Q&A: What’s it like to be a homeworker?

Laura French asked three homeworking agents for their first-hand insights

Samantha Glynn, Saga Travel

How and when did you get into travel?

“As a child I was always obsessed with different countries, their cultures and how they lived. My mother gave me a book called Places Around the World, and I’d spend hours flicking through the pages imagining what it was like to go to these places and experience them.

After studying travel and tourism at college, I was lucky enough to get my first role in retail at Lunn Poly. I was so nervous and excited on my first day, but I loved every minute of it and was hooked.”

What was your background prior to joining Saga?

“I worked in retail for many years with the big names, but childcare became a bit of a problem, so a friend of mine at the time mentioned that her friend had started working from home as a self-employed travel agent.

This sounded amazing but also a little scary, but I made the jump and have spent a good 15 years or more doing the same.”

What support did you get when you joined Saga’s new homeworking division?

“When I started, they sent me a laptop and we spent two weeks in immersive training. Saga also has an e-academy where you can learn at your own pace, and each week we have training sessions on product, marketing, self-development, social media and other topics.

We also have a local travel advisor, WhatsApp group and weekly Teams catch-ups with other homeworkers – the support is amazing.”

You now live and work abroad – what inspired you to make the move to Turkey?

“Once my children grew up and left home, I decided at the age of 45 that blue sea and sunshine beckoned, so in 2015 I packed my bags and went to work in Cape Verde as a holiday representative.

I was lucky enough to spend a further 10 seasons working in amazing destinations such as Turkey, Lapland, Crete and many more, until Covid happened.

After Covid, I felt like I belonged abroad, so I sold my house in the UK and came to live in the Fethiye region of Turkey.”

I’d always dreamt of working abroad, but I never thought it would happen

What’s it like running your business from abroad?

“Running my business from abroad is much the same as running it from the UK, but I feel like there’s more scope here.

There’s a large expat community in Fethiye, and living in a small community where everyone knows who you are is great. It’s a sociable place, so there’s more chance to meet with customers in a nice coffee shop by the beach or through one of the many charity causes I’ve been involved with.”

What do you like most about working abroad?

“I’d always dreamt of working abroad, but I never thought it would happen. I remember having to play the tin man in pantomime in Lapland and thinking if someone had told me at the age of 50 I’d be doing this, I’d never have believed them.

I’m so lucky to have experienced all of that and helped make people’s dreams come true, just as mine have.”

Jackie Frith, Travel-pa

How did you get into travel and why did you decide to become a homeworker?

“I started a Youth Training Scheme programme in 1985, and worked in a high street store until 2006, when I became a  homeworker. A couple of my friends had done homeworking and the freedom and flexibility they had was really appealing.

I’d also got a dog, which meant I could spend more time with him!”

You were previously a reiki healer – what did this involve and how did you balance it with your business?

“Reiki is essentially energy healing that works on a physical and emotional level; I’m a reiki master so I used to teach it frequently but stopped when Covid hit.

When I joined Travel-pa I already had my reiki business, and I was able to work appointments around Travel-pa and vice versa – I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I was working on the high street.”

Go for it! It will change your life and you’ ll never look back

What’s your favourite thing about homeworking and what are the challenges?

“I love the freedom and being my own boss – I choose the hours I work, go to yoga twice a week during the daytime and can go out whenever I like.

The key challenges are the unknown things such as Covid, which stopped travel overnight.

It isn’t for everyone, and not knowing how much money you’re bringing in every month can be stressful – but if you’re self-motivated, go for it; from my experience, it will change your life dramatically and you’ll never look back.”

Kerry Ellis, Inspire

What was your background before joining Inspire?

“I was a financial advisor at a large company, but after Covid hit, I wanted to find something more rewarding. I chose the travel industry because it’s an exciting and dynamic environment that keeps me challenged – learning about stunning hotels in exotic countries is much more fun than studying the latest pension reforms!”

How did you get set up as a homeworker?

“I used the Travel Weekly Homeworking Directory to shortlist companies that would accept people with no previous travel experience. I set up calls with each company and after asking lots of questions, decided to go with Inspire based on the rapport I had with my business growth coach there.

The support has been invaluable; they offer a huge number of suppliers as well as personalised admin and marketing support, and I’ve had so much training.”

What’s it like to be a homeworker?

“I love that my job helps people discover new places and create wonderful memories. It’s so rewarding and the flexibility of working for myself makes being a single parent with no other support much easier. I work full-time hours, but I can balance my children’s and my clients’ needs.”

The support has been invaluable and I’ve had so much training

What’s been your biggest achievement as a homeworker?

“I’ve made some big bookings, including a multigenerational round-the-world trip worth £53,000 – but I find helping people with ‘small’ holidays just as rewarding.

I recently helped a family who have never been abroad book a bucket-list trip to Croatia, and that was really special.”