A former retail agent has revealed how becoming a Travel Counsellor at the age of 42 – one of the most difficult decisions she’s ever made – has given her a “wonderful life.”

Jayne Nuttall left Clitheroe Travel Agency in 2002, marking the end of a decades-long tenure at the Lancashire business.

The travel enthusiast had joined the family-owned agency in 1974 as a teenager, having admittedly “no idea” what she wanted to do after leaving school.

“The choices seemed to be working in a factory, going to college or becoming a nurse. None of those appealed to me – I just wanted to earn some money!” Jayne told TTG.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for another opportunity to come knocking. Just two weeks before Jayne’s graduation, Clitheroe Travel Agency contacted her careers teacher looking for students who could make a strong addition to its team.

“They wanted a school leaver who was neat and tidy, had taken Geography and English exams and had a good attendance record,” she recalled.

Jayne Nuttall

“Luckily, I ticked those boxes. I went to the interview in enormous platform shoes, flared denim trousers embroidered with yellow stars and a bright yellow blouse with huge sleeves. I was basically dressed as Elton John!” 

In spite of the eccentric outfit, Jayne was hired on the spot. She began the next day as a junior sales consultant, earning a weekly wage of £14. Over the next few years, she climbed the ranks to become senior sales consultant and financial manager. 

Overall, Jayne’s experience at Clitheroe Travel Agency was positive. Jayne credits the owners for giving her the tools required to succeed in this competitive industry – whilst also treating her like a member of their family. 

“On one occasion, I accidentally called the shop owner ‘Dad’, which says everything about how well they looked after me,” she said.

But when the store was sold in 2002, Jayne realised it was time for a fresh start. “The atmosphere changed and I knew I needed to take control of my own future,” she said. 

It was this wake-up call that led Jayne to Travel Counsellors, which, at the time, had fewer than 300 members. After visiting its headquarters in Manchester and meeting Angela Oxley, who had joined the homeworking agency the previous year, she decided to take the plunge. 

“I remember sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve been working in travel since the 70s. If she can do it, so can I’,” Jayne recalled.  

This excitement, however, was also mixed with worries about the future. 

“I was on my own with two young sons and a mortgage, and I was leaving a salary for commission,” Jayne said. “My parents thought I had gone mad.” 

Jayne Nuttall

But she was adamant this was the right path for her. After speaking to Angela, Jayne made the life-changing call to the enrolment team at Travel Counsellors. 

“I more or less said, ‘Come and get me wired up before I change my mind.’ It was frightening, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

But as is the case for many Travel Counsellors, success didn’t come instantly for Jayne. 

“My first year was slow, so I knew I had to be patient, disciplined and prepared to work my socks off,” she recalled. 

Working from the end of her kitchen table, her first priority was to establish a client base in her local area. “I made lists of which part of Clitheroe I’d visit next, knocked on doors and introduced myself to local businesses,” she said. “Failure was not an option.” 

Though it wasn’t easy, Jayne slowly but surely began earning a steady income. 

“One of the biggest highs was when the commission started coming through and I realised the business was genuinely mine,” she said. “Eventually, I was able to borrow the money to build an office on the side of my house.” 

The extension wasn’t the only way Jayne marked her achievements during this period. After reaching a strong place with her business, she began saving up and eventually took herself on a well-deserved trip to Tobago. 

“It was absolutely beautiful,” she said. “We visited the Nylon Pool, with its smooth, shimmering water, and explored an island full of birds, nature and waterfalls. Even talking about it now makes me feel emotional because it represented more than a holiday. It showed me that the hard work and the leap I had taken had been worthwhile.” 

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The support of other Travel Counsellors was also an invaluable resource to Jayne in the early stages of her business. 

“Angela helped me at the beginning and I also became close to local Travel Counsellors,” she said. “Our small coffee-and-cake meetings gradually grew as more people joined.” 

Today, Jayne looks after a loyal clientele – some of whom have booked with her since her high street days. 

“One long-standing client is 72 and has trusted me with his holidays since I was a girl in the shop. I love that because it confirms just how much this business is built on personal relationships and trust.” 

This trust has been particularly important during times of adversity – an inevitability in the lifespan of every travel professional’s career. 

“One experience that has always stayed with me involved a customer whose wife became seriously ill while they were on holiday in Cyprus,” Jayne said. “He rang me from the hospital and simply said, ‘Jayne, please help me.’” 

Jayne sprung into action, urging the client to stay by his wife’s side while she made alternative arrangements for their trip. Within an hour, she’d alerted the suppliers and organised for the couple to remain at their hotel indefinitely. She’d also begun conversations with their insurers to ensure they’d be financially protected throughout the ordeal. 

“When I rang the client back, all he had to worry about was being there for his wife. To me, that is what looking after people means,” Jayne said. “The most important thing is care. If people know they can trust you, they will never forget it. Listening is a talent.” 

Now one of Travel Counsellors’ longest-serving members, Jayne is more than qualified to give advice to those looking to join the homeworking agency. 

“Go into it with your eyes open and be prepared to work,” she emphasised. “It is not just searching for holidays, it is running a business and taking responsibility for people’s precious time and money.” 

Jayne also stressed the importance of patience, adding that she gave herself two years to properly establish her business. 

Another game-changer has been utilising Travel Counsellors’ network of more than 2,000 homeworkers, most of whom are readily available to help with any issues or questions. 

“Whenever I am stuck or need help with anything – and yes, I am still learning every day – I can always get in touch with one of my many Travel Counsellor colleagues. Even though it is my own business, I am never alone,” Jayne said. “It takes hard work, but for me, it has given me a wonderful life.” 

For her final piece of advice, she echoes the words of those who’ve made the biggest impact on her journey – her real family and her high street family. 

“My parents always told me to be myself, and my first boss taught me that creating trust with customers is everything. Those two insights have stayed with me throughout my career.”

Find out more about Travel Counsellors in the TTG Homeworking Hub, packed with advice for existing and would-be homeworkers, and a Matchmaker tool to help you find the right homeworking company for you.