Making the Magic Happen

Name: Sheila Cannon

Agency Name and Location: Carefree Romantic Vacations, Yucaipa, Calif.

Host Agency/Franchisor: OASIS Travel Network

My Former (Other) Career: Magician’s assistant

Why I Chose a Travel Career: My husband introduced me to travel on our honeymoon, as we sailed to the Caribbean on my first cruise. He had been on several cruises, working as a magician for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. I was smitten—with him and with travel!

While working with a local travel agent and adding special touches myself to our vacations, I realized I had a knack for it. Eventually, that developed into a focus on romantic trips of a lifetime for adventurous couples.

Why I Chose My Host/Franchise Network: More benefits for my clients, such as the Signature hotel program, and higher earnings for me.

My Biggest Challenge Starting Out: Figuring out how to get clients. I was on my own.

How I Solved It: I put myself out there by having a booth at local community events. Eventually, I built my client base to the point where I did not need to do that any longer.

My Greatest Challenge Right Now: Making time for marketing. Basically, I don’t. I need to reach out to local colleges to hire an intern.

What I Like Best About the Travel Business: I am always learning.

What I Hate About It: I spend way too much time in my business. I need to make more time for my husband.

How My Former Career Has Helped Me Run My Own Travel Business: In magic, I learned that a great show is built with a good beginning, a great middle and a spectacular ending. It’s true in travel, too. It’s best to save the best for last, so the vacation ends on a high note.

Why I Love What I Do: Hearing something like this recent comment from the father of a bride that I helped with her destination wedding: “The extra mile you go isn’t extra at all, it’s where you always go.”