Start a home-based travel advisor business

Vacationing families, couples, honeymooners, retirees and groups planning weddings or reunions. Suppliers such as cruise lines and resorts pay commission, and some clients pay a planning fee.

Commission from suppliers on bookings (often paid after the client travels), plus planning or service fees for complex trips. Your host agency usually takes a share of commission.

• Good listening and trip planning
• Organized with details and deadlines
• Comfortable with booking websites and email
• Patient and good at customer service

• Some states have seller of travel registration or bond rules (for example California, Florida, Washington and a few others), so check your state's requirements
• Errors and omissions insurance, which many host agencies require or offer, and general liability insurance
• Commissions are often paid only after the trip, so cash flow can be slow at first
• Check for home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules if clients visit or you run the business from home
• Avoid host agencies that charge high upfront fees or promise easy income

Startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on the host agency you join, your insurance and how much you spend on marketing. These are estimates, so compare what each host agency charges before you sign up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $3,000, depending on how many clients you book and which trips they choose. Commissions are often paid only after the trip, so cash flow can be slow at first.

Check your state's rules. Some states, such as California, Florida and Washington, have seller of travel registration or bond rules. Also check errors and omissions and general liability insurance, plus any home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules.