Teacher-turned-Hays homeworker says business is booming

A former secondary school teacher who switched to become a Hays Travel Personal Travel Consultant has hailed the agency’s training as his business is already busy.

Jon Berridge studied with the Hays Academy, starting on June 17, and took his first booking by June 30.

At the end of his first full month of trading, he said he was “amazed at how busy and successful I have been”.

The former assistant vice-principal said: “Initially I thought the plan would be that I would build up my business in the evenings and weekends and do supply teaching during the day.

“However, that has not been the case. Although I did register with a supply agency, I have not used them. I have simply been too busy with enquiries and bookings. It has gone crazy.”

The Corby-based homeworker had worked as a teacher for more than 20 years but felt that his work-life balance had gone awry.

“I couldn’t switch off from work and it was having a negative impact on my mental health. Something had to change,” he said.

“After several months of thinking about it and worrying about taking a risk, I decided to just go for it,” he said.

Berridge said he researched several agency groups and franchises before deciding on Hays Travel because it is such a well-known brand but still had a “family feel”.

“It is a bit of a cliche but it’s almost like a family, and I haven’t met anyone who isn’t welcoming,” he said.

“The three weeks of training was intense at times – especially as I was new to travel. However, the trainer was brilliant, the training was interactive and there was plenty of time to ask questions in a very relaxed and non-judgmental or pressurised environment.”

Tanya Cooper, head of Personal Travel Consultants at Hays Travel, said: “Our New to Travel Academy is for people who have a passion for travel, but have never worked in the travel industry before.

“Jon’s sales catapulted within six weeks of joining us from teaching and he is already delivering numbers that match some of our top performers. We are delighted with his commitment and dedication, and his entrepreneurial approach to his business.

“People join our New to Travel Academy from many different sectors, including retail, high street butchers, beauty, and nursing – as well as teaching.

“Others join us from other sales industries, with a pipeline of potential customers they have built up through their social media accounts.

“Depending on whether they have their own leads, our Academy members receive a two or three-week virtual induction training programme, plus two dedicated Academy Business Development Coaches who support them through their 12-month training programme, as well as help with admin, and even holiday cover if required.

“People who get on well with people do well in travel, and those willing, like Jon, to put in the work can very quickly be running a successful business.”