The Travel Business Unpacked
We're unpacking the strategies, stories, and insights you need to create a profitable and fulfilling travel business.
Our Most Popular Episodes
Explore our standout episodes with Gifted Travel Network advisors, where they share actionable advice and real stories to inspire your entrepreneurial journey.
Topics We're Unpacking
Each episode dives into the key ingredients for building a thriving travel business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to accelerate, we’re exploring the strategies, mindset shifts, and real-world tactics that make a difference.
Scaling & Business Growth
We break down the key strategies for growth - building a team, mastering group travel, and selling luxury travel.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Entrepreneurship starts with the right mindset. In the episodes, we chat about how to think, act, and succeed like a true business owner.
Marketing & Client Attraction
Need clients? We’re unpacking what’s actually working right now - and how you can apply it to grow your business.
Meet the Guests
From Gifted Travel Network advisors—including Top Producers and Travel MBA alumni—to industry experts, GTN team members, and beyond, Meredith sits down with a guest each week to share insights, stories, and strategies for success in the travel industry.
Erica Carr
Erica Carr removes the stress of vacation planning by creating seamless, personalized travel experiences. She tailors each itinerary to her clients' styles, balancing relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. To make the process even more convenient, each client receives a pre-departure box, including essential trip details and a few thoughtful extras to enhance the journey. Erica ranks in the Top Producers Club at Gifted Travel Network.
John Rees
John Rees (owner of J5Travel) combines his diverse background in banking, restaurant ownership, and a lifelong passion for travel. J5Travel celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, marking years of tailored luxury travel experiences for clients. John is a Travel MBA graduate and a member of the Top Producers Club at Gifted Travel Network.
Emer and Dervila
From Dublin, Ireland, Emer Coughlin and Dervila Stivers grew up savoring slow, immersive travel. After moving to Atlanta in 1994, they channeled their passion into Celtic Hearts Travel, specializing in tailored European getaways. They craft culture-rich journeys, offer luxury river cruises, and personally host trips through scenic destinations. They are Travel MBA graduates and members of the Top Producers Club at Gifted Travel Network.
Debbie Ellis
With a decades-long career focused on helping others, Debbie Ellis is passionate about creating unforgettable travel experiences. Whether exploring new cities or faraway lands, she believes travel is about connection—discovering new places, cultures, and moments. Debbie is a 2025 Top Accelerator at Gifted Travel Network.
Meet your Host
Meredith Calloway, Chief Visionary Officer and Co-Founder of Gifted Travel Network (GTN), is a travel entrepreneur, success mindset guru, and former Wall Street analyst.
She left Wall Street in 2001 to start Hills of Africa Travel, overcoming early challenges to build a thriving business. Seeing others struggle, she founded the Global Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs (GIFTE) in 2011 to support travel advisors. In 2013, she co-founded GTN to fill gaps in the host agency landscape, later sunsetting GIFTE in 2021 to focus on GTN’s mission of providing an elevated hosting experience for luxury travel advisors.
Today, Meredith is a sought-after speaker, inspiring travel entrepreneurs to build successful, passion-driven businesses.
