From ASBOs to Oz: Rachel Lodge Launches New Personal Travel Service
Former police officer, Rachel Lodge, is used to helping people after a long police career – only these days, she’s using her skills to find people the perfect holiday, complete with car hire, tours, transfers and travel insurance, having qualified as an Independent Travel Agent.
Her new role is a far cry from her final role with the Police, where, as an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, Rachel would liaise with local authorities, community groups and social services. It was a role that Rachel loved, she explains:
“I came into the ASB role quite late in my career, having previously worked in child protection, general police work and CID, however it’s always been my desire to help people and make a difference and the ASB role was where I felt I was able to have the most impact – and I loved it.
“However, it was time to move on and do something for myself, and travel has always been my passion. I had long dreamed of setting up my own travel agency, so took the exams and handed in my notice.
“It’s fantastic that I can now work from home helping people fulfil their travel dreams!”
It’s certainly a drastic change of career. We asked Rachel what brought about the decision. She says:
“My passion for travel is something I have had for most of my adult life. It started when as a teenager I had the wonderful opportunity to stay for a month with an American family in Virginia USA. This was an amazing trip and I am still in contact with the family and their friends 38 years later!
“It’s a passion I share with my 77 year old Mother, who thinks nothing of flying to Australia and cruising back every other year. Ironically Australasia is the only continent I haven’t visited. I have been to the arctic circle in the north and the Falkland Islands in the South. A travel agency seemed the perfect way to combine a new career with that passion.”
Rachel is already enjoying success with her contacts at business networking meetings, and says this is due to the personal service she offers:
“Networking is great – I tend to view it as meeting new friends – and they say my background and the fact they know me personally gives them confidence to book with me. I can honestly say, I am loving every minute so far.
“I get asked for all the usual holidays, such as Popular Holiday Resorts, Disney, Cruises and international holiday packages – and they are ABTA/ATOL covered.
“However, I can also cater for independent travellers, who perhaps just want to book a flight, a holiday rental or a hotel – which I can offer across the Globe. I also offer pre-booked tours, car hire, transfers and travel insurance at reasonable rates.
Her new role means Rachel can also work from home, a far cry from her police days:
“Things have changed a lot since I joined the Force, but having children was a challenge with the job – when I was younger, I was on mixed shifts so sometimes I would finish work at 3am to be back up for the 6am feed! Thankfully the rules are a bit better now for returning Mums – but my new business is a lot more flexible!”
To learn more about Rachel’s Retreat Travel Shop, you can visit Rachel’s Website: http://rachellodge.inteletravel.uk/booktravel.cfm and can also find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachellodge17/ .
