Hello everyone! I want to share a bit of my journey with Prism Premier Travel and explain how a specific strategy—niching—was the turning point that allowed me to grow from a side hustle to a full-scale agency.

At Prism Premier Travel, we prioritize niching above almost everything else. By niching, we aren’t limiting our potential; we are focusing our limited time on one demographic, one style of travel, and one destination that we can talk about with absolute authority. Here is why that matters.

The Reality of the "Side Hustle"

Many of us start our travel businesses while working full-time jobs. I’ve lived it—and I’m still doing it. I am a full-time teacher, a full-time travel advisor, and now a full-time agency owner.

If I had tried to be a generalist—learning every cruise line, every resort, and every destination on earth—I would have burned out in months. More importantly, I would have been unsuccessful. You cannot be an expert in everything when you only have 20 hours a week to give.

How Niching Built My Referral Network

In my first year, I decided I wanted to sell honeymoons. To make it work, I partnered with wedding professionals—venues, planners, and florists. I built a referral network without ever leaving my house (except for venue tours).

But here was the turning point: When I was a "general" honeymoon agent, I got a lot of "crickets" from those pros. It wasn't until I pivoted and said, "I am a queer travel agent specializing in LGBTQ+ honeymoons," that people started paying attention. Suddenly, those wedding planners saw exactly how I could help their specific clients. I filled a gap they didn't know how to fill themselves.

Winning at SEO and AEO

I used to post randomly on social media—stock images of hotels or supplier promos with no real "why." Once I got specific about who I sell to and where I send them, my rankings changed.

Because I don't have 60 hours a week to market, I need my website to work for me while I’m in the classroom or sleeping. Now, when someone searches for "Gay honeymoons in Cancun," I actually show up. My leads come in through automated systems, and when I hop on a consultation call, the deal is practically closed because the client already knows exactly who I am and what I specialize in.

My 5-Step System for Finding Your Niche

1. Decide Who You Want to Serve: We are here for the LGBTQ+ community, but let’s go deeper. Is it solo travelers? Trans-inclusive family travel? Luxury couples?

2. Choose Your Suppliers: Don't try to master them all. Focus on the suppliers that align with your brand—whether it’s Disney, Virgin Voyages, or high-end boutique tours.

3. Identify Your "Why": For me, it’s Mexico and Italy. My family heritage comes from both—my grandfathers and my grandmother all have roots in these places. Researching these destinations helps me connect to my own identity. What country do you love, and why does it move you?

4. Think About the Revenue: If you want to sell Disney to solo travelers, that’s great, but keep the commission margins in mind. You may need to market "VIP" or "Ultimate Experience" packages to ensure your time is being compensated fairly.

5. Consider Your Timeline: If you need to leave your 9-to-5 quickly, you need high-ticket items like river cruises or luxury European FITs with a $50k+ minimum. Your niche can evolve, but you need a high-value starting point.

If You Learn Nothing Else, Learn This:

Niching is not about saying "no" to money.

There is a huge misconception that if you market one thing, you can’t sell anything else. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, this year alone, I planned a Vegas getaway, an Amtrak journey across the U.S., and a trip to Hawaii. I market exactly zero of those things.

So why did those clients book with me? Because they loved how I showed up in my niche. They saw my expertise, my passion, and my professional brand, and they reached out because they wanted me to handle their travel. They were aligned clients who trusted my process.

When you niche, you aren't closing doors; you’re building a reputation. If someone asks, "Can you help me book a trip to Japan?" while you’re advertising African Safaris, you can still say YES. Or you can say no. The point is, the power is finally in your hands. Niching makes you the expert, and people want to book with experts.

Join the Collective

Starting your own agency doesn’t have to be a solo journey. At Prism Premier Travel, we provide the structure, the TRUE code, and the Ensemble affiliation you need to launch with confidence.

Ready to get specific? Let’s build your agency together.