If there were ever a time to switch to working from home, now would be it. After all, in the United States, an estimated 26% of the workforce is working remotely this year. If you work within the travel industry, is this transition feasible?
Fortunately, there are many ways to make working from home a realistic goal, starting with your Florida travel agency license. We’ve outlined everything you need to know in the sections below.
Step One: Obtain a Travel Agency License in Your State
In some states, you don’t need a license to become a travel agent. But in Florida, you definitely do. You also need a travel agency license if you work from any of the following states:
- California
- Hawaii
- Delaware
- Iowa
- Washington
Fortunately, it’s not hard to become licensed, especially if you use resources like The License Company LLC. Just be willing to put in a little time and money to make it happen.
Step Two: Set Up a Home Office
All successful businesses require a workspace that is conducive to productivity. If you plan to work from home, that principle still applies. Even if you have a small living space, it’s not hard to set aside a dedicated work area.
Make sure you have everything on the following checklist, and you will be good to go:
- Access to the internet
- A laptop or desktop computer
- A desk or table for holding the computer
- A headset so you can work and speak with clients
- A printer
- A phone line
It’s also vital that you have dedicated work hours in which you can expect peace and quiet throughout the house.
Step Three: Start a Blog or Website
If you want to work independently via your own business, you will also need to invest in self-marketing. Fortunately, in the era of social media, this can also be done from home. However, marketing yourself takes time; you can’t spend half an hour on Twitter and expect that to be enough.
We recommend that you create a blog or website. That way, you can establish your company as an authority and make it easier for clients to find you. If it makes sense for your business, it may even be wise to settle on a travel niche, like Disneyland trips or European tours.
Step Four: Continue Your Education
The travel industry is constantly changing, especially during these difficult times. To establish your business as an authority, you will want to continue your education throughout the years to come. Part of this process includes renewing your Florida travel agency license when the time comes, or whichever state you have your license in. You may also take a college class or online course from time to time.
Step Five: Take Care of Yourself
Your business will certainly fail if you forget to follow this last and important step. After all, how could your company continue without you? There is no doubt that running your own business is a demanding prospect. So, take the time to practice self-care as the days, weeks, months, and years go on.