Protection for Wedding Coordinator? Selling Merch as Agent? Franchise vs. Own Brand?

Protection for Wedding Coordinator? Selling Merch as Agent? Franchise vs. Own Brand?

Author: Host Agency Reviews June 13, 2025 Duration: 25:48

Steph teams up with Eric & co. of Cruise Planners to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out CP's profile here. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Friday at 12 pm CST! 

  • If you plan a destination wedding just as a coordinator - client pays vendor directly - how can you protect yourself? —Lenora D.
  • I attend market festivals as a vendor advertising my travel business between the spring and fall. This year, I have added some physical items to sell that are related to a few countries that I advertise. Because these are physical products and not travel, can I still sell them under my business name at these fairs? My host agency allows me to charge service fees, so I thought it would be ok to do this. Thanks! —Marc C.
  • I am an experienced agent (going on 6 years) but looking to switch hosts (participated in Host Week and have been researching since). I recently met and have been speaking with a travel company franchisee about joining them as an associate with 90/10 commission split (which is much more than my split now) and approximately $40/month fee. However, my hang up is I would have to operate under their brand (when I've done the HAR 7-day Accelerator course and researched and picked the name I want to operate under and domain is available) and after royalties and the franchisee taking their 10% it appears that I would actually end up with approximately 73%. They do have amazing tech, training, and support. Trying to figure out if that is worth it or a host agency that isn't a franchise. I'm having analysis paralysis with all the info available and want to make a good choice! Help! —Layne B.







RESOURCES:


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


➡️ Your Midyear Gut Check (No Judgment, Just Real Talk) - Jenn Myers! 


➡️ Take HAR’s advisor survey – get a free 80+ page report! 


➡️ Watch Host Week — join us for free, the last week in January every year! https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/host-week


➡️ Travel Agency Franchise or Host Agency? A breakdown. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-franchise-or-host-agency)


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

➡️ Travel market research report with data on travel advisor commission splits 



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
Travel Insurance? Fees? First 30 Days? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:57
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn from HAR! A huge thank you to Avoya Travel for sponsoring this episode. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How important is…
$2M in Sales. No Team. No Marketing Budget. Meet Amy! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:53
****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol35Special thanks to today’s sponsor: Uniglobe Travel CenterToday’s guest took a life-changing leap, selling her home, putting everything in storage, and moving her fami…
Closing a lead? Payment Practices? Trust? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:03
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Betsy from Uniglobe Travel Center! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I just started as a travel agent this past September. And I…
Leads? Payment Gateways? Hierarchies? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:15
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Erwing from Oasis Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! New advisor here, just starting out-I’m wondering if it’s po…
CRMs? Tech Tools? Unnecessary tech? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:56
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Katie from Tern! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I’m just getting started and trying to wrap my head around using a CRM, but I…
Client IDs? Net vs Gross? Selling Yourself? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!I continue to see it recommended that we get copies of our client…
Corporate to Leisure? DMC Services? Destination Weddings? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:55
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I love your podcasts and have been a loyal listener for over 3…
Checklists? Responsible Travel? Website? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:46
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Fora! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I am working on creating more automated processes and was wondering if there is a genera…
Niche from beginning? Website? FIT? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:06
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming GTN! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! Hi! I am looking forward to starting this next great adventure. I have a background as a…
Commission on Fees? Certifications? Facebook? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:26
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How common is it for a Host Agency to take a commission on the planning/consu…