When I started in the travel industry, I didn’t set out to build something big. I set out to build something that worked for my life. At the time, that meant being home with my children while still doing something I loved. Travel had already become part of who I was, and I knew I didn’t want to walk away from it completely. So, I created something that allowed both to exist, a business and a life that could grow together.
What I didn’t realize then was that this decision, choosing what worked for me instead of what looked impressive to others, would shape everything that came after.
The Industry’s Definition of “More”
As time goes on in this industry, you start to hear the same message over and over: Grow bigger. Add more advisors. Expand as quickly as possible. And for many, that path makes sense. But along the way, I found myself asking a different question: At what cost?
Because growth, when it’s not aligned, can start to change the very thing you worked so hard to build. It can shift your focus away from relationships. It can make support feel less personal. It can attract people who aren’t building a business but are simply passing through. And that’s where we had to make a choice.
Choosing Alignment Over Applause
At Dugan’s Travels, we chose to stay true to what felt right for us, even when it meant going against the grain. We chose to remain a smaller, more connected host agency. Not because we couldn’t grow bigger, but because we didn’t want to lose what made us strong in the first place.
We wanted advisors who were here for a reason. Advisors who see this as their business. Advisors who are building something for their future. Advisors who understand that success doesn’t come from shortcuts but from consistency, relationships and effort.
That decision hasn’t always been the easiest. There’s pressure in this industry to measure success by numbers. Opportunities can be tied to headcount instead of engagement. And there are moments when it would be simpler to follow the expected path. But we’ve learned something important: Bigger doesn’t always mean better. And it certainly doesn’t always mean right.
Building Something That Lasts
What we’ve gained by staying aligned is something far more meaningful than numbers. We’ve built a community. A group of advisors who support one another. Who grow not just in sales, but in confidence and purpose. We know who they are. We see their progress. We’re part of their journey. And that kind of connection creates something powerful, something sustainable.
Your Path, Your Definition
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in this industry for years, there will always be noise telling you what you should be doing. But the most important question you can ask yourself is simple: What actually works for me?
Maybe your goal is to build a large-scale operation. Maybe it’s to create a flexible business that supports your family. Maybe it’s to specialize, to grow steadily or to design a business that fits into your life not the other way around. There is no single right answer. But there is a right answer for you.
The Courage To Stay True
Finding what works for you is one thing. Having the confidence to stick with it, that’s where the real work begins. Because it means tuning out comparisons. It means saying no to opportunities that don’t align. It means trusting that your path, even if it looks different, is still valid. And often, it’s not just valid, it’s exactly what leads to long-term success.
In the end, this industry isn’t about building the biggest business. It’s about building the right one. The one that supports your life. The one that reflects your values. The one you’re proud of, not just because of how it looks, but because of how it feels. So, don’t be afraid to take a step back and ask yourself: What works for me?
Because when you build from that place, you’re not just creating a business. You’re creating something that lasts.
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