Do What You Love.

Now that I am a travel agent what does that mean? Lots and lots of hours of training. Each cruise line has a training program you need to run through to receive many of the perks of being a travel agent for their company.

Since this is a commission-based income, it’s similar to freelance. I make my own hours, which is 100% of what I need. This does however mean I’ve had to rethink how I work. When I work and how to keep on top of those that are looking to book travel with me. I am proud to say that I already have 2 clients and absolutely love this new path.

The answer to the question “What do you do for a living?”

Travel Agent, YouTuber (yes I’m back), Etsy shop Owner, Craft/Artisan Vendor, Amazon Merch Designer, and Freelance Designer.

When I lost my 2 part-time contract jobs a year ago, I made the choice that I was going to work for myself. I was going to devote all my energy, and my money back into doing something I love. I was going to put me in the front row. After my life as a photojournalist, I moved into the workforce that helped others build up their own businesses. I was the “go-to” person. Meaning I was the “go-ask” person in companies. I improved infrastructures, built SOPs, and developed a back-end e-commerce platform that skyrocketed a division of a company and increased revenue 400%. I was the creative mind behind advertisements, website designs and the backend brain in SEO development.

This time instead of watching someone else succeed off my knowledge, I chose to hop into the driver's seat. 

This is not easy path. I’ve had some very hard lessons over the last year. Lots of breakdowns. Moments when I just really didn’t know what direction I was heading. Wondering if I was actually making or creating something that people wanted. Everything clicked in December. Inspiration started and I found that what I was creating for Etsy was unique enough that, many times I am the only one with items like mine at events. 

Since 2019 my world has changed. I do not go to work every day to an office. I don’t have 50+ colleagues to say hi to, catch up with, or share stories. It went to phone calls, zoom meetings, text messaging, and learning 5 different apps that all “state” productivity but seem to add more work. This small change has had a significant impact to me socially and I have found that attending 2 craft events a month helps give me that same feeling. Talking with those who stop by, sharing stories, and laughing is honestly 1000% why I don’t think I ever want to stop attending events. 

What I have learned about being an artisan at Craft events.

Every show is different.

Local community events are amazing. (4H Clubs, Boy Scouts, etc)

Marketing is key to a successful event 

If it shows 1K+ interested on Facebook the event should be good.

Be different than everyone else.

Food ALWAYS ALWAYS sells

It’s a perfect place to display my Travel Agency gig.

I’ve pretty much got my craft fair business honed in and have learned quite alot. Especially when determining the types of events I plan on attending. Will my crafts ever make me a multi-millionaire? No. That is not my intention or goal. My intention is to create something that people will treasure and keep a lifetime.

My main goals for attending events:

  • Make something no one else does

  • Keep it focused around travel.

  • Earn enough to make back my table fees.

  • It needs to fit in one wagon (almost there)  — table and tent will never fit, but my items do.

  • Meet new people


Book your next getaway and Travel with Joy!

Fill out this form for a free consultation: https://forms.gle/HT4epY17JnnQHbXe9


Joy

Photographer, graphic designer, dog mom to Sawyer, Etsy shop owner, and solo traveler trying to make the most of the life I've been given. Life is too short to live in a cubicle. I get lost on backroads and share visual stories of the destinations I discover.

https://joynewcomb.com
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A Once in a lifetime Photographic Moment