knowing when to pivot, they offer honest insights into the creative process behind building a brand that truly resonates.

They also explore:

• What it takes to create a brand that reflects both passion and professionalism

• Lessons learned from collaborating with branding experts

• How to evolve your brand as your business and goals shift

• Signs your brand may be due for a refresh

• The balance between aesthetics and clarity in luxury branding

Whether you’re starting from scratch or reimagining your brand’s future, this conversation is full of practical takeaways and creative inspiration.

Featured Advisors:

Jen Campbell Boles, Explore More Travel Co.🔗https://exploremoretravelco.com/

Erica Davies, The Well Traveled Soul🔗https://thewelltraveledsoul.com/

Margaret Critz, For The Good Times Travel.

🔗https://forthegoodtimestravel.com/

In this episode, Meredith Calloway talks with Caroline Hollar, GTN’s Director of Marketing, about her journey from fresh college graduate to TravelPulse 40 Under 40 honoree. Caroline shares what nearly a decade inside Gifted Travel Network has taught her about the evolution of travel entrepreneurship, the rise of next-gen advisors, and how AI is reshaping marketing and creativity across the industry.Together, they explore the mindset behind facing fear - whether that’s launching a business or boarding a plane - and what it takes to build confidence, embrace change, and carve out a career that truly takes you places - sometimes literally. Caroline's 40 under 40 profile: https://www.travelpulse.com/40-under-40/2025/caroline-hollar-gifted-travel-network