We recently connected with Alison Galloway and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alison, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
It took a long time for me to find my purpose. I got married and had children very early on in my life. While I love being a wife and a mom, it felt like something was missing that gave me a complete sense of fulfillment. I knew I wanted to be my own boss and I went through what I felt like was MANY different jobs: wedding planner, designer, photographer, MLM type businesses, baker, you name it, I probably tried it. I wasn’t until I had my third child that I realized I was trying to do too much. I had a lot of skills, but was a master of none. I narrowed down my businesses and travel advisor was one that stuck.
Even after I narrowed down what I wanted to stick with, I still felt like I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do. It wasn’t until last month, actually, that I discovered what my niche would be and I finally feel like I have figured out my purpose in the travel business.
A few years ago, I re-found my love for reading again. I would always talk about books and even got some of my friends back into reading. One day it just clicked to bring my two passions together. Travel and reading. I have begun to create itineraries where you visit these destinations that are written about in these stories.
This was a long winded answer that basically it was a lot of trial and error. I had to try something to realize it wasn’t for me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I became an independent contractor travel advisor with FDV Global in January of 2016 because of my love for Disney. I thought it would be just a hobby for me. I got to talk about what I was interested in and got paid for it. Later that same year, I gave birth to my third child, so this job remained a hobby for a few years. It wasn’t until 2019 that this hobby started to become a full-time career. What started out as a love for Disney has grown into a love for all travel.
As a travel advisor, I play many roles. I can do as little or as much of the planning process as my clients would like. I search destinations, formulate quotes, do the bookings, create itineraries, and really cater to what my clients want. Each client’s needs are different and I have to take that into account when planning their trips. I try to do as much as possible for my clients so all they have to do is pack their bags and show up. I can help anyone with any type of trip but, as I mentioned earlier, I just realized what my niche would be based on trial and error.
Not only am I a travel advisor but I am also a wedding photographer. For years, I would combine my travel business and photography business and specialized in destination weddings and honeymoons. While I love all things weddings, something about reading and books has really drawn me in.
I am just in the beginning process of changing my niche and I have never been so excited about something. I am creating “Live the Story” travel itineraries that are based around and focused on books.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Never give up, never stop learning, and be passionate about what you are doing. These seem pretty self explanatory, but I can not stress them enough.
Nothing in life ever comes easy, there are going to be days that you want to quit. I know, I’ve been there many times. Continuing to fight for what you want is going to make you stand out and give yourself more sense of fulfillment knowing how hard it was to get to where you are.
In the travel industry specifically, things are constantly changing. There’s a new product we need to learn about, technology is adapting, and we need to keep an open mind and change with the times. There is an unlimited amount of resources out there for you and it will be overwhelming. Take it one step at a time, and really learn all you can.
While passion doesn’t pay the bills, it will be the number one thing that keeps you going. If you are not passionate about what you are doing, why do it in the first place? We have one life we get to live, why waste it not doing what fuels you?
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
The past 12 months have been mentally really hard on me. My family and I have uprooted our lives and moved across the country. I essentially had to restart my business from scratch in a new town where I didn’t know anyone. I catch myself in the comparison game a lot. I’ve been doing this for 7 and a half years now and I feel like I should be further along in my journey than I am. Giving myself grace has been one of the biggest growth areas for me. Which sounds so simple, but as an enneagram 3, and someone who is very achievement focused, not being where I want to be is a hard pill to swallow. While I might not have a lot of growth and improvements in the business aspect, my self awareness and my personal mental health has really been the biggest focus for me this last year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fdvglobal.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/diamondsandpassports
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/diamondsandpassports
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-galloway-123106179/
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/diamondsandpassports
Image Credits
Main Photo – Alaina Rene Photography
