Meet Laura Long

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Long.

Laura, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Great question. I have reinvented myself many times and all of these experiences led me to where I am today. I started many years ago in the travel industry with Eastern Airlines as a flight attendant and then an airline recruiter. Sadly, Eastern went bankrupt in the early 90’s. It was a sad day for me but the travel over every major holiday took its toll and so at that point I had decided to move on. I then went on to start a family and became very intrigued with education and became certified to teach special ed. I fell in love with these special students and their families and spent the next 15 years teaching and learning. Around my last year of teaching, while my son was at Georgia Tech working on his Mechanical Engineering degree, I learned that he had a very rare disease that would rob him of his eyesight. At this point, I spent the next many years working to find a cure, a clinical trial, a research study – anything I could do to help. It turns out my sons’ condition was so rare that he would not even be able to be admitted to a clinical trial. This was devastating to us because this meant that we were out of options. At this point, I began to learn everything I could about his condition and I learned that employment statistics were bleak for those with visual impairments. This was unacceptable to me and at this point, my husband and I began to research business opportunities. I still had the yearning to be involved again in the travel industry and came across Expedia CruiseShipCenters. I was familiar with Expedia and knew they must be a great company. This would allow me to do some of the things I had done before like recruiting and Teaching. We have just started our 4th year and currently have a team of 32 Travel consultants.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been challenging for sure as all new business is. The support from our corporate office has been exceptional. However, there is nothing they can do to help with the many hats we have to wear. We are recruiters to bring in the best team, Trainers to get them onboard. We are, our top sales and service experts, marketers and office managers, Getting the right people in place has also been a challenge. Many folks are intrigued by the travel industry and they do not realize it takes hard work to be successful. It is a two way street and not one way in which they get travel perks.

Some things are completely out of our control such as hurricanes. We would work on a booking or group and then suddenly through no fault of ours they would have to cancel due to weather. During these times, we would lose any potential earnings from the business and would not be paid for months of work.

The last thing we are still finding a struggle is staying up to date on the many many suppliers we work with. Each one of them has a different set of terms and conditions, promotions, products and ships, with new ones coming out every year. This has been very challenging.

The workload is a challenge and it is like trying to take 20 pounds of stuff and fit it into a ten pound bag. No matter how efficient you become, it will never fit. We hope to soon be bringing on some administrative help.

Tell us more about the business.
We are a retail Travel Agency that is part of the Expedia family of brands. Our vacation consultants offer trustworthy advice and personalized service that customers expect from a locally owned and operated business. The cruise industry is booming and cruisers enjoy the highest satisfaction rate of any vacation and nine out of ten cruisers say they will cruise again. Cruise is what we specialize in while offering a multitude of other products as well.

We are known for our parent, Expedia, and the best choice and prices, We provide the advice and services that travelers want but can’t get online. What truly sets us apart is incredible buying power to set up group space and then offer unbeatable prices on many itineraries when booked at least six months in advance. 

I am most proud of our consultant team and the client focused nature in which they do their work always putting client needs first. We have an amazing team of 30 travel advisors who are Navigators of spectacular Vacation experiences. What sets us apart is the level of our service and expertise we bring to our clients. We navigate through the complexity of planning to create a truly spectacular vacation experience. Also, we are always there for our clients, before, during and after the trip.

I am proud to be entering our 4th year in the Lawrenceville area and to be a part of such a great travel brand, Expedia. I am proud when I client seeks us out to do something so personal and important as to plan their most valuable time with family and friends.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I do not feel luck plays a very big role in our business. Once and a while we will meet someone who wants to transfer their business to us after they have booked because they know we will take very good care of their booking. When this happens we feel very fortunate and lucky. This is not often and any success we have achieved has been through extremely hard work.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3157 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Ga 30045, Suite 160
• Website: www.cruiseshipcenters.com/lawrenceville
• Phone: 470-282-0227
• Email: lawrenceville@cruiseshipcenters.com
• Instagram: expedia cruiseshipcenterseast
• Facebook: ecsc lawrenceville

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