The Homeworker: 'Change is good – don't try to swim against it'

While trying to conceal my evident distraction from my husband, I was lifted by an influx of messages from industry colleagues far and wide including warm welcomes from Travel Counsellors offering support. That’s VERY Holidaysplease.

Laying my cards on the table, I had flirted with the idea of moving a few years back, but two things had stopped me – loyalty, and fear. Far from unworthy deterrents. My loyalty remains with my founders, but would now be misplaced. After all, an undisclosed sum – while well-deserved – is probably fairly hefty.

That just leaves fear to contend with. Post-pandemic, I think we all know travel agents are made of tough stuff. Mid-holiday, an unsettling sense of FOMO – fear of missing out – kicked in. I reached out to Travel Counsellors chief executive Steve Byrne, who kindly set up a call which helped allay initial concerns. I spent the afternoon engaging in some challenging conversations with fellow HP agents (with a few poolside wines).

The broad proposition is simple to understand. These are two great companies, with some different qualities and a shared goal. It is business as usual while everyone learns more about, and from, each other before we decide what is best for our own businesses.

Utopia, for me, looks like an inclusive blend of both business models, and I truly believe there is room for both to exist in harmony, offering a broad scope of feasible, scalable options to the many passionate members of the homeworker community.

Back at my desk a short week later, I can’t say it was the most relaxing of breaks, and I owe my ever-supportive partner (and myself) another one soon, but I guess this one was exceptional and somewhat out of my control. And after 24 hours’ of self-indulgent moping, I managed to rediscover my ability to travel agent with my usual gusto.

Change is good. Think of it like a river, don’t waste your energy swimming against it. Let it carry you and eventually you will be in calmer waters and will know what the next steps are. Exciting times ahead.

Jo Shayler-Tarrant of Jo Shayler Holidays is an independent travel agent at Holidaysplease. She was named Home-Based Agent of the Year at the 2021 Travel Industry Awards by TTG, and went on to be crowned UK and Ireland Travel Agent of the Year. She lives by the sea in Frinton on the north Essex coast.