Two sisters from Bristol have made £143,000 in just four months after setting up a travel company from home.
Lesley and Nicole Robertson run a travel agency franchise called Not Just Travel, which is part of The Travel Franchise group.
The pair say launching their own business from home has been a "real learning curve", but they are glad they made the decision to be self-employed.
Nicole, who was formerly a sales director for a fashion wholesaler, said: "We are really glad we chose Not Just Travel – it’s a great company to work for. We are really pleased the way the company is moving towards being more corporate."
The pair were given training before they launched and are being flown out to Morocco later this year for a retreat with other franchisee owners.
“[The training] has been invaluable,” said Lesley, who used to be an estate agent. “It really helps to give you a boost and gets you motivated.”
She says she and her sister have worked hard to promote their company everywhere they can - from schools, to clubs and even in their local hairdresser.
“We have made ourselves available day and night, literally up to midnight at times," said Lesley. "We respond to enquiries and messages straight away too."
The Travel Franchise is a franchised travel agency business that's co-owned by Steve Witt and Paul Harrison.
The duo are coming to Bristol on August 19 to host an event on running a franchise. They will offer advice on how to start out in the travel industry, how to budget, how to find customers and tips to becoming self-employed.
Steve told Business Live: “Our disruptive travel booking model is helping cash-rich, time-poor customers fulfil their holiday dreams by offering the range of holidays found on the high street, but surpassing them on service.”
Tickets for the event, which is taking place at the Aztec Hotel and Spa, BS32 4TS, cost £10 (the money is refunded on arrival). To book, visit www.the-travel-franchise.com.
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