I took some time off for Labor Day. Not much has happened to the site since I have a bunch of things to do behind the scenes before we officially launch.

Since my last post, I have completed the following:

1. Moved our email service over to Google Workspace. If you join Tiki Room Travel as an agent, you will receive an email through Google Workspace, so your email address will be yourname@tikiroomtravel.com. I love Workspace, the cost is minimal and the benefit to me is incredible.
2. Wrote a blog post about the new Free Dining Card promo released for WDW this morning, so the site is up-to-date: https://www.tikiroomtravel.com/2024-disney-world-free-disney-dining-card/
3. Added Tiki Room Travel into Google Business. This allows me to control how Tiki Room Travel looks on Google searches and makes it look much prettier when someone searches for us. Still waiting on verification, hopefully soon.
4. Filed my LLC paperwork with the state. As part of the process, I also got a new EIN from the IRS for the new entity. I almost uniquely create single-entity LLCs where I am the sole owner. That means the LLC does not need to file separate tax returns, all income and expenses go directly on my returns.
5. Started the process of opening a bank account. For this young project, I am using Novo Bank, an online-only bank. I have had accounts at Novo before, they will work well since all of my income and expenses will be via ACH. Eventually, as the agency grows, I will probably need to move to Chase, where I have a few business accounts.

That is quite a bit, but still a lot more to do.

1. CLIA vs IATA. For the previous version of Tiki Room Travel, I had a CLIA number, which is still in place at Disney. I am going to need to decide here soon if I want to go back to CLIA or apply for IATA. I much prefer IATA if possible, it is cheaper and more well known, but harder to get. CLIA is easy to get, and great if you are only booking cruises, but quite a bit more expensive. In the long run, I would rather have IATA, but I have had issues with Disney and other travel providers since I already own two agencies with IATA numbers, I fear adding a third will cause everything to break. Apparently, both Disney and IATA are not set up for one person owning multiple agencies. (Went with IATA, just a much better option long-term. Application sent to IATA on September 14, application approved on September 19!)
2. Update my information with Disney. Whether I go with CLIA or IATA, I will have to notify Disney of the update to my number as well as updates to addresses, contacts, and EIN so they have all current information. Normally new agencies would need to apply to Disney and be approved, but since I was approved previously, I can skip this step and just update my information when available. (Update form sent to Disney on September 19, Still waiting on approval)
3. Create an account with VAX, which is the provider of Universal vacations. (Account created on September 20)
4. Get our CRM set up. I have used TESS in the past, but I am open to other options. I am currently looking at other travel agent CRMs (there aren’t many), and should know soon which direction to go. I will probably not set up the CRM until after I officially launch.
5. Write new blog posts, so I have a backlog of posts all ready to go once I launch. (5 posts completed as of October 19. I will write one or two more today).
6. Business cards. I am contemplating whether I will need business cards. I tend to forget to carry cards with me, so I rarely have them, henceforth, I rarely use them. Maybe I will order them after launch if I need them. (Business card template has been designed, ready to go as of October 19)
7. Set up accounting. I use Wave, they are free for what I do and it works well. Once my bank account is fully open, I will do this step and get my account linked with Wave. (Account set up on Wave on September 13)
8. Finish training documents for new agents. Training won’t be extensive but will include a few steps, the College of Disney Knowledge, and some practice quotes. I expect most agents will graduate in about 2 weeks. (Training and other documents completed October 18)
9. In addition to training documents, I realized I need to also create a contract, New Agent Guide (currently 12 pages!) and an agent FAQ sheet template. (All completed on September 18)
10. Create a “TEAM” page to highlight Tiki Travel Room agents. (Team page completed September 12)
11. Finish the marketing calendar for the first 90 days after we open
12. Sign up with Square and create invoices and subscriptions for billing new agents. (completed September 13)

I know there will be more, so many more. I hope to be done with all of this by the end of next week, so we can launch mid-September. Fingers crossed!