Sales near $1M in a few years. Accessible travel advisor has AT tips for you. Meet Karen.

Sales near $1M in a few years. Accessible travel advisor has AT tips for you. Meet Karen.

Author: Host Agency Reviews June 11, 2026 Duration: 1:07:14

It didn’t start with a niche, it started with a perspective. And in just a few short years, Karen has turned that perspective into a fast-growing travel business that’s on track to hit $1M in annual sales in 2026.

Since entering the industry in 2022, Karen has built her business around accessible travel, not as a checkbox, but as a core part of how she serves every single client. As a wheelchair user herself, she brings lived experience into every itinerary, helping travelers navigate a world that isn’t always designed with them in mind… and showing them what is possible.

Karen is a firm believer that accessible travel isn’t just for a small subset of clients, it’s something every advisor should be thinking about. From mobility needs to invisible disabilities to simply asking better questions, she shares how advisors can create more inclusive experiences without feeling overwhelmed or out of their depth.

In this episode, Karen walks us through how she’s built trust with her clients, the realities (and misconceptions) of accessible travel, and how focusing on this space has not only made her business more meaningful, but also incredibly successful.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to better support your clients, this is a conversation that might just change the way you think about accessibility in travel.


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: 50

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
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…
CC Auths? Charging Fees? Switching Hosts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:50
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Uniglobe Travel Center! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!I have several corporate clients that pay with the same card throughout…
Suppliers? Rebranded? Credit Card Authorizations? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:05
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming NEST Plus with April! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!When choosing a supplier to work with, what are some questions to ask the…
Reasonable fees? Preferred Suppliers? Thresholds for access? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:41
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Travel Leaders Market Square with Kelly and Rochelle! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How do I decide what reasonable travel f…
Chargebacks? Partnerships? FAM as new advisor? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:38
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Sava Travel and Byrd! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How can travel advisors protect ourselves against fraudulent chargebacks…
Client communication? Niches? Quoting Clients? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:25
This week for the Friday 15, we're opening 2026 with OASIS Travel Network and Chelsea! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I have been listening to past Friday15’s and s…
Family travel? First year focus? Marketing activities? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
This week for the Friday 15, we've got a final in-house HAR special with the entire HAR crew, Shayna Zand, Abbey von Gohren, Rita Perez and Jenn Myers! So much to catch up on, plus some questions to discuss this Friday a…
What to Expect With Hosts? LLC’s? Partnerships? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
This week for the Friday 15, it’s the RETURN OF STEPH LEE as she cohosts with Lori Speers of Levarte, now a KHM travel company. So much to catch up on, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I…
FIT best practices? Costs to join a host? Niche and make money? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
This week for the Friday 15, Shayna co-hosts with Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions. We’ve got a bunch of great questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm very confused and overwhelmed by the FIT…