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Teacher turned agent booking six-figure holidays after 'devastating' rejection

Agents
Emma Dooney
1 May 2026

From unpaid intern to chief executive, Julie Shotmeyer now manages a high-value portfolio of bookings reaching $500,000. 

Woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing light blue shirt, framed photographs in the background

Julie Shotmeyer, chief executive of Jet Set Getaways, joined the travel industry in 2011 after being left 'heartbroken' by a job rejection 

A top travel advisor has revealed how she turned a major setback into a multi-million dollar agency – and the advice she’d give to others looking to follow suit.

Julie Shotmeyer, founder of Jet Set Getaways, was left “heartbroken” after being unexpectedly rejected for a job in her home state of New Jersey.

The role, a first grade teacher, had seemed like a natural fit for the East Coast native. She had already taught at the school prior to having her daughter, and had a strong relationship with its faculty.

But despite being a “shoo-in” for the position, Shotmeyer was passed over for the job.