How It Works

From Curiosity to Potential Advisor Affiliation

Deciding to become a travel advisor is a business decision.

Deciding whether Reach for the Magic Destinations is the right agency for you is another one.

We believe both deserve time, information, and thoughtful consideration.

That is why our process is designed in stages. You will have opportunities to learn about the travel advisor business, learn about RftMD, ask questions, participate in training, and decide whether this path still feels right for you.

We will be doing the same. Our goal is not to move people through the process as quickly as possible.

Our goal is to determine whether there is a strong mutual fit.

Step 1: Explore the Opportunity

Start by learning what becoming a travel advisor actually involves.

Before you apply, we encourage you to explore:

what travel advisors really do
what it means to operate as an Independent Contractor
how travel advisors are typically paid
what business ownership requires
what kind of support RftMD provides
what we expect from advisors
how The Academy works

This stage is about information. You are not committing to anything by learning more. In fact, we want you to take the time to decide whether this business still interests you once you understand the realities behind it.

EXPLORE BECOMING A TRAVEL ADVISOR

Step 2: Learn More or Apply

If the opportunity still feels interesting, the next step is to raise your hand.

Depending on where we are in the cohort cycle, that may mean:

joining our advisor interest list
registering for a Learn More session
requesting information about an upcoming cohort
completing an initial expression of interest

Our Learn More sessions are designed to give prospective advisors a deeper look at RftMD, The Academy, expectations, business realities, and the upcoming selection process. This is also your opportunity to ask questions.

You do not need to arrive ready to say yes. Curiosity is enough.

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST

VIEW UPCOMING COHORTS

Step 3: Apply

When applications open for an upcoming Academy cohort, interested candidates may be invited to complete an application.

Our application is designed to help us understand more about:

why you are interested in travel advising
what you hope to build
how much time you can realistically commit
how you approach learning
your communication style
your experience serving or working with people
how you think about marketing and business development
your ability to research and problem-solve
how you receive feedback
what you are looking for in an agency relationship
why RftMD interests you

We are not looking for perfect answers. We are looking for honesty, self-awareness, curiosity, follow-through, and signs that the opportunity aligns with your goals.

Step 4: Interview and Mutual Fit Conversation

Selected applicants may be invited to a conversation with RftMD leadership.

Think of this less as a traditional job interview and more as a mutual-fit conversation. Yes, we will ask questions. You should too. We may talk about:

your goals
your schedule and availability
your expectations
how you handle challenges
your approach to communication
your willingness to market and build relationships
your learning style
your business experience
the realities of delayed commission income
agency culture
training expectations
what support you need
what ownership looks like

This stage matters because a strong fit needs to work in both directions. We want you to understand what you are entering before investing in The Academy. And we want to understand whether our environment is likely to support your success.

Step 5: Invitation to The Academy

Applicants who appear to be a strong fit may receive an invitation to join an upcoming Academy cohort.

This invitation is for the training program. It is not an Independent Contractor agreement.

Before the cohort begins, you will receive information about:

Academy tuition
program dates
live-session expectations
weekly time commitment
training policies
participation requirements
payment information
what happens during and after the program

You will also complete the appropriate training agreement before beginning.

Step 6: Complete The Academy

During The Academy, you will begin developing the foundational knowledge and professional habits needed for travel advising.

The experience may include:

structured curriculum
live group sessions
independent learning
research assignments
client scenarios
supplier education
booking-portal practice
practice quotes and proposals
communication exercises
business-development work
feedback and coaching

You are not selling travel during this phase. You are learning, practicing, and demonstrating how you approach the work. EXPLORE THE ACADEMY

Step 7: Mutual Evaluation

The Academy is not only a training program, it is also part of our mutual evaluation process.

Throughout the experience, RftMD considers things such as:

participation
communication
professionalism
follow-through
learning progress
resourcefulness
ability to receive feedback
client-service mindset
alignment with agency expectations
readiness for active client work

You should also be evaluating us.

Ask yourself:

Do I feel supported?
Do I understand what is expected?
Does the agency culture fit me?
Do I want to operate within these systems?
Do I feel aligned with the service philosophy?
Am I still excited about building this business?
Can I realistically commit the time and energy needed?

You are allowed to decide this is not the right path. So are we. That is part of an intentional process.

Step 8: Possible Independent Contractor Invitation

Successful completion of The Academy does not automatically result in affiliation with Reach for the Magic Destinations. Participants who demonstrate readiness and strong mutual alignment may receive an invitation to become an RftMD Independent Contractor. If offered, you will have an opportunity to review the Independent Contractor agreement and agency expectations before deciding whether to move forward.

The agreement may include information about:

commission structure
agency fees
technology
professional expectations
agency policies
client and booking procedures
payment processes
supplier requirements
confidentiality and data protection
renewal terms

You should review these documents carefully and ask questions before signing.

An invitation is exactly that: an invitation. You are still choosing us, too.

Step 9: Advisor Onboarding and Launch

Once an Independent Contractor agreement is signed, the next phase begins. At that point, you transition from Academy participant to RftMD advisor.

Your onboarding may include:

agency systems setup
CRM access and training
agency email
advisor profile
booking procedures
commission and payment processes
agency policies
supplier access
client workflows
additional launch training
marketing and business-development preparation

This phase is about moving from practice into professional client work. You will not suddenly know everything; no advisor does. But you will have a foundation, systems, support, and a clearer understanding of how to keep developing.

Step 10: Build, Learn, and Grow

Signing an IC agreement is not the finish line. It is the beginning of the next stage.

As an RftMD advisor, you will continue developing through:

client experience
ongoing education
supplier training
agency learning sessions
coaching and feedback
team collaboration
marketing and visibility
reflection and goal-setting
expanding your travel knowledge
building stronger business systems

Confidence comes with repetition.

Expertise comes with experience.

And sustainable businesses are built over time.

A Quick Look at the Journey

Explore

Understand the travel advisor business.

Academy Invitation

Selected candidates are invited to training.

Onboarding + Launch

Complete setup and prepare for client work.

Learn More

Attend a session or join the interest list.

Complete The Academy

Learn, practice, participate, and receive feedback.

Build + Grow

Keep learning, serving, and developing your business.

Apply

Share your goals, availability, and experience.

Mutual Evaluation

We both decide whether moving forward makes sense.

Interview + Mutual Fit

We learn about you. You learn about us.

Possible IC Invitation

Qualified participants may be invited to affiliate.

Academy Participant ≠ RftMD Advisor

Joining The Academy means you have been selected for training. It does not mean you are yet affiliated with Reach for the Magic Destinations or authorized to sell travel through the agency.

Advisor affiliation begins only after successful Academy completion, mutual evaluation, an IC invitation, acceptance and signing of the Independent Contractor agreement, and completion of required advisor onboarding.

How Long Does the Full Process Take?

Timing will vary based on the cohort calendar. The Academy itself typically spans approximately 12–14 weeks, including structured curriculum, live sessions, independent work, and planned breaks.

The full path from initial interest to advisor launch may take several months. We intentionally do not rush that process. There is a lot to learn, and we would rather help someone build a strong foundation than push them into client work before they are ready.

Specific dates are provided for each Academy cohort.

VIEW UPCOMING COHORTS

What If I Am Interested but the Timing Is Not Right?

That is completely okay. A travel business is not something you need to begin simply because an application window happens to be open.

If you are interested in RftMD but cannot realistically commit to the current cohort, we encourage you to join the advisor interest list. You can learn more, stay connected, and consider a future opportunity when the timing works better.

JOIN THE ADVISOR INTEREST LIST

Ready to Explore Your Next Step?

If you have learned about the business, explored RftMD, and reviewed The Academy, you are in a much better position to decide whether you want to continue.

See Our Upcoming Academy Cohorts

Learn about current dates, application windows, tuition, Learn More sessions, and availability.

VIEW UPCOMING COHORTS

Not ready for a specific cohort?

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST