Does Disney Work with ICs? What to Ask a Prospective HA? Going into Business with a Friend?

In episode 140 Steph co-hosts with Christine Hardenberger of Modern Travel Professionals. They tackle the following questions, all about getting started or starting fresh with a new agency this week: 

Here's this week's questions:

1. I'm a new-ish agent, under 3 years' experience, and I have been entertaining the idea of venturing out on my own. I am currently with a host agency. I am curious about some suppliers, specifically Disney and Universal's criteria for 'accepting' a new agency. I don't want to leave my host agency if I won't be accepted to sell Disney and Universal, as these are the two I primarily sell. And how do I start the process to apply? I can't seem to find any contact information for applying to sell these suppliers. --New Agent

2. I'm thinking of switching agencies. How does that process work? What should I be asking the new host? --Anonymous

3. My best friend and I are wanting to look at becoming travel agents together as a side job. We both work full-time day jobs. Do you know if any of your agencies cater to joint ventures? She has traveled much more than me and knows a lot about Carnival / Princess Cruises. Although cruising is what we would like to focus on, we would love to learn more about what we need to do to get started. --Anonymous

Resources:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation (Travel Agency Accreditation options for if you’re going on your own, without a host agency)

https://www.disneytravelagents.com/ (Disney Travel Agents website portal)

https://www.universalpartnercommunity.com/s/login/SelfRegister?language=en_US (Universal Studios Travel Agent website portal)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider (5 things to consider when switching host agencies)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (10 things to look for in your host agency contract)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-industry-lawyer-list (List of travel industry specific attorneys) 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency (Tips on finding the best host agency for you)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts (List where you can use filters to search if they accept sub agents)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator (7 Day Setup Accelerator Course)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-lite (7 Day Setup LITE Course)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/modern-travel-professionals (Modern Travel Professional’s HAR profile)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/hostweek (Register for Host Week! It’s free. It’s fun. It’s full of info to grow your agency!)

We do this every week! If you have travel industry questions, HAR likely has an answer :) Submit your burning question here: https://har.news/Friday15 and join us this Friday (and every Friday!) at 12CT for travel agent tips!