Life is notorious for throwing curveballs and shaking up our sense of routine, reminding us that sometimes, even when we seem to have it all figured out, our circumstances are never set in stone. Twenty-nine-year-old Rebecca Smiley knows this lesson better than anyone — all it took was one unexpected conversation with her uncle’s travel advisor at a family wedding for her to leave behind a full-time career as a college admissions counselor.
Inspired by the interaction, Smiley took a leap of faith five months later and joined KHM Travel Group, giving life to her own business, Smiley Travel. Now, with a little over three years of experience in the industry, she’s full steam ahead on her road to unprecedented success.
Taking the Industry by Storm
Smiley’s pursuit of a career in travel — while seemingly spontaneous — aligned with her passion for the industry, one she discovered at 13 when she planned the entirety of her family trip. She recalls falling in love with the researching, booking and organizational process, though she never considered becoming an advisor until that one fated conversation.
“Before that, I thought travel agents just worked at AAA, booking flights and handing out maps,” said Smiley. “But she [her uncle’s travel agent] opened my eyes to what a modern travel advisor actually does — curating dream vacations, building relationships, and experiencing the world in a way that helps others do the same.”
The young and hopeful Smiley kickstarted her new career in November 2021, hitting her stride rather quickly after only three years. In 2024, she booked 100 trips, selling over $86,000 in travel, according to a February CNBC article. This year, Smiley has her sights set on bigger ambitions, looking to earn $100K in commission — a feat that would make her KHM’s youngest advisor to do so. It comes as no surprise that Smiley’s on track towards reaching that milestone.
In conjunction with her rapid success, Smiley has learned a thing or two about the dos and don’ts of business and was eager to share some key pieces of advice for new advisors.
“Use social media — it’s free, and it works! You don’t need to go viral or have a million followers for it to be effective,” Smiley advised. “Every time you post about travel — whether it’s client trips, industry updates, or even your own experiences — you’re keeping yourself top of mind.”
Along the lines of money-saving hacks, Smiley also gave pointers about where advisors should focus their time and energy.
“It’s easy to feel like you need the fanciest website, paid ads, or expensive tools, but the truth is, you can grow a successful business with minimal upfront costs,” Smiley said. “Focus on building relationships, using free marketing tools like social media, and learning as much as you can. The bookings will come with time, and when they do, you’ll be glad you built a solid foundation without overspending.”
Creating a Lasting Impact
While Smiley has reached some impressive goals early in her career, she also recognizes that the industry is bigger than her. Last year, Smiley was invited to attend ALG Vacations’ Kindness Conference as a 40 Under 40 participant, where she noted the most significant takeaway was the emphasis on community and advisors uplifting one another. Driven by this sense of togetherness, Smiley spearheaded a young professionals initiative at KHM, aiming to connect advisors, support one another and help build confidence in the business.
“I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to step into the travel industry as a young professional, so I’ve been working on creating a space for others to find their footing,” Smiley said. “It’s not about separating ourselves but making sure young advisors know they belong here.”
A year later, Smiley’s mission of creating an inclusive space for advisors is coming full circle as she is one of five coaches selected to mentor attendees at this year’s Kindness Conference. She describes the role as “guiding new participants, sharing insights from my journey, and fostering an environment where kindness and collaboration lead the way.”
The sky’s the limit for Smiley and her business, though her current focus is on bringing others up with her.
“The goal isn’t just to grow Smiley Travel but to create opportunities for people around me,” she said. “Long term, I see myself continuing to create spaces where people feel supported — because success is always better when you can share it.”
Originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of The Compass magazine
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