Courtesy of Cruise Planners
They say there’s no straight path to success. That statement perfectly describes the journey of Pennsylvania native, wife, and mother of two, Kara Beutel. After exploring a variety of careers, including a brief stint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she became a travel advisor with Cruise Planners. Kara now successfully books over seven figures a year in travel, but her path to this fulfilling career was anything but predictable.
With degrees in Nutrition, Criminal Justice, and Chemistry, Kara initially pursued a career in medicine before working for the FBI for five years. Despite these impressive accomplishments, Kara realized she lacked the passion for these avenues.
As a mother, she wanted a career that would not only give her professional satisfaction but also allow her to be involved in her children’s lives. Reflecting on this, Kara said, “I don’t want my children to remember me as the mom who was always working and always neglecting them.”
This desire for balance and fulfillment led Kara to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a travel professional. Her mother, Tracy Bonetti, started the Family Cruise Planner franchise in 2001 and the family has enjoyed countless travel adventures. Kara fondly recalls one such experience: “I remember being 11 years old and doing my homework on a four-night cruise.”
When Kara first approached her mother about joining the family business, she was met with resistance. Tracy initially refused, explaining, “I said, ‘NO!’ for two reasons: at the time, I wanted her to work in the business for another year, and also, I didn’t want to ruin our relationship, as we’d always been good friends.” However, Kara’s persistence paid off, and after a year, Tracy agreed.
About six years later, Kara took over the business completely, allowing her mother to enjoy retirement. Reflecting on their partnership, Kara says, “Working with my mother worked a lot better than she ever expected. I brought things to the business that she hadn’t thought of, and it gave me a new perspective.”
Kara’s story is a powerful testament to the work-life balance that a Cruise Planner franchise can offer: As a work-from-home parent, she built a career that fit her lifestyle, fulfilled her passions, and allowed her to be with her family.
Whether it’s dropping off her kids at school or spending quality time with her husband on walks, Carla enjoys the flexibility that comes with being her own boss. “Right now my kids are young, so this is a time where I’m focusing on them rather than growing my business,” says Carla. “But as they get older, that changes. I’ve seen that change in my mother.”
Is a Cruise Planner Home-Based Travel Business Right for You?
Kara’s journey shows that it’s possible to build a successful career without sacrificing time with your family. If you’re looking for a career that offers flexibility, fulfillment, and the chance to work from anywhere, cruise planner could be the perfect opportunity for you.
- No experience necessary
- Training and ongoing coaching
- Award-winning marketing support
- Best in class technology
- Be your own boss
- Work from anywhere
- Earn money by selling amazing travel experiences
Curious to see what a day in the life of a Cruise Planner travel advisor is like? Check out Kara’s Day in the Life video and explore more inspiring stories of women working from home on our YouTube channel.
Sponsored by Cruise Planners. Please note that we only promote companies that we believe we can legitimately recommend to our readers. For more information, see our disclosure policy.
