WOMANITION MAGAZINE Womanition2017_Magazine_ForWEB (old) | Page 85

Independent Travel Guru Mary Webber Let Me Be Your Travel Guru Failure was never an option for me. I believe that if you work hard you can do anything you want. In 1995, it was much harder to get support as a woman entrepreneur. When you own your own business you have to be self-motivated. Sometimes it’s lonely and isolated, so having connections with other women entrepreneurs, such as the Womanition group, gives you knowledge and support. My advice to new entrepreneurs is to get a mentor and use an expert in areas you know nothing about. Educate yourself so you do not become stale or complacent. Be the best that you can be and become an expert in your field. If you are not passionate, if you don’t believe in yourself or your product, then you will not succeed. I was fortunate to have jobs that I loved that increased my levels of expertise in many fields. I am a tour expert and specialize in River and Ocean Cruises, Group Coach, Europe and Women’s travel. I am a 5-time sales award winner for Globus – the only individual agent alongside AMA Travel. For 20 years I worked as a Medical Lab Technologist. In 1995, divorced at age 40 and a single mom, I left that career and bought a Florist business that I knew nothing about. I am proud of surviving those heartbreaking times – I grew strong because of it. Although I loved the flower shop, I felt confined, so when an opportunity arose, I became a sales and marketing manager which allowed me to travel extensively for business and leisure throughout the USA and Europe. I planned trade shows and marketing projects, and gave product seminars in 5 cities within 5 days – 8 times a year. As a woman business traveler and later as a single woman leisure traveler, I gained extensive knowledge of many cities and countries throughout the world. The minute I come back from a trip, I am dreaming about my next trip. I love the challenge and thrill of seeing new places and meeting interesting people. I took a number of roads less travelled to arrive at this destination. I am not just a travel agent – I am a Travel GURU! Planning trips for my clients is not work. I am thrilled to work with individuals or groups and strive to give everyone a memorable travel experience. I am grateful to do something I love every day. Let me be your travel guru because “travel should stimulate the mind, refresh the soul, excite the spirit and energize the body.” “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” –Susan Sontag Independent Travel Guru at TravelGurus.ca MARY WEBBER Phone 587-410-3765 [email protected] www.travelgurugirl.com https://www.facebook.com/travelgurugirl/ linkedin.com/in/mary-webber-8685b710/ Twitter: @mary_webber 83