Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Campbell.
Hi Jodi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Absolutely! My story really began long before I ever became a travel advisor. I earned my master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota while raising three children — and once my husband’s career began taking him around the world, I decided to stay home full-time to raise our family. I poured my heart into being a mom for over twenty years. When the kids all went off to college, I suddenly found myself wondering who I was outside of motherhood. My confidence had faded, my vocabulary revolved around teenagers, and I wasn’t quite sure what came next.
That’s when travel changed everything. I had the opportunity to start exploring with my husband on his business trips — Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand — and something inside me reignited. Around that same time, I was trying to decide whether to refresh my master’s degree or take a leap of faith into something I truly loved. I chose the leap — I bought a Cruise Planners franchise — and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
My very first educational trip as a new advisor was to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, and it was completely life-changing. I did everything I would one day recommend to my clients — glacier hikes, rail journeys, wildlife viewing, flightseeing over Denali, and even white-water rafting on Class IV rapids in freezing water. I was terrified, but I did it anyway… and that moment gave me my new life motto: “All it takes is twenty seconds of insane courage.” That trip restored my confidence and reminded me that I was capable of so much more than I’d believed.
From there, my business blossomed. I became an Elite Cruise Counselor (CLIA), a Verified Travel Advisor (ASTA), and a Certified Travel Advisor (The Travel Institute) — along with multiple Alaska Specialist designations. Over time, I discovered I couldn’t be everything to everyone, so I narrowed my focus to what I love most: ocean, river, and expedition cruises, particularly in the polar regions and Alaska.
Today, CTK Travel Consultants has grown into a small but mighty team, including my husband, Chris, and our wonderful associates. We help clients explore the world with confidence and wonder — and I still get that same spark every time someone returns from a trip saying, “That was effortless.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth… but the hard parts are what changed me most. When I first started this business, I was coming out of twenty years as a stay-at-home mom. I had poured everything into my kids, and somewhere along the way I forgot who I was. My confidence was almost nonexistent. I didn’t feel smart or interesting, and I was genuinely afraid that I wouldn’t be strong enough to make it in an industry that seemed so bold and outgoing.
In those early years, I said “yes” to everything because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Before long, I was working from sunup to late into the night, barely pausing to breathe. I was grateful for the business, of course — but behind the scenes, I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and still learning how to believe in myself. I didn’t have boundaries or systems. I just had sheer willpower and a desire to prove I could do this.
One of the biggest struggles was learning to give myself permission to grow. To ask for help. To accept that I didn’t have to do it all alone. The day I realized I needed support was the day everything shifted. Bringing on associates, building processes, and learning to lead instead of simply survive… it hasn’t been easy, but it has been healing.
Even now, I look back at that timid woman who didn’t know if she belonged, and I’m amazed by how far she’s come. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every bump taught me something — about courage, about resilience, and about the beauty of rebuilding yourself in the middle of life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cruise Planners. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My Cruise Planners franchise is truly the heart of everything I love about travel — connection, curiosity, and those unforgettable moments that stay with you long after you return home. I specialize in ocean, river, and expedition cruises, with a deep focus on Alaska and the polar regions. Those destinations completely transformed me, and now I help others experience that same sense of wonder and confidence.
What people tell me they value most is the way I care for them. I’m not a transactional advisor — I’m a partner in the entire journey. My clients know they can come to me with anything, and I’ll walk them through every step with warmth, clarity, and genuine excitement. I focus on creating trips that feel effortless, so all they have to do is show up and make memories.
I’m proud to hold some of the highest credentials in the industry — Elite Cruise Counselor (CLIA), Verified Travel Advisor (ASTA), and Certified Travel Advisor (The Travel Institute) — along with multiple Alaska certifications. But what I’m most proud of brand-wise is the trust my clients place in me. Nearly all of my business comes from referrals and repeat travelers, which tells me I’m doing something meaningful and lasting.
CTK Travel Consultants is growing, too. My husband, Chris, and our wonderful associates each bring their own strengths, allowing us to serve clients with even more care and expertise. But at its core, our brand is simple: we help people explore the world with confidence and wonder.
If your readers take away anything, I want them to know this — we don’t just plan trips. We craft experiences that change people, open hearts, and create stories they’ll tell for years. And we do it with kindness, calm, and a whole lot of joy.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Without a doubt, it’s genuine care. I lead with my heart in everything I do, and my clients feel that. They know I’m not just booking a trip — I’m paying attention to who they are, what matters to them, and how I can make their journey feel effortless, meaningful, and memorable.
I think that level of care comes from where I started. Rebuilding my confidence later in life taught me how important it is for people to feel seen and supported. So I show up for my clients the way I needed someone to show up for me — with warmth, patience, and a calm confidence that lets them breathe easier.
Curiosity is another part of it. I’m always learning, always growing, always diving deeper into my specialties so I can give clients the kind of guidance that comes from real expertise. That passion for education — paired with a true love of people — creates an experience they don’t often find elsewhere.
At the end of the day, success in this industry isn’t about how many trips you book. It’s about how you make people feel. And I want every client to feel cared for, understood, and excited to explore the world, knowing I’m right there with them every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ctktravelconsultants.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruiseplannersjodicampbell
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodicampbellcruiseplanners
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-campbell-cruise-planners
- Other: https://cplnk.us/s/eQR3NcAC
