Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Self.
Hi Brad, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For the past 10 years, I have been a corporate learning and development professional. I worked at Fortune 500 companies, leading training teams and developing and facilitating training curricula. All of that changed at the end of 2023, when I was laid off as part of a corporate restructuring.
After two years, hundreds of applications, dozens of interviews, and zero job offers, I decided to bet on myself and start my own travel consulting business. A friend of mine had done this several years ago and is quite successful today. With my background in customer support and L&D, and my love of travel, I felt this was a great fit.
I started my LLC last year and signed up with a host agency, officially launching Bloom & Co. Travel Booking LLC at the end of January.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The mental toll that chronic unemployment takes is very significant and very real. Some days, you’re filled with hope that all it takes is just one more application or one more webinar to turn things around. Other days, you find yourself screaming at the clouds, asking, “Why me?” Through the support of family and friends and self-care, I’ve been able to weather some pretty heavy storms.
I had no experience in running a small business or as a travel agent. However, because of my professional background, I value learning. So, I signed up with a host agency that has extensive travel agent training and business coaching. I have a team of seasoned travel agents who are vested in the success of my travel agency. My travel agent buddy has been a great guide and sounding board, as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bloom & Co. Travel Booking LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I named the business Bloom & Co. Travel Booking for very specific reasons. In adult learning methodology, there is a framework called Bloom’s Taxonomy that outlines how we learn, from basic knowledge and understanding to critical evaluation and the application of transferable skills to new experiences. “Bloom” also evokes imagery of growth in nature. I firmly believe that people can learn a great deal about the people and world around them and expand their worldview through travel.
Also, very few of us experience travel completely alone. Whether you’re traveling by plane, ship, train, or whatever, you’re going to meet some of the most amazing people who are all working together to provide an amazing experience. You’re going to meet people on tropical and desert islands, in the Arctic or rainforest, who are very different from you on the surface, but experience a lot of the same struggles and have the same dreams as you. This is the “company” part of the business name. None of us is truly alone. We’re all in this together.
A big part of the reason I am a travel consultant goes back to a trip to Ireland I took with my wife in 2011. We found an amazing deal through an online discount travel service. We took a redeye flight to Dublin, arriving around 7 am. I went to the car rental counter to pick up my rental car, but because I hadn’t thoroughly read the fine print in my travel documents, the rental company required a cash deposit I couldn’t afford. I didn’t have anyone I could call to help me resolve this issue and felt stranded. I never want any of my clients to experience that, ever.
I specialize in ocean and river cruises, European tours, all-inclusive resorts, and ski travel. Whether you’re chasing the sun or fresh powder, I can help get you there. What’s more, I am available before, during, and after your trip to support you every step of the way. I have built strong partnerships with many travel suppliers and operators and have the backing of a well-established host agency and travel consortium to help navigate complex travel challenges.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Integrity is what guides me in this business. My goal is to provide you with the best experience and value, no matter your budget. I want you to enjoy every dollar you spend on your vacation.
A lot of what I do is relationship sales, and I make commissions from most components of a vacation package. However, I want to be your travel concierge in the long term. I could sell you the most extravagant, expensive trip and make a nice commission, but if you feel the trip wasn’t worth what you paid, you’ll block my calls and find someone else for the next trip.
I want to be the person you call for your spring vacation to Alaska, your winter vacation to Hawaii, your daughter’s destination wedding in Jamaica, your anniversary cruise to the Mediterranean, and your pickleball club’s all-inclusive Caribbean tournament!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloomcotravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomcotravel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomcotravel
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomcotravel/
