Sponsored by Cruise Planners
It’s often said that “the path to success is not a straight line.” This sentiment perfectly captures the journey of Kara Beutel, a wife and mother of two from Pennsylvania, who became a Cruise Planners Travel Advisor after exploring various careers, including a brief stint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Today, Kara successfully books over seven figures in travel annually, but her road to this fulfilling career was far from predictable.
Armed with degrees in Nutrition, Criminal Justice, and Chemistry, Kara initially pursued a career in medicine and later spent five years working for the FBI. Despite these impressive accomplishments, Kara found herself lacking passion for these paths.
As a mother, she desired a career that not only fulfilled her professionally but also allowed her to be present in her children’s lives. Reflecting on this, Kara shared, “I don’t want them to remember me as the mom who was always working and always ignoring them.”
This desire for balance and fulfillment led Kara to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a travel professional. Her mother, Tracy Bonetti, started the family’s Cruise Planners franchise in 2001, allowing them to enjoy countless travel adventures together. Kara fondly recalls one such experience: “I remember doing homework on a four-night cruise when I was 11.”
When Kara first approached her mother about joining the family business, she was met with resistance. Tracy initially declined, explaining, “I said ‘NO!’ For two reasons: just because I wanted her to give one more year to her business at the time. Also, I didn’t want to ruin our relationship; we’ve always gotten along so well.” But Kara’s persistence paid off, and after a year, Tracy agreed.
Nearly six years later, Kara has taken over the business entirely, allowing her mother to enjoy retirement. Reflecting on their partnership, Kara noted, “Working with [my mother] actually went so much better than she anticipated. There were things that I brought to the business that she hadn’t considered, so there were new ways of looking at things.”
Kara’s story is a powerful testament to the work-life balance that a Cruise Planners franchise can offer. As a work from home parent, she has crafted a career that fits her lifestyle, fulfills her passions, and allows her to be present for her family.
Whether she’s dropping the kids off at school or taking a walk with her husband for some quality time, Kara enjoys the flexibility that comes with being her own boss. “My kids are little at this point, so I am in a season of life where my focus is more on them than it is on growing the business,” Kara says. “But as they get older, that will shift, and I have watched that shift happen with my mom.”
Is a Cruise Planners Home Travel Business Right for You?
Kara’s journey shows that it’s possible to have a successful career without sacrificing family time. If you’re looking for a career that offers flexibility, fulfillment, and the chance to work from anywhere, Cruise Planners might be the perfect opportunity for you.
- No experience necessary
- Training and ongoing coaching
- Award-winning marketing support
- Best-in-industry technology
- Be your own boss
- Work from anywhere
- Earn money selling amazing travel experiences
Curious about what a day in the life of a Cruise Planners Travel Advisor looks like? Tag along with Kara in her Day-in-the-Life video and explore even more inspiring stories from women working from home on our YouTube channel.
Sponsored by Cruise Planners. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.