Balancing Work Life with Family Health Needs. Industry Standard for Payouts? Presenting Prices to Clients?

Balancing Work Life with Family Health Needs. Industry Standard for Payouts? Presenting Prices to Clients?

Author: Host Agency Reviews June 20, 2025 Duration: 27:07

Shayna and Steph team up with Lori Speers from Levarte Travel to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Levarte’s profile here. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! 

  • Currently, I’m working as a receptionist, after my first year, I was promoted to Jr. Agent. Unfortunately, due to some health issues my son is facing, my career progress has been put on hold, and it wasn’t my choice to step back. I’ve had to prioritize his well-being, but it’s difficult not to be able to pursue my dream of becoming a travel advisor. Has anyone else faced something similar? How did you continue to move forward when life threw you a curveball like this? I’d really appreciate any advice or guidance on how to keep pursuing my goals despite these challenges.
  • I know some host agencies pay out to their agents weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. I'm curious to know the industry standard for how soon after receipt of commission from the supplier would a host agency pay the independent agent.
  • What I'm still not clear on are things like this: how do I present options and prices to a client, and give them time to make a decision?  Am I supposed to reserve all of the options first to guarantee the price, and then cancel the discarded options afterward? Or do you just present it and hope the prices don't change in the meantime?  Are there other good places to find tips or suggestions for effective booking practices?


RESOURCES:


➡️Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering! https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 


➡️ Register for Lori’s Learn Love Levarte session: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QNDg5oG4STK7gz9mMvxjQA#/registration


➡️ We have an article on what to do and how to ensure your host is paying out your commission:  https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-not-paying-commissions


➡️ Take HAR’s advisor survey – get a free 80+ page report! https://hostagencyreviews.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=zl%2BdXUs6zdkECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D


➡️ HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course on how to start your travel agency! https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator

➡️ Levarte’s profile and website: https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/levarte-travel + https://levartetravel.com/


Hosted by the team at Host Agency Reviews, this audio channel blends two distinct formats into one practical resource. The first is Travel Agent Chatter, a quarterly series of spotlight interviews that dive deep into the experiences of working travel advisors. These longer conversations explore the real stories behind the careers, covering the nuances of building a business, personal client triumphs, and the cultural insights gained from a life in travel. The companion series, Friday 15, operates on a completely different rhythm. Every week, a focused fifteen-minute episode tackles specific questions from the travel industry, offering direct advice and timely insights that are both concise and immediately useful. Together, this podcast creates a balanced mix of inspirational narrative and actionable strategy. Whether you're seeking motivation from peer journeys or need quick answers to pressing professional questions, the channel is designed to support the daily realities of travel entrepreneurs. It’s a resource that understands the industry's blend of passion and pragmatism, delivered through the authentic voices of those who are deeply embedded in this world. Tune in for thoughtful perspectives that are as varied and dynamic as the travel profession itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
Billing for FIT Trips? How Do Leads Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Steph and Shayna welcome Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out TIS’s profile here on our brand-new travel tech software profiles.Here are the juicy questions they’l…
Travel with Small Children? How To Organize Digital Info? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
In episode 199, Steph and Shayna co-host with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s the questions they’ll tackle this week. Please join us! 1. What is your favorite place to travel with children under 5? ---Staci W.2…
How To Organize Contacts? Should I Go Out On My Own? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
In episode 198, Steph Lee co-hosts with a longtime friend of the Friday 15, April Swales of Uniglobe Travel Center. They’ve got two especially in-depth questions, so have a look and tune in Friday 12 pm CST! 1. Do you ha…
When to LLC? How To Be a Sub-Agent? Worried About Refunds! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:48
In episode 197, Steph Lee hosts and Andavo Travel is our sponsor. (Thanks, Andavo!) Here's a taste of the questions she'll cover! 1. At what point should you LLC (so as to protect your assets), even if your income is not…
System for Supplier Contacts? Go Independent? Thank You Gifts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
In episode 196, our very own Mary Stein co-hosts with the one and only Jenn Lee of Vacation Planners! Here’s the questions they’ll tackle this week! 1. Do you have a good system for organizing all your travel BD contacts…
When to LLC? How to Deal with Failure? Which Course To Take? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:58
In episode 195, we have a HAR Team special with Shayna Zand and Rita Perez! Here are the questions they’ll cover in this week’s episode! At what point should you LLC (so as to protect your assets), even if your income is…
What CRM for Credit Cards? Too Many Hosts!! How to Assess Fees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:53
In episode 192, Steph cohosts again with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions they’ll cover!1. ​​Hi I’m a new independent travel advisor just getting ramped up and which CRM is recommended for CC pay…