Bliss to Abundance: Planning for Travel Business Success in 2026
Introduction & Personal Updates
Podcast Return After Hiatus
Cindy's Challenging Fall:
- Spent most of fall in Michigan with family
- Mother passed away at end of October
- Navigated hospice journey
- Supported bonus dad through difficult time
- Now relocated to Florida with bonus dad
- Entering new season personally and professionally
Kelly's Thanksgiving Reflection:
- Last year: Working hospital shift on Thanksgiving (two broken hips and gallbladder surgery)
- This year: Making chocolate chip pie for seven-year-old Bea
- Powerful reminder of lifestyle transformation through entrepreneurship
Theme: Reflecting on 2025 & Preparing for 2026
Why December Matters
Perfect Time for Reflection:
- Reviewing what transpired in businesses during past year
- Getting clear on what to leave in 2025
- Deciding what to take forward into 2026
- Moving forward with intention
- Focusing on family and gratitude
- Planning with purpose
Key Mindset: "Sometimes the days are long and the years are short, especially when you have kids. But showing up and being present matters more than the presents under the tree."
The Power of Entrepreneurship: Real Stories
Cindy's Journey
Early Years (30+ Years in Travel):
- Started in 1993 (traditional brick-and-mortar model)
- Transitioned to home-based entrepreneur
- Built Wanderlust Campus
- Named Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company (2024)
Tough Times:
- 2008 recession: "Pay all the staff, hopefully buy pizza on Friday"
- Not rich in money, but "so rich in life"
- Never missed children's activities
- Always present for ballet recitals, school pickups, drop-offs
2024 Personal Experience:
- Spent entire fall in Michigan with dying mother
- Corporate job would never allow three-month leave
- Husband's support: "Avail yourself to your mother, take as much time as you need"
- "No do-overs on certain things in life"
- Freedom to prioritize what truly matters
Current Success:
- High school-aged kids
- Daughter Bella "off in the world"
- Business running smoothly
- Life built around family priorities
Kelly's Transformation
Before:
- Hospital shifts on holidays
- Missing family moments
- Trading time for corporate schedules
After:
- Picks up kids from school every day
- Present for all family activities
- Disney cruise experiences with family
- Making pies instead of working shifts
Son's Perspective (Cannot Remember Christmas Gifts):
- #1 Favorite thing: "Mom picks me up from school every day"
- #2 Favorite thing: Disney cruise experiences and mom showing up
Common New Student Motivations
Why People Start Travel Businesses
Freedom & Flexibility:
- More freedom in life
- Show up for kids' activities
- Stop asking permission for vacation
- Stop trading life days for someone else's company
- Build something of their own
Financial Goals:
- Add revenue stream
- Create college funds
- Earn extra $1,000-$5,000+ monthly
- Replace current job income
- Build financial security
Economic Realities & Mindset
Addressing Current Challenges
2024 Has Been Difficult:
- Economic shifts
- Travel industry struggles
- TSA issues and travel complications
- Uncertainty and fear
Important Perspective:
- Tough years happen in corporate AND business
- Travel industry always has cycles (30+ year pattern)
- Industry always loops back
- People with money continue traveling regardless of economy
Business Backup Strategy:
- Multiple income streams provide security
- When one business falters, another supports
- Luxury travel clients maintain spending
- Diversification creates stability
Framework for Success: Moving from Hobby to Business
Step 1: Start with Gratitude
Why Gratitude First:
- Impossible to be in state of gratitude AND fear simultaneously
- Fear prevents action in business
- Gratitude enables forward movement
- Creates positive foundation for planning
Application:
- List everything you're grateful for
- Acknowledge blessings of current situation
- Recognize "This is my job" as privilege
- Build from place of abundance, not scarcity
Step 2: Get Crystal Clear on Your Vision
Beyond Simple Goal Setting:
Create Your Perfect Day Movie:
- What does life look like one year from now?
- How do you start your day?
- What happens from dusk until dawn?
- Who are you with?
- What are you doing?
True Wealth Definition: "Do you have the ability to wake up in the morning and not take your coffee in a to-go cup?"
Cindy's Morning Routine:
- Sitting room in home
- Leisurely coffee (not to-go cup)
- Mindset work
- Abundance routine
- Easing into the day
Kelly's Perfect Day:
- Dropping kids off at school
- Travel business work in between
- Picking kids up from school
- Present for all activities
The Mayan Circle Philosophy:
Imagine sitting in center of a clock, but instead of time, numbers 1-12 represent different life possibilities:
- You have ability to step into any reality
- Currently living one possibility
- Can pivot to different direction
- Choose which reality to step into
- Leave "crappy but comfortable" for bigger vision
Important Distinction:
- This isn't "dreaming" — it's PLANNING
- Not lies to yourself — exploring possibilities
- Not wishful thinking — intentional visioning
- Getting subconscious to believe it's possible
Step 3: Goal Mapping Workshop
Wanderlust Campus Free Resource:
- One-hour workshop
- Available at Wanderless-CEO.com
- Free account includes monthly resources
- Also available on YouTube channel
The Process:
Life Assessment (10-12 Categories):
- Giving back/charity
- Learning and growth
- Time management
- Business success
- Marriage/relationships
- Family time
- Health and fitness
- Downtime/recreation
- Financial health
- Personal development
- Community involvement
- Creative pursuits
Self-Ranking Exercise:
- Rate yourself in each category
- Identify areas of imbalance
- Recognize what's working
- Spot what needs attention
Finding Your Primary Goal:
The goal you're most out of balance with is usually:
- What you want most
- What's hardest to achieve
- What you've been avoiding
- What will impact everything else
Cindy's Example (Personal):
- Goal appeared for three years: "Get healthy"
- Wanted result but hated the work
- Knew it would create energy for CEO role
- Knew it would help with being best mom
- Didn't discuss publicly, just took action
- Started working out and dieting
- Husband's medical episode (February) reinforced urgency
- Result: Lost 80 pounds in 2024
- Still working toward goal
- Celebrating with new wardrobe (not cake!)
Key Insight: "Whatever that one goal is, when you fix it, everything else gets better."
Step 4: Build Your Action Wheel
The Wheel Approach:
Center: Your Primary Goal
- Example: "Sell $1 million in travel"
- Example: "Lose 50 pounds"
- Example: "Improve marriage"
- Example: "Get serious about travel business"
Spokes (10 Subtasks):
For Health Goal:
- Join Weight Watchers
- Download tracking app
- Weekly weigh-ins (accountability)
- Remove junk food from house
- Meal prep schedule
- Exercise routine
- Track progress
- Find accountability partner
- Schedule rest days
- Plan celebrations
For $1 Million Travel Sales Goal:
- Improve marketing skills
- Fix sales conversion process
- Attract more qualified clients
- Get systems in order
- Create work-life balance
- Learn automation tools
- Develop lead generation
- Master niche expertise
- Build email sequences
- Track KPIs properly
Critical Mindset: "The only difference between a goal and a dream is the ACTION. If you're not doing anything to work towards it, it's a dream. If you're doing the work, it's a goal."
Step 5: Self-Audit (No Judgment Zone)
Honest Assessment:
- No one's watching
- No one will judge
- Identify real problems
- Face uncomfortable truths
Travel Business Example Questions:
- Why didn't I hit $1 million this year?
- Am I converting at proper level?
- Do I have enough leads coming in?
- Are my systems working?
- Is my marketing effective?
- Do I have work-life balance?
Important Truth: "These are all SOLVABLE PROBLEMS, but they won't be solved unless you take action to fix them."
Step 6: Celebrate Your Wins
Why Celebration Matters:
- Reinforces positive behavior
- Creates motivation
- Marks progress
- Makes journey enjoyable
Celebration Examples:
Personal:
- New wardrobe (Cindy's choice)
- Black Friday shopping sprees
- Chanel and Coach purchases
- Donating old clothes
- Physical transformation recognition
Travel Business Success:
- Family trip to Australia
- Return to Hawaii
- Paris vacation
- New house
- New car
- College fund for kids
- Financial freedom
Calculate the Impact:
If you sell $1 million in travel:
- Earn $100,000-$140,000 in commissions
- Changes family lifestyle
- Provides security
- Creates opportunities
- Builds future
Visualization: "How does this change how we live? What can we do for our family? What's the impact?"
Energy Management: The Taylor Swift Philosophy
Controlling What You Can Control
Quote on Kelly's Wall: "Think of your energy as if it's expensive, as if it's a luxury item. Not everyone or everything can afford it."
What You CANNOT Control:
- Other people's reactions
- Other people's opinions
- Outside circumstances
- Parents' health issues
- Economy
- Industry challenges
- What others think of your dreams
What You CAN Control:
- Where you place your energy
- Your response to circumstances
- Your action steps
- Your commitment level
- Your learning
- Your growth
Common Discouragement:
People may tell you:
- "Not worth investing in yourself"
- "Wait until you've made money first"
- "Not the right time"
- "Too risky"
- "You should stay safe"
Reality Check: "The dream isn't for them. That's why they're not excited about it."
Business Owner Mindset Shifts
Understanding Resistance
Why Others Don't Cheer:
- Dream isn't for them
- They don't understand the vision
- Sometimes it's misguided love/caution
- They're projecting their own fears
- They can't see what you see
Cindy's Experience: "I can't tell you how many times people thought Wanderlust Campus would never work. Now we're an Inc. 5000 company."
Kelly's Experience: "I convinced myself there wasn't a big enough niche to only focus on travel industry marketing. I was wrong. That's exactly what I did, and that's when I really started growing."
Key Lesson: "Stop letting yourself convince yourself of small things."
Mel Robbins Approach: "Let them think what they want to think, but hold my beer and watch what happens."
Mindset Work & Intentional Living
Corporate Success Secrets
Cindy's Corporate Background:
- Succession planning role
- Coached high-level executives
- Prepared leaders for advancement
- Witnessed top performer practices
Universal Truth: "All millionaires and billionaires have some type of intention-setting process working behind the scenes."
Different Names, Same Concept:
- Mindset work
- Intentional coaching
- Top-level coaching
- Executive development
- Success planning
- Vision work
How Mindset Work Functions
The Subconscious Key: "Once your subconscious believes it's possible, everything starts to unfold for you."
Wanderlust Campus Approach:
- Mindset work included FREE in all programs
- "How to build your business" is paid content
- Coaching and mentoring as bonuses
- Teaching leverage of mindset for higher levels
- Stepping into new realities
Student Success Stories:
Skeptic Transformations:
- "I did it because it was part of the bonuses"
- "Oh my gosh, let me tell you what happened"
- Leaving jobs within months
- $200,000 in sales in couple months
- "Craziest stuff" when people get clear and take action
The Process:
- Get clear on what you want
- Things fall into place
- Start taking action
- Results follow
Wanderlust Campus Updates & Resources
New Features for December 2024
1. Marketing Modules Overhaul (COV Alumni)
Modules 4-6 Major Updates:
- Complete refresh with current strategies
- Marketing information changes daily
- Algorithms constantly evolving
- 2026-ready tactics
- Updated best practices
How to Access:
- Log into Careers on Vacation
- Progress bar may move backwards (by design)
- Unchecked items = new content
- Watch what you haven't completed
- Can click off if desired (but don't skip learning!)
2. Skills Lab Launch ★ NEW
Exclusive to Careers on Vacation Students:
Individual Course Offerings:
Social Media Sessions (Kelly):
- Never "finished" (continuously updated)
- Updates with every platform release
- Current strategies and changes
- Platform-specific tactics
- Real-time industry shifts
Video Boot Camp:
- Video creation skills
- Editing techniques
- Platform optimization
- Content strategy
Expedition Mindset:
- Mental frameworks
- Success psychology
- Overcoming obstacles
- Growth mindset development
Additional Courses:
- Multiple specialized trainings
- Ongoing additions
- Comprehensive skill building
3. WanderBots: AI Practice Models ★ REVOLUTIONARY
What Are WanderBots:
- Custom AI learning models
- Input with Wanderlust formulas
- Trained on company workflows
- Different client personalities
- Skills practice tool
Meet the WanderBots:
Budget Brenda:
- Price-conscious client
- Needs value demonstration
- Requires clear ROI
- Budget negotiation practice
Happy Hilda:
- Enthusiastic client
- Easy to work with
- Positive interactions
- Relationship building
Grumpy Greta:
- Difficult client simulation
- Complaint handling
- Conflict resolution
- Delicate conversation practice
And More Personalities:
- Various client types
- Real-world scenarios
- Different challenge levels
Why This Matters:
Skills Practice Philosophy: "We have to get you good at the skills so you can do your job well and you can make more money, period."
Unique in Travel Education:
- Other companies: E-training only
- Wanderlust: Live classes + on-demand + AI practice
- Combination approach
- Real skill development
Especially Valuable For:
Younger Generations:
- May never have had phone job
- Limited customer service experience
- No front-facing service background
- Building confidence from scratch
All Students:
- Practice different client scenarios
- Build confidence
- Develop skills
- Prepare for real situations
How to Use WanderBots:
Practice Modes:
- Voice Mode: Talk back and forth in real-time
- Typing Mode: Time to think, craft responses
Training Features:
- Know company best practices
- Understand proper client interaction
- Follow correct sales process
- Provide appropriate responses
Lifetime Access:
- Don't go away after graduation
- Use for new situations
- Practice delicate conversations
- Prepare for challenging clients
- Build skills continuously
Example Use Cases:
- Upcoming difficult client conversation
- Want to practice worst-case scenario
- Need to think through responses
- Build confidence before real call
Certification Program Information
Unique Wanderlust Campus Value:
Lifetime Access Policy: "We are the ONLY educational company that when you earn your certification, anything we release, upgrade, change, or refresh, you get access to that for lifetime of the program."
No Recertification Fees:
- Other certifications: Recharge and retest
- Wanderlust: May retest but NO CHARGE
- "The hill I stand on"
- Trust rewarded with no hidden costs
Why This Matters: "If you trust us with your journey, you won't have to have those extra costs built into your career."
Important Tuition Announcement
Upcoming Price Increase:
- First increase in 3-4 years
- Starting SECOND QUARTER 2026
- Costs are rising across the board
- Live program with live teachers
- Access to experts and resources
Action Steps:
- Pick your start dates NOW
- Get deposits in before Q2 2026
- Commit to class
- Lock in current pricing
- Budget for 2026 investment
Free Resources Available
Wanderless-CEO.com:
- Complimentary account
- Free resources of the month
- Goal mapping workshop
- Master class
- Global calendar of educational sessions
What You Get Free:
- Monthly new resources
- Community access
- Foundational learning
- Industry updates
- Educational content
Live Class Example: Disney Social Media Guidelines
Kelly's Favorite Class to Teach:
- Teaching to students during recording
- Practical, applicable skills
- Platform-specific guidance
- Real-world scenarios
Demonstrates:
- Regular live instruction
- Ongoing student engagement
- Current, relevant content
- Expert-led learning
Monthly Content Plan: December 2024
"Prepping Your 2026" Series
Weekly Episodes Throughout December:
- Getting clear (this episode)
- Industry trends for 2026
- Marketing strategies
- Sales tactics
- Business systems
- Goal achievement
Purpose: Help travel entrepreneurs enter 2026 prepared, focused, and ready to scale their businesses from hobby to professional level.
Key Takeaways & Action Steps
Immediate Actions for Listeners
1. Reflection Exercise:
- What are you grateful for?
- What worked in 2025?
- What didn't work?
- What needs to change?
2. Vision Creation:
- Design your perfect day
- Dusk to dawn details
- Who, what, where, when
- Make it tangible
3. Goal Mapping:
- Access free workshop
- Complete life assessment
- Identify primary goal
- Create action wheel
4. Take Action:
- Choose 2-3 key goals maximum
- Build subtask lists
- Start accountability system
- Schedule celebration points
5. Invest in Education:
- Create free Wanderlust account
- Explore resources
- Consider certification
- Lock in current pricing
Podcast Mission
Cindy's Purpose Statement: "My purpose in life is to help people follow their bliss to abundance."
How This Manifests:
- Educating travel entrepreneurs
- Providing frameworks for success
- Sharing real stories
- Offering practical tools
- Building supportive community
- Enabling lifestyle freedom
Final Inspiration
The Reality of Entrepreneurship
It's Hard Work:
- Long days
- Difficult years
- Constant learning
- Ongoing challenges
But It's Worth It:
- Present for family
- Build something your own
- Create freedom
- Make impact
- Live intentionally
- Choose your priorities
The Choice: "You are trading days of your life to build someone else's company, OR you can build your own and create the life you actually want to live."
Contact & Resources
Wanderlust Campus:
- Website: TravelSchool.com
- Free Account: Wanderless-CEO.com
- Podcast: Bliss to Abundance
- YouTube: Wanderlust Campus channel
- Instagram: Follow for updates
Hosts:
- Cindy Williams: CEO & Founder
- Kelly: Marketing Expert & Content Creator