As a travel advisor, you may find yourself juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. It can be overwhelming, which leads to needing some extra help in your business. But what tasks should you outsource first? How can you trust someone with aspects of your business? How do you know if it’s actually the right time to find help? Grace Mcbride, Founder & CEO of Lucia, joins this conversation to answer these questions and more!

Grace explains the difference between outsourcing to a virtual assistant (VA) versus an independent contractor (IC) or employee, and the importance of valuing your time and focusing on tasks that generate revenue. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to scale, making mistakes due to a heavy workload, or unable to take on new clients, this is the episode for you. Discover the signs and benefits of outsourcing tasks for maximum scalability!

About Grace McBride:

Grace is a dedicated entrepreneur and innovator in the luxury travel industry, currently serving as the Founder & CEO of Lucia. Lucia is a marketplace that connects the luxury travel industry with freelancers, addressing the labor shortage crisis and helping businesses scale without hiring. Grace's professional journey has been deeply rooted in both luxury travel and startups, serving as the CEO of TripKit and COO of MilesAhead. She was a Fellow in the New York 2021 cohort of the Startup Leadership Program and a Philip C. Wolf Memorial Scholarship winner of the Phocuswright Conference in 2022. Grace received her BS at Cornell University and MBA at the University of Notre Dame. She is always excited to try the next new hotel or restaurant and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Today we will cover:

(01:20) Grace’s history with VA services and her knowledge on the topic
(01:55) How to know if you’re actually ready to outsource
(05:50) Choosing between a VA and an IC
(10:45) Financial investment for bring on an assistant
(14:20) Differentiating between being busy and being productive
(18:30) Average price point and turnaround time for itinerary tasks
(20:40) Benefits of having an assistant
(24:10) Importance of setting up processes and SOPs
(33:05) Saving time and increasing revenue
(37:30) Common tasks advisors are successfully handing off
(40:55) The need for good communication and a grace period when bringing on an assistant
(45:35) Left brain vs right brain work

Listen to Episode 30:

The Impact Of AI On Travel Advisors: Embrace Or Fear It? With Grace McBride

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46. What Tasks In Your Travel Business To Outsource with Grace McBride

TIQUE Talks: The Business Podcast for Travel Advisors