Travel Advisor Success Story: Shana O’Mara, Pixie Travel

Shana O’Mara (Source: Shana O’Mara)

Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Shana O’Mara, owner of Pixie Travel

How did you get your start as a travel advisor?

I had been self-employed for a few years when I decided to go into travel. I knew I loved working for myself but hadn’t found that passion yet. A good friend, who eventually became my business partner, planted the seed by noting, ‘You should do this for a living,’ after I helped coordinate flights and hotels and saved her money.

A few months later, I decided to apply to an agency as an independent contractor. I didn’t get the interview, despite having an MBA and a great network. I took that opportunity to jump in headfirst and start my own agency. This was 2016 and I haven’t looked back!

How did you build your business over the years?

I credit our social media presence with building our business. We had a consistent presence from the beginning, working with a social media manager to help ensure we had a clear brand and message. Today, we have over 28,000 followers across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This presence, along with referrals from our loyal guests, has helped to grow our business over the years.  

What characteristics make you a successful advisor?

I have a background in counseling and business with a master’s degree in both areas. I love that this field allows me to use business skills daily. More importantly, I’ve focused on surrounding myself with the best people. My business partner and best friend is my perfect compliment. She has skills in areas I don’t and vice versa. We rely on each other often. We also focus on bringing in the best planners to balance out our team.

What have been your greatest challenges been?

Like most agencies, 2020 was an incredible challenge. At the time that COVID hit, we had just had our $1 million sales year, and over 90 percent of our business was Disneyland. Disneyland closed for over 16 months, so the impact was immense. Together with my business partner and our amazing marketing director, we focused on destinations that were reopening and were able to rebuild our business from the ground up.

What have your greatest accomplishments been?

In the last year, we earned Disney Earmarked status. In addition, we are on our third year as an ALG Vacations Elite Diamond agency. I love these accomplishments because we are an independent agency with only 12 planners. I always want our focus to be on exceptional service for our guests and upholding that is the thing I am most proud of.

What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?

Take every training and travel, travel, travel. Getting to new destinations is what saved our business in 2020. We still focus on that, with a ‘we know because we go’ mindset. We are always expanding and always learning.

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