In June 2020, when the world was shut down and almost no one was traveling, I decided to become a franchisee for Expedia Cruises. Half of my friends and family thought I had lost my mind. Why invest in a travel agency during a pandemic when the future of the industry was so uncertain?
The other half of my circle reminded me of my work ethic and the fact that I know how to make things happen. Now, more than five years later, my franchise in Belmont, North Carolina, is doing so well that I'm preparing to open a second Expedia Cruises franchise location early next year. With Veterans Day approaching, I've been reflecting on how much of my success traces back to my years in the Air Force and what I'd tell other veterans who may be planning their next chapter.
Chasing flight, landing in North Dakota
I joined the Air Force right after high school. I’ve always had a steadfast passion for action and an innate
desire to see the world.
When I got my first assignment, I assumed I was going to be sent overseas but instead, was flown to Grand Forks, North Dakota. I remember wondering whether Grand Forks was even in the United States. I spent about three years as an electronic systems specialist in the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile program, which limited where I could be stationed.
I met my husband in North Dakota and, when I became pregnant with our son, I had to temporarily pivot to a lower-risk role, so I moved to the hospital as a medical records specialist. After he was born, I served eight more years in the active reserves and reached the rank of staff sergeant.
30 years in corporate America, then a phone call
Later, I was stationed in Illinois, which led me to the University of Illinois, where I earned a finance degree. My Air Force health care experience became the foundation for my career in health care distribution, where I spent just over 30 years with companies including Baxter Healthcare, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen. I went from finance to operations, to sales and program management, leading teams for about 28 of those years. Recruiting, mentoring, and developing people were always my favorite parts of the job.
Then COVID hit. I got the call on a Monday morning: My company had been acquired, and training and development was one of the first areas cut. I realized I wanted a role where I couldn't be let go by someone who didn't know anything about me. I wanted to take control of my future and build the same community feeling I got from the military, which led me to franchising.
Expedia Cruises piqued my interest, as it paired my love of travel with the chance to coach and develop a team. I was sold on the brand after meeting the leadership team and learning about the support system in place.
Lesson 1: Discipline is your competitive advantage
The franchise opened in May 2021 in a brand-new space with gravel floors and an open ceiling. I had to learn a slew of new skills: construction, real estate, contracts, negotiating, recruiting independent contractors, accounting, marketing, event planning and catering. I leaned on the Expedia Cruises team, and it helped to know I wasn’t doing it alone.
What kept me on track was the discipline I learned in the Air Force. There’s always support available, but as a franchise owner, no one tells you to get up and get to work. You must know what’s critical to your success and act on it. This is something I tell my vacation consultants. The military taught me to stay motivated, be organized, follow a plan and understand when you can be flexible and when you can’t.
Lesson 2: You can find your community again
The other thing I carried from the military is the value of community. No matter where you were stationed, people faced similar challenges and experiences.
When you leave the service, you lose that sense of connectedness and familiarity. In corporate America, I often felt more like a number.
Through franchising, I've found that sense of community again. I feel it at every Expedia Cruises conference and in my relationships with our leadership team, regional team and fellow franchisees. That team mentality drives my collaborative leadership style.
That’s why I measure success by culture, not income. Do people like coming to work here? Do they feel at home? Once, a Vacation Consultant on my team told me this job is her reason for getting up in the morning. That sentiment means more to me than any dollar amount.
Lesson 3: Trust the playbook
To veterans considering what's next, whether you served four years or 30: I've found franchising offers the same structure you're used to. You're given a playbook, a coach, and access to continued support.
What determines your success is the discipline and if you can carry out that playbook. However, a franchise allows you room to adapt and set up your own course. The more support you receive, the better equipped you are to call the shots and run the business on your terms. The best of both worlds: a road map for success and freedom to get there how you want to.
Doubling down
Our Expedia Cruises location in Belmont celebrated five years this May, and contracts have been signed for our second Expedia Cruises location, with plans to open in early 2027. This growth is proof that having trust in the system, yourself, and your team can make anything possible. Veterans have a lot to offer this industry, and I still believe what I learned in the Air Force: If one of us succeeds, we all succeed together.