Cathy Croft
Cathy Croft is a seasoned travel advisor and insurance professional based in Santa Fe, Texas. With a career spanning more than 27 years in the travel industry, she built her expertise after initially enrolling in travel school and quickly deciding to launch her own business. Early in her career, she purchased a Dream Vacations franchise, choosing entrepreneurship over working as an associate agent. Since then, she has developed a thriving practice rooted in personalized service and long-term client relationships.
Throughout her career, Cathy has specialized in cruise planning and land-based travel experiences, helping clients design trips tailored to their preferences and needs. Her business has grown largely through referrals and repeat clients, reflecting her reputation for reliability, attention to detail, and consistent service quality. In addition to her travel work, she also serves as an Insurance Account Representative with Rust Ewing Insurance, bringing added expertise in property and commercial insurance coverage.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Cathy is deeply involved in community service and volunteer work. She has contributed for decades to organizations such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she has held long-term volunteer roles, as well as local charitable and fundraising initiatives. Her professional philosophy centers on continuous learning, collaboration with industry partners, and delivering the highest level of service, which has helped her maintain lasting client relationships throughout her career.
• Travel Certification
• Certified Cruise Counsellor
• Lifetime Member of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Mardi Gras Crew
• Chamber of Commerce
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Alzheimer's Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to client referrals and word of mouth - that's been my biggest driver over the years. Just yesterday, a client I hadn't heard from in 5 years somehow found me again and reached out because she wants to do business with me. I had a long talk with her, and moments like that are just amazing to me. The other key to my success has been non-stop learning. I always say I learn something new every day, not just in the travel industry, but in general. The biggest thing is you should never stop learning something and expanding your knowledge. I also believe that hard work pays off. When I think about my most notable achievement, it's not one specific thing - it's the consistent hard work and dedication that has built my reputation and brought clients back to me time and time again.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most important pieces of advice I received early in my career was about charging a fee for my services. Being a travel agent is very competitive, and people are constantly trying to pick your brain on the internet, asking questions while planning to DIY their trips anyway. I learned that I need to charge for my expertise and knowledge, because I know destinations, I have a large network of travel agent partners and suppliers I can reach out to, and I bring real value. You can't always know everything about every single thing, but collaboration with other professionals in the network is huge. The advice to value my expertise and charge appropriately for it has been essential to building a sustainable business.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the travel industry is this: I'm always there to answer their questions, and the most important thing is don't get overwhelmed. There are so many things out there in this industry, but you need to start small and get a niche or an understanding of one thing first. Let's say you want to learn about cruising or about land travel - pick one to focus on initially. You can't know everything about everything immediately. It takes time to build that knowledge and expertise. So start with one area, master it, and then expand from there. Don't try to do it all at once or you'll get overwhelmed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the travel industry right now is navigating constant changes, including fluctuating regulations, pricing, and global uncertainties. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity for travel advisors to provide personalized, high-touch service and expert guidance that travelers increasingly value.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family is my most important value - it's everything to me. In my work, doing the best job that I possibly can for my clients is what drives me. The level of service and expertise I provide is the most notable and important thing to me professionally. I want either referrals from other people or repeat customers, because that's how you grow your business and it shows you're delivering real value. On the personal side, my family comes first, and I've always tried to balance the demands of running my own business with being present for the people I love. My daughters raised pigs and cows when they were younger, and now my granddaughters, who are 7 and 9, have chickens - we call them the chicken mamas. They're learning the responsibility of taking care of live animals, whether it's a dog, cat, or livestock, and I love being part of teaching them those values.