Meet Christi Esterle | Land and Cruise Travel Advisor with Cruise Planners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christi Esterle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christi, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
The variety and versatility of the experiences that are available to travelers, especially in cruising. I talk to a lot of people who say “I tried cruising once and didn’t really like it,” and then find out they went on a Carnival ship twenty years ago. So much has changed in the industry even in the seven years since I started selling travel: flexible dining times and dress codes are available on most ships, new players have come into the field (like Virgin Voyages adults-only cruise ships) and more and more lines are offering all-inclusive packages rather than nickel-and-diming passengers on things like drink packages and crew gratuities. There’s a cruise line, all-inclusive resort, or tour package for every type of traveler out there, which is why it’s important to work with a travel advisor who will help match you to the vacation that fits you personally.

What should our readers know about your business?
At the end of 2011, I left my job in library services to stay at home with our two kids. When both of them were in preschool, I started to turn my thoughts back to my professional life–and in order to remain flexible for my family, I started looking into ways to work from home. In researching options, I found Cruise Planners. I have always loved the process of planning a vacation almost as much as taking it, from the days when I would study the Rand McNally Atlas before our family road trips, and Cruise Planners offered a good support structure for someone like me who was new to both the industry and owning my own business.

I purchased my franchise in 2016 and for the next four years worked at building my client base and establishing myself in the industry. At the beginning of 2020, I was certain that I had a firm foundation and was ready to enter a growth phase. Then everything shut down. For a month…for two months…for the foreseeable future. To say that the situation was discouraging is an understatement; at a time when people were barely leaving their houses, selling travel definitely felt like a sucker’s bet. But support from my host agency and the state pandemic unemployment program helped me keep the lights on, and my networking partners helped keep me focused and accountable at a time when I felt adrift and unfocused. I kept up with my training, kept an eye on updates as we took our first tentative steps towards reopening, and did my best to stay positive and encourage others to look forward to the things they could do “when this is over.” My tenacity was rewarded: by 2021 my revenue had already nearly recovered to what it had been before the shutdown, and 2022 and 2023 are bringing the growth that I sought.

Also in 2022, I was diagnosed with and began treatment for ADHD. I don’t fit the model people think of when they hear of that condition: I’m an adult woman rather than a restless ten-year-old boy, and my “hyperactivity” tends to manifest more as an alternation between daydreaming and intense focus on a particular subject (which may or may not be what I should be focusing on at the moment!). But it has given me a greater understanding of the source of both my strengths and weaknesses as a person and a professional, and has helped me work in a way where I can be both productive and happy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely start with all the natural wonders that surround us: Garden of the Gods, Red Rock Canyon, the cog railway up Pike’s Peak, and Paint Mines to name a few. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is always a great place to feed the giraffes and see the amazing views of the city. Because so many of my friends are theater and music people, I’d also want to share the incredible arts scene we have in this area, especially Theatreworks and the Fine Arts Center. Favorite restaurants include The Loop and Mona’s Cellar in Manitou Springs, Jack Quinn’s for some good comfort food, or Skirted Heifer when I’m in the mood for a “damn the calories, full speed ahead” burger and fries. We have a lot of great craft breweries but I’m more of a wine person, and Wines of Colorado is a great place to pick up my favorite state vintages–or find my new favorite in the tasting room!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my husband Steve deserves a great deal of credit for supporting me in taking the step of going into business for myself and in all the ups and downs of getting off the ground and finding clients and dealing with a once-in-a-century pandemic shutting everything down just as I was starting to grow. My parents have always been a nurturing and supporting presence throughout my life and this was no exception, as they were among my first clients.

Being a solopreneur is a huge undertaking, and I wouldn’t have been able to manage it without the help of my host agency, Cruise Planners. From the moment I joined with them they’ve provided me with the tools, training, and ongoing support I need to help my clients and stay current in a constantly changing field.

Finally, a good deal of my growth in the past year has been due to my BNI chapter, Dynamic Alliances. Through them I have a strong network of local business owners I can depend on when I need something, and who in turn help connect me with the people who are most in need of my services.

Instagram: instagram.com/christiesterlecp

Facebook: facebook.com/allwhowandertravel

Other: Business Website: AllWhoWanderTravel.com