Jackson – who is well-known in the industry – shared with TTG in March how she was determined to carry on doing what she loves best – selling holidays – despite the diagnosis in 2023.
She joined Travel Counsellors this month from Holidaysplease, which was acquired by the former in 2023.
“I was at a stage where I was needing a new challenge, and since Travel Counsellors purchased Holidaysplease, the opportunity was there for me to move over,” she says.
Jackson was spurred on by Travel Counsellor and good friend Sheila Sparkes (who she met more than 20 years ago at the Co-operative Travel Group), who had already made the switch between homeworking companies.
Sparkes suggested she join forces with two other agents – Sarah McCulley and Gretchen Kibbler – to act as a support team for Jackson.
“I can rest assured my clients will be looked after in the same manner I have looked after them over my 26 years in the industry,” says Jackson.
She tells TTG that she has “good days and bad days”, and dealing with just one client at a time helps her manage.
“Hopefully I don't make mistakes – but I don't want to make mistakes either,” she said.
“So if I'm not sure about something, Sheila, Sarah and Gretchen can check over my bookings once I've loaded a booking and make sure everything's okay.”
“I triple and quadruple check everything myself, but sometimes I get in a little bit of a tizz with it, so it's nice to have another pair of eyes on it.”
'Talk to me about travel and wham bam, I'm there!'
Jackson explained she found the Travel Counsellors two-week training “intense”. “I tend to be fine with things visually, but I find it very hard to absorb online trainings. I can read it, and then within two seconds I can't remember what I read.
“I got through it [the training] but I went at my own pace.
“The support I got from Ben and Josie in the Travel Counsellors training team – was brilliant, they were really supportive.”
Jackson says she’s found this year “a little bit more of a struggle”.
“I'm a doer, not a ditherer, and I think I needed a change. I think I was getting a little bit down - and that's no reflection on Holidaysplease, because they've been brilliant.
“Both Holidaysplease and Travel Counsellors have gone above and beyond. They’ve been supportive and never made me feel inadequate.”
Jackson says continuing to work is what helps keep her going.
“My knowledge is incredible, so it's good for me to keep that knowledge in there.
“Talk to me about anything within the travel industry and wham bam, I'm there.
“I may not remember it straight away, but I will keep thinking and suddenly I'll shout it out!”
'While many TCs work independently, they never feel alone'
Matt Harding, director of franchise sales at Travel Counsellors, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Jenny to the Travel Counsellors community.
“One of the things that makes our business so special is the way our agents come together to support one another – while many work independently, they never feel alone.
“Using our industry leading technology, many of our business owners choose to collaborate with others in TC Teams, with around 65% globally now working this way.
“By joining a TC team, Jenny will have that extra layer of guidance, friendship and shared experience around her, helping her to grow her business in a way that works best for her.
“We’re so proud to have a community where everyone looks out for each other and where we can provide the flexibility and support Jenny needs to thrive.”
