The Investment Tiers Every Travel Advisor Should Know

In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith and Cyndi Williams unpack one of the biggest questions in the travel business today: Where should you invest to grow sustainably?

Whether you're just getting started or scaling your agency, this conversation dives into how to make smart, strategic investments—from education to tech to marketing.

You'll hear real talk about financial awareness, red flags in the industry, and how to evaluate opportunities that actually move the needle. They also share how Wander Beyond Retreat was built to offer real ROI—not just hype.

💡 Key Takeaways

• You don’t need to invest in everything—but you do need a plan.

• Knowing your numbers helps you make better decisions.

• The right education can shortcut years of trial and error.

• Not all conferences or trainings are worth the hype—evaluate ROI carefully.

• Marketing is evolving—organic alone isn’t enough anymore.

• Watch out for flashy marketing with no substance.

• Prioritize mentorship and strategy before scaling with tech.

• Tech should support your systems—not overwhelm them.

• Paid marketing isn’t optional if you want to grow.

• Mistakes are part of the journey—but so is learning from them.

🎧 Sound Bites

• “You don’t have to buy everything to be successful.”

• “Organic reach isn’t dead—but it’s not enough.”

• “We don’t just want you to feel good—we want you to grow.”

• “Strategy comes before automation.”

• “Wander Beyond was designed to give you real ROI, not just inspiration.”

  ⏱️ Episode Chapters

  00:00 – Kicking off the conversation on smart investments03:03 – What new agents really need to spend on first05:53 – How knowing your financials builds confidence08:40 – What to look for in courses, programs, and events11:39 – Red flags in industry marketing14:26 – Building an intentional investment strategy21:55 – Why so many agents get stuck in the marketing phase24:48 – How to avoid wasted spend on paid advertising28:06 – Lessons learned from marketing mistakes30:45 – Tech tools vs. tech overwhelm: finding the balance32:53 – The power of mentorship and coaching at the right time35:34 – Vetting tools, tech, and marketing partners36:26 – What makes Wander Beyond Retreat a strategic investment