From policing to travel – Wendy’s inspiring career change with The Travel Franchise

Read how one franchisee was supported to start her own thriving travel business from home

After over two decades in the police force, Wendy never expected to be running her own travel business, but thanks to The Travel Franchise, that’s exactly where she’s found her new purpose.

For 23 years, Wendy worked in frontline and detective roles, including safeguarding and public protection. “Being a police officer was all I ever wanted to do,” she says. “It was more than a career – it was who I was.”

But everything changed when she began experiencing strange symptoms in her hands and legs. A spinal cord compression diagnosis followed, along with surgery, physiotherapy, and an eventual return to work – but only in a reduced capacity.

Despite her determination, the lasting damage led to a medical retirement at 42 – far earlier than she’d planned. “I thought I’d bounce back fully,” Wendy admits. “When that didn’t happen, it hit me hard – physically and emotionally.”

With four children at home and a deep desire to keep making a difference, Wendy began looking for a flexible new career that still allowed her to support others. That’s when she found The Travel Franchise.

She joined in September 2024, attracted by the chance to work from home, set her own hours, and receive full training with no prior experience required. “I’d always worked in a close-knit team, so I was worried about feeling isolated,” Wendy says. “But from day one, I felt part of a family.”

“I was worried about feeling isolated, but from day one I felt part of a family.”

With one-to-one mentoring and ongoing business support from The Travel Franchise, Wendy launched her travel consultancy with confidence. She now builds bespoke holidays for a growing base of clients, many of whom come from her emergency services network.

Her ability to connect with people, stay organised and communicate clearly – all skills honed in policing – have made her a natural fit for travel planning. And through the company’s Partners in Travel scheme, she donates a portion of her commission to charities supporting police, fire and ambulance staff when referred bookings come in.

“This business has given me so much,” she says. “I’ve got independence again, and I’m more present as a wife and mum. I genuinely love what I do.”

Wendy’s journey is one of many made possible by The Travel Franchise – a brand that specialises in helping people from all backgrounds start their own travel businesses. From healthcare to hospitality, teaching to logistics, no previous travel experience is needed, just commitment and a passion for helping others.

Franchisees benefit from world-class training, expert mentoring, and a supportive community that’s always on hand, making it easier than ever to build a rewarding business from home.

For Wendy, it’s not just a new job – it’s a second chance, and a future she’s proud of.