Building Their Future Together: An Executive Couple Decides to Make Business Ownership Work for Them

Building Their Future Together: An Executive Couple Decides to Make Business Ownership Work for Them

After a long and successful career in advertising, which culminated as CEO and COO, respectively, at two Manhattan ad agencies, Mary Beth Casey decided to retire. Looking ahead to their future, her husband David, who had enjoyed an equally successful career in hospitality sales and marketing, agreed that together the couple should open a business and shore up their finances, ensuring they could eventually live the retirement they had dreamed of.

Figuring Out What They Wanted in a Business

"We thought about a franchise right away because we knew the benefits would include a proven business model that could be expanded. We wrote down our criteria for a business and used Google to find Franchise.com," explained Casey.

The couple took into account the fact that they wanted to utilize David's sales and marketing experience in the hospitality industry and Mary Beth's business and advertising experience, in which she often served hospitality industry clients. Together, they knew their knowledge and skills could be powerful if they worked as a team. They also kept in mind the fact that they wanted to purchase a business that had the potential to make a large amount of money, but wouldn't cost a lot to invest in. Finally, the Caseys were looking for a business that would be fun. Casey commented, "We wanted to own a business that we'd enjoy well into our senior years."

Plans Change but the Business Search Continued

While the Caseys searched for a business to buy, David was offered a job which was too good to pass up. He accepted the new position which was located in Florida, close to their second home. The couple decided to sell their Connecticut home and now live in Florida full-time. "David and I are equal partners in our LLC but for now, while he is working, I will be the managing partner in this business," explained Mary Beth. Eventually, David will join Mary Beth in running the business. 

The Caseys continued their business search. "We found Franchise.com to be well-organized, clean, simple, easy to read, and quite comprehensive. I didn't need to click too much to get to where I wanted to be on the site," Casey said.

The couple narrowed their search to two or three concepts. When they requested information from Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, Casey was surprised by how thorough the information she received from the company was; "They provided us with much more information than I had expected. It answered all of our preliminary questions, and helped us formulate additional questions to ask."

She continued, "What really sold us on the franchise concept was our visit to the company's headquarters in Vancouver. The system at Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® has worked for 22 years. Not only do they gain customers for life, but they have the most sophisticated industry-leading Customer Relationship Management platform (CRM), called CruiseDesk®. The technology is just amazing. The support they offer is way beyond what we had expected. Plus, the brand name has already brought me instant recognition and respect as I've been searching for a retail location."

No Previous Experience is Required

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® does not require you to have previous cruise or travel industry experience to qualify. Franchisees benefit from a turn-key business system and the power of being part of the #1 brand in the travel industry. Franchisees also benefit from massive buying power, an award-winning marketing program, and industry-leading technology.

The Caseys purchased their Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise about a month ago and they couldn't be more pleased with their decision; "Corporate has already been so indulgent with me. It's been a really positive experience working with them and I truly feel that I have an entire organization helping me to succeed." Casey will be attending five days of training at Cruise Management Academy in Vancouver shortly.

The Caseys feel positive about their future. "Our long term goal is to be the leading U.S. franchise for Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®. We plan to meet and exceed our financial objectives while staying conservative in our spending. Additionally, it is my goal to create personal connections with my sales consultants and my clients. I feel that these connections will lead to our success," said Casey. Someday, in the distant future, the couple plans to retire. In the meantime, they're looking forward to building an exciting and fun business together.

The Right Franchise in an Exciting Industry

The cruise industry offers great growth potential for franchise owners. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), "the cruise industry is the most exciting growth category in the entire leisure market. Since 1990, the industry has had an average annual passenger growth rate of 7.4% per annum. Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® has far exceeded the industry with an average growth rate of 30% annually for more than two decades. Over the next three years, 51 million North Americans indicate intent to cruise." To accommodate these passengers, the industry is spending billions of dollars on new and innovative ships. By 2013, 31 more ships will be added to the CLIA fleet.

Many Americans are taking advantage of deep discounts which are available right now in the cruise industry. Cruising is a high repeat business and many cruisers become loyal for life. With many new and exciting cruise ships entering into the market in coming years, the discounted rates will diminish but consumers will continue to go on cruises.   

 "Going on a cruise is different because it's all-inclusive; it's a complete vacation package. 70% of cruise customers still want to speak with someone before booking their tickets. Expedia® offers these customers the perfect combination of the best value and the best expertise in the industry," Casey explained.

Expedia® is the most recognized name in travel. Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise owners have the ability to look for the best value for clients based on a wide range of criteria including exclusive rates, special pricing for residents of certain states, adults age 55+ and any special offers that become available.

Casey concluded by stating that unlike most franchise concepts the couple had researched, Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® offers them an unparalleled opportunity to grow their business. "…not only will we have a full-blown retail center, where I will work with another employee and additional contractors but we've also signed our franchise agreement so that we can hire home-based and mobile sales consultants throughout the country! This unique business model with both a retail location and mobile agents anywhere in the country enables us to grow as large as we want!"

The sky is truly the limit as the Caseys build their business and secure their future.