Stronger Together: How Team JACKD Redefines Success
South Africa
Starting your own travel business is exciting, but the idea of doing it all alone can feel overwhelming. As a Travel Counsellor, you build your business on your own terms, yet you are never truly on your own. Team JACKD is a powerful example of how collaboration can transform not just your business, but your whole experience of self-employment. Team JACKD is made up of five Travel Counsellors from across South Africa: Jaenette, Anna, Clare, Kerith and Debby. Their name blends their initials and reflects the unique strengths each person brings. What began as a professional alliance has become a close-knit family that celebrates both work and personal milestones, proving that independence and deep connection can go hand in hand.
A Shared Pool of Expertise
Travel is a vast industry, and as Anna says, “There’s absolutely no chance you can know everything about travel.” Within Team JACKD, nobody has to. By drawing on one another’s knowledge, they can confidently say “yes” to more enquiries, share commissions and ensure clients always receive expert advice. As Debby explains, knowing there is “somebody in the team who knows exactly what to suggest” has grown both her business and her confidence as a travel professional.
Support That Never Switches Off
Flexibility is a major reason people become Travel Counsellors, but clients still need support when you step away. For Clare, having teammates who can step in means her clients always have someone to call, even when she is on holiday or at a family event. “We’re a team, we work together – at the end of the day, as long as our client is happy. That’s all that matters.”
This support is just as crucial in a crisis. Whether it is a last-minute change or an urgent request, there is always “somebody at the end of the phone,” as Anna puts it. For Debby, having teammates who say, “Go on, do what you need to do, we will sort it out,” provides real peace of mind.
A Community That Helps You Thrive
Team JACKD shows that you can enjoy the freedom of running your own business while being surrounded by people who truly have your back. Their shared expertise, mutual encouragement and constant support help each of them build stronger, more resilient businesses and deliver exceptional service to their clients.
If you are passionate about travel and dream of being your own boss, but worry about doing it alone, the Travel Counsellors community offers the best of both worlds: independence with genuine support, flexibility with security, and a network that is invested in your success.