Links:

Cookie Shop in Amsterdam: https://vanstapele.com/en/home/ 

Dive into niching in Commission with a Comma: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/commission-with-a-comma 

Learn my Help and Release method in Propose to Close: https://thetraveladvisormarcie.com/propose-to-close-course 

Use PODCAST11 to save 11% on my Signature Courses

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If you’ve ever told someone when they ask you what you do as a travel agent that you “sell everything,” this episode is your official intervention. I’m walking you through the real definition of niching, why generalists burn out faster than someone who has focus and how I went from booking 239 destination weddings (yes, really) to becoming an Italy-obsessed luxury specialist who wakes up excited to do this work again.

Let’s get down to the business of niching:

• How to know when you're ready to niche (hint: your stomach already knows).
  • Why “Europe specialist,” “groups,” and “luxury” are NOT niches.
  • How niching makes you referable, profitable, and peaceful instead of panicked.
  • The cookie shop in Amsterdam that sells ONE cookie and has a line down the damn street and what that teaches you about becoming KNOWN.
  • How I phased out destination weddings over three years without tanking my income (and how YOU can pivot without blowing up your business).
  • The “help and release” method and how to stop apologizing for evolving as a business owner.
  • Why passion + clarity = visibility, better clients, and a way more sustainable business.
  • A full “niche intersection” writing exercise to help you figure out what the hell you actually WANT to sell.

This episode is for the advisor who’s ready to stop chasing every client, every destination, every lead — and start building a business they actually f*cking love.

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Other links:

Italian Tourist Board Training: https://www.italia.it/en 

Ultimate Jet Vacations (Italy webinars + luxury vendor trainings): https://www.ultimatejetvacations.com/

Your Travel Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximizeyourtravelagentbusiness 

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EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome Back / Who I Am Now
Recovering people-pleaser, burnout survivor, Italy-obsessed CEO era unlocked.

02:20 – Why “I Sell Everything” Is a Red Flag
And why it’s wasting your time, money, energy, and sanity.

06:11 – The Gut Check: How You Know You’re Ready to Niche
Spoiler: your stomach has been screaming at you for years.

10:40 – What Niching Actually Means in the Travel Industry
And why 90% of advisors are completely misunderstanding it.

14:55 – The Amsterdam Cookie Shop That Proves the Point
One cookie. Line out the door. Lesson delivered.

20:02 – Pivoting Without Panic: My 3-Year Exit from Destination Weddings
239 weddings → zero. What changed, why it mattered, and how income DIDN’T collapse.

29:14 – My Love Story With Italy
How one trip flipped the switch and confirmed my passion-led niche.

36:22 – Passion as a Sales Strategy
If you can talk about it for three hours without breathing, THAT’S your niche.

40:18 – How to Write Your Niche Intersection
The 3-column activity that will change your business.

46:40 – Real Niche Examples (Italy, Caribbean, USA, Destination Weddings)
Steal these structures and plug in your niche.

52:10 – Scarcity Mindset, Imposter Syndrome & Why You’re Freaking Out
Fear is loud, but passion is louder.

58:33 – The Power of Saying “My Business Model Has Shifted”
A masterclass in confident communication.

1:04:20 – Why Passion Beats Hustle Every Single Time
And why generalists burn out.

1:08:55 – Final Pep Talk + My Ask
Downloads are down. Your girl needs five-star reviews to live.

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