Deborah Conrad

I attribute my success to my tenacity and persistence. Astrologically speaking, I'm a Cancer, and those little claws grab on and they don't let go. Being a Cancer is much more than being domestic - I mean, we care deeply for the people and are natural caregivers, but we have a very tough business side. We're in the game, and we're in it to win. I don't act my age, I don't limit myself in what I can reach for and what I can do. I just take on people and pets and keep growing. I have a positive approach - you know, there are some days that get you down and make you wonder, but I keep moving forward.

The best career advice I've ever received came from my mentor recently, who told me to live forward. Don't look back - keep living, keep moving forward. This advice has been invaluable to me, especially as I've navigated major life changes and built my business. It's my desire to live forward with my life, and to be a role model to my children and grandchildren who are watching and living my life with me.

I would say as the travel field evolves, the most important thing is to go out and experience travel for yourself. Get that first-hand experience of going places, doing things, and creating your content for your social media in your own voice - that's where it's at. You can't truly serve your clients and understand what they need unless you've been there yourself and can speak authentically about the destinations and experiences you're recommending.

The sky's the limit in my field - that's both the biggest challenge and opportunity. Challenges for me have been keeping up with technology and keeping an open mind to change, and to change myself, and to continue growing with whatever the industry dictates. The sky being the limit, I set the heights myself - I determine how much I'm going to reach. The buck stops with me, and as far as I reach is as far as I'll go. There's also competition from other home-based agencies, online agencies, people booking direct, and the up-and-coming AI where people are using that to look at their own itineraries and schedule themselves. But they miss the human touch - they miss what to do if something goes wrong, what if their flights are delayed, what if they don't get to the port on time. That's where a travel advisor adds value.

My values are being consistent, being ethical, and always showing up to do what I promised to do. These principles guide both my work and personal life. I believe in following through on my commitments and maintaining integrity in everything I do, whether it's serving my clients, caring for my family and pets, or running my business.