When Isaiah Banks, an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy, first approached his wife Deborah about purchasing a Cruise Planners travel franchise, she was hesitant. With an active career in the tech field and Isaiah’s military duties, she initially told her husband, “If you want to start a travel agency, you have to run it yourself.”

However, as they delved deeper into Cruise Planners, Deborah’s attitude began to shift. What started as Isaiah’s business dream quickly became a family affair. “It was so much fun!” Deborah says. “I wish I had started earlier.”

Together, the couple runs their home-based travel agent business, planning amazing vacations for clients all around the world. Despite her initial reluctance, Deborah played a critical role in the early years of the business, especially when Isaiah was still actively serving in the military.

One of the biggest draws of Cruise Planners was the flexibility it offered. As a home-based business, the Banks had the freedom to set their own hours and work the business from anywhere. This was crucial for a busy military family that moved all around the world. “We never had to start all over from scratch,” says Deborah. “Wherever we’d go, our business would follow us. It was seamless. Our clients never knew we were in a different location.”

Now retired from the Navy, Isaiah sees many skills that translate from the military to successful Cruise Planners franchise ownership. “Most military members have traveled the world. We have dedication, we are process thinkers, and we know how to get things done,” he says.

Despite her initial hesitations, Deborah cannot imagine what her life would be without Cruise Planners. She is grateful for the success she has earned, but she is even more appreciative of the time she has been able to spend with her husband. “We have been growing the business together, and it has been a great pleasure having him side-by-side at home,” she says. “I would do it all over again if I had the opportunity.”