Northcutt and some of her team members in Mexico .
“ My motto ? We want to be with you from your honeymoon right through to your retirement journey !”
While working remotely seems to be an ongoing trend , having a dedicated space to conduct business has always been valuable to Northcutt , as it helps both her focus and her balance between work and life . To encourage this delicate dance , and in response to the growth of her agency , Northcutt opened a storefront in May 2023 .
It ’ s important to her to accommodate her team in a physical office so they have a place fully dedicated to work . In addition to this , though , the storefront lends itself to being a place to meet with clients , vendors and potential new hires .
Another crucial aspect of the job for Northcutt and her team is traveling , which leads to additional education , first-hand experiences and expertise . “ I pride myself knowing firsthand over 400 resorts and 24 cruise ships as well as countries and cultures and experiences ,” she said . “ How are you going to truly be able to say you are an expert in travel if you don ’ t travel ?”
With every business comes goals for the future , and Northcutt is focusing on technology so her team members can be equipped with the tools they need to get the job done .
“ Think of it as giving superheroes their capes , courtesy of tech tools ,” she said . “ I ’ ve been busy crafting a ‘ Traveler ’ s GPS ’ – a manual encompassing the good , the bad and our personal tales from the road .”
Travel advisors with thriving businesses know very well that success is not handed out on a silver platter . It ’ s the result of hard work , consistency and perseverance , and these are the exact attributes the advisors at Northcutt Travel Agency have shown during their journey to a successful and reputable business — and Northcutt leads by example .
“ Launching a business is a comprehensive endeavor ; it requires expertise in technology , accounting and a clear vision of the company ’ s structure and values ,” Northcutt said . “ Success doesn ’ t simply fall into place ; it demands consistent effort and dedication .”
SHAYLA ’ S ADVICE FOR NEW ADVISORS
“ Put your money where your mind is : invest in education and travel . Hustle to those conferences . Peddle what you know – because in this game , ‘ fake it till you make it ’ is a no-go . Don ’ t jet off on a trip if you ’ ve zero zeal to sell that spot . And heads up ! Every industry has its tricksters ; so if a group wants your cash to join their ranks , raise an eyebrow .”
WINTER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 25