Two women with no previous experience in the travel industry have each had their full £14,995 franchise fee refunded after successfully hitting their first-year sales targets — all thanks to The Travel Franchise’s exclusive Money-Back Challenge. The initiative offers new Elite franchisees the opportunity to earn back their initial investment by reaching a set commission goal within their first 12 months, effectively allowing them to start their businesses without the long-term financial outlay.
Neither of the June winners, Amy and Lori-Ann, had any previous experience in the travel sector before launching their businesses. Yet within 12 months, both not only established profitable consultancies — they met the challenge criteria and earned back their entire upfront investment.
“We created the Money Back Challenge to give franchisees a powerful focus during their first year — the period when new business owners need the most support,” said co-founder Paul Harrison. “It encourages consistency, builds confidence, and demonstrates that the model works when followed.”
The Travel Franchise reports that 98% of its franchisees have no prior travel industry background, yet many achieve six-figure sales in year one through the company’s structured training, ongoing mentorship, and marketing support.
The Elite package also includes two overseas retreats, combining professional development with real-world travel experience — a feature Amy and Lori-Ann both credit as transformative.
Both winners cited the Millionaire’s Retreat — held in Turkey and exclusive to Elite-level franchisees — as a turning point in their journeys. There, franchisees gain direct access to the company’s leadership team, receive immersive training, and build long-term peer support networks.
Lori-Ann, who previously worked in corporate sales, built her business alongside a full-time job and caring for two young children.
“I often worked late nights and weekends to make it happen,” she says. “The challenge was tough, but now I have the confidence to go full-time.”
“It doesn’t feel like a job — it feels more of a hobby than an actual job because I just love travel so much.”
Now Lori-Ann is looking forward to her next free retreat in Mauritius in the autumn.
Amy, formerly in financial services for over 15 years, leveraged local partnerships and social media to generate luxury bookings — including a £50,000 trip to the Maldives — all while working from home in rural Kent.
“The franchise is fantastic. A hundred percent. It’s always investing so much money in new technology and training and support and we get so many opportunities to broaden our knowledge.”
Her advice for anyone thinking about taking the leap?
“If travel’s your passion – don’t wait. You don’t need travel experience. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be willing to show up and follow the process. That’s what I did. And it’s been life-changing.”
With its emphasis on accessible entry, structured training, and goal-oriented incentives, The Travel Franchise is attracting a growing community of career-changers seeking freedom, flexibility, and real returns. Its success stories like Amy and Lori-Ann’s, illustrate just how viable a well-supported franchise model can be — even in a specialist sector like travel.