So you’re ready to launch your travel business, or maybe you’ve already gone solo and are starting to feel the weight of “doing it all.” At first glance, it might seem like building your agency from the ground up gives you more freedom and control. But what many independent advisors quickly realize is this: the real cost of going it alone isn’t always measured in dollars – it’s in time, missed opportunities, and unnecessary stress.
Let’s break down the often-overlooked costs of running your travel business solo and how joining a host agency like Levarté Travel can help you grow faster, smarter, and more profitably.
1. Paying Full Price for Tools You Can Get Through a Host
CRMs, itinerary builders, email platforms, website hosting…the list goes on. As an independent advisor, you’ll need all of these tools and you’ll often pay full retail price for each one. That adds up fast.
At Levarté, your membership includes discounted access to essential tools like:
- Travefy Pro for creating stunning itineraries (no more copy-paste headaches!)
- A professional custom website, included with your membership
- A full-service CRM that helps you track client details, trips, commissions, and more
Why it matters: Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions and trying to make them work together, Levarté gives you an integrated ecosystem, all designed for travel advisors.
2. The Time You Lose Building Everything From Scratch
You don’t just pay with your wallet when you go solo. You also pay in time. Hours are lost researching tools, setting up systems, learning how to market yourself, cold-emailing suppliers, and creating client forms from scratch.
Levarté members skip the guesswork with access to pre-built marketing templates, branded social media content, a client-ready website, and supplier relationships already in place. Need extra support? The MentorDesk gives you one-on-one help whenever you hit a roadblock. Time is your most valuable asset. Why spend it reinventing the wheel?
3. Missed Opportunities with Lower Commissions and Fewer Supplier Connections
If you’re going solo, chances are your commission levels are lower, especially when you’re just starting out. You’ll also need to spend time cultivating supplier relationships, many of whom won’t offer you the same perks or support they give host agencies with proven track records.
As a Levarté advisor, you benefit from our preferred partner status with top suppliers. That means:
- Higher commission tiers
- Dedicated supplier reps
- Insider promos and marketing content you can pass on to clients
Why it matters: Better commissions = more money in your pocket for the same work.
4. Limited Training and Continuing Education
Solo advisors often find themselves learning on the fly, without a clear roadmap. While Google can help you get started, it can’t replace structured learning from experts and industry pros.
Levarté makes education part of the membership experience. You’ll have access to live trainings twice a week, three intensive weekend trainings per year, and on-demand recordings stored in your advisor Hub. MentorDesk is also there when you need custom support. Continued learning isn’t optional if you want to grow, and Levarté ensures it’s always available.
5. Business Admin Overload
Going independent means you’re responsible for all the unglamorous (but necessary) stuff like getting your business license, finding Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, staying compliant with regulations, and managing your own payments and reporting
Levarté helps lighten the load with guidance and built-in systems. Plus, you’ll get discounted access to industry memberships like CLIA and ASTA, giving you more credibility and networking opportunities. You still own your business, but you’re not alone in running it.
6. Marketing Isn’t Optional (But It Is Time-Consuming)
Running your own marketing strategy can be overwhelming. Between content creation, newsletters, a website, and client communication, it’s a lot to manage.
Levarté makes marketing manageable with AI Connect, a proprietary platform that helps you generate polished marketing materials in minutes. From branded graphics and social media content to ready-to-send email campaigns and a real-time offers page, everything you need to stay visible is at your fingertips. No more burning weekends trying to figure out what to post.
Don’t Go It Alone. Grow With Levarté
There’s a difference between owning your business and having to do everything by yourself. At Levarté, we believe in empowering advisors with the support, tools, and training they need to thrive, not just survive.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the business for years, the hidden costs of independence add up. Joining a host agency like Levarté isn’t a sign of giving up control. It’s a smart move to gain momentum, boost your earnings, and build a business that lasts.
Ready to grow smarter? Learn more about what Levarté offers and how we can help you turn your passion into a thriving business.