Andy Popick, a Battalion Chief in the fire rescue service, has found a way to combine his passion for service and travel through a successful franchise with Cruise Planners. His journey from fire rescue to travel advisor is a testament to the flexibility and opportunities that Cruise Planners offers.

Andy’s interest in fire rescue started at a young age when he visited a local fire station in Hollywood, Florida. His early passion led him to a career in fire rescue, where he has served for 33 years, climbing the ladder from firefighter and paramedic to his current rank of Battalion Chief.

Outside of fire rescue, Andy discovered another passion: travel. He and his wife Lilly, a nurse, found themselves frequently planning trips with their friends who work in the fire and healthcare field. They coordinated travel arrangements for everyone on each trip, which led them to consider turning this passion into a business.

Despite his initial hesitation about owning a franchise while working full-time, Andy was drawn to Cruise Planners because of its flexibility. As a home-based business, Cruise Planners allowed Andy to set his own hours and work from anywhere. The low-cost franchise fee also made it a less risky venture.

Cruise Planners provided Andy with the training and tools to hit the ground running. He received personalized training to learn about the travel industry, the systems needed to run his travel advisor business, and help in establishing a business plan for growth. Cruise Planners’ robust booking system, hands-free marketing, and mobile-friendly technology were instrumental in establishing his business.

Andy’s key to success was tapping into his personal network to grow his client base. He was already planning group trips for his family, friends, and colleagues, so he utilized that to jumpstart his business. He now provides travel advisor services to a network of public service professionals, including firefighters, paramedics, police officers, military personnel, and healthcare professionals.

Despite the differences between his job as a Battalion Chief and as a home-based travel agent, Andy finds many similarities. In both positions, organization and communication are key. But above all, the gratification that Andy feels from helping others is the most unifying thread.