Choosing a specialty

This week, we continue with why you chose your specialties. Cruising is a popular focus for different reasons.

California-based advisor Adrienne Lee and her husband started their agency 15 years ago and, while they book other travel, they specialize in ocean and river cruises, in part because it was a style of travel that worked well for them. “Cruising was the perfect vacation since it offered activities that [our son] enjoyed and we could still enjoy adult time.”

Lee also notes that cruises often lead to repeat business, as they sometimes book land trips for clients who visited certain destinations while cruising.

Toni Anderson of Houston is a cruising enthusiast who noticed that pricing was consistent regardless of how it was booked. Anderson determined that the quality of service she provided would be the deciding factor, so “I knew I had excellent customer service skills so I would do well in the cruising field.”

Karyn Farr of California focuses on cruises and safaris because she has a passion for both. “I have to be … knowledgeable to speak with authority to answer client questions,” Farr said. “And I have to be willing to spend my own money (not just go on FAMs) to personally research as many options as possible.”

You have been overwhelming in your responses, so we will follow up with more of them in the coming weeks. If you would like to have your say, email Katie Parks with your responses.