I have been with Groupit since January 2017 and Stacey is AH.MAZE.ZING.! I was previously hosted by KHM, which was good to get me started in the travel biz, but I wanted a smaller host that could give me more hands-on development. Stacey and Groupit have delivered!
This may not be the right fit for you if you're an absolute beginner to the travel business and have never run your own business before, as Groupit's regular training webinars and travel agent portal focus on making you a BETTER travel agent, rather than how to be a travel agent in the first place. If you are green and are willing to put in the work on your own to learn the mechanics of the business (i.e. the base selling skills to be an agent and back end administration for your business), then Stacey will take you and rocket you to be an even better agent!
The best thing about this host is, because it's small, the Groupit "family" really prop each other up with encouragement and tips via the very active agents-only Facebook page. And, of course, Stacey is totally accessible and highly responsive, always with sage advice and encouragement. She wants us all to succeed and it's clear that is her top priority.
If you're like me and only do the travel biz part-time nights and weekends and have a day job, then Groupit is the host for you. Stacey is often available during non-traditional hours and training webinars for suppliers and destinations are in the evenings.
Groupit also has a more well-rounded approach to travel destinations. My previous host, and many others that I looked at when I had planned on switching, seemed to focus on all-inclusive Mexico/Caribbean destinations and ocean cruises. There's nothing wrong with that, and I still do some selling on those fronts, but my focus is more international land trips to Europe and South America. Groupit's webinars with suppliers are much more varied and hits a lot more worldwide destinations, which is something I have found eminently helpful and truly enhances my skills by introducing me to new suppliers and giving me better insights and selling skills with suppliers I was already using.
You need to "fit" with your host-agency and know that they have your back when the going-gets-tough. Groupit and I fit like a glove and I know that Stacey and the rest of the Groupit crew always have my back!
I have been in the industry for three years. I am relatively new and learning. Groupit Travel is my 3rd host agency. I met Stacey as an agent with my first host agency, and she was the go-to girl for support and resources. When I learned that she had a host agency, it was a natural move.
This year I made the switch to Stacey because I felt that she could help me in a way that no other host agency could. Stacey is incredibly organized. The agent portal makes sense; you need a particular vendor look for the name and everything you need at your fingertips. There is no guessing what your commission could be, should be, or might be.
Support from office staff, agents and Stacey is a phone call or email away. Your questions are answered professionally and promptly. If you are upset about something, there is no going to bed until you have talked it out. Stacey is about mutual respect and making sure agents feel supported.
As a new agent in a specialized niche, Stacey has encouraged me to keep focused, given me ideas and mentored me like no other host agency has. She is like a momma bear, caring, compassionate but knows the only way you can be successful is encouraging you to do it. Stacey offers suggestions but it is your business and guidance is a gift.
Stacey provides the tools you need to be a success. A CRM to manage clients and the documents that are required is included. You have access to a portal for your vendor information. Training and support through suppliers and peer supports. And what I like a list of trips that are ready to sell.
