Janel Carnero (Photo Credit: Janelle Carnero)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Janel Carnero, a luxury travel advisor at EMBARK Beyond.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
You can thank Facebook for my career change! I was looking for a new challenge after leaving the intense, 90-hour work weeks and high-stakes environment of the trucking industry, where I managed multi-million-dollar companies.
Suddenly, I had traded the fast lane for a slow walk, and I needed to put all that strategic energy somewhere. After a deep dive on my ‘dream job’ (thanks, late-night survey!), I landed on luxury travel. I realized this industry had all the complexities, high-touch service requirements and strategic networking that I thrived on—but with a lot less asphalt!
I knew if I was going to transition, I couldn’t just casually start booking trips. I treated this career change like a strategic business takeover. My first step was seeking out the absolute best in the industry – those top-tier industry leaders who had seen it all.
My mission was to build a powerful circle around them, absorbing every detail to learn the good, the bad and the truly ugly of the business. My years in corporate management taught me that success isn’t about luck; it’s about preparation, execution and surrounding yourself with the elite. That dedication to mastering the game is what sets my approach to travel planning apart today.
How did you build your business over the years?
Pure hustle, fueled by New Mexico grit. Since key suppliers and tourism boards don’t exactly line up at our door, I knew from day one I had to be the one traveling and networking – non-stop! Building this business was about making myself indispensable: investing heavily in continued training, forging deep supplier relationships and being willing to give all my time and energy. I was determined to bridge that gap and bring the world’s best resources directly to my clients.
That dedication meant I was a fixture at every local gala, business meetup and community event I could find. My strategy was to treat my community as my greatest resource and my mentors as my personal advisory board.
I had to be a sponge, absorbing every bit of feedback and learning rapidly from every mistake I made. Success didn’t just happen; it was earned by putting in the work and proving that a world-class luxury advisor could absolutely thrive right here.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
My secret weapon is the business mindset I developed over years of managing and owning multiple successful companies in the trucking industry and hospitality. I didn’t start as a typical advisor; I started as the CEO of logistics.
That background gave me the foundation to tap into my strategic thinking, anticipate potential issues and manage complex itineraries with surgical precision. It’s the difference between booking a trip and expertly managing a multi-million dollar operation – just the operation is my client’s dream vacation.
This high-level logistics focus is paired with a fierce commitment to relentless, formalized learning. From day one, I prioritized finding the best teachers, which is why I sought out the in-depth apprentice program with Embark Beyond – a program solely focused on growth and excellence.
My success isn’t just about knowing destinations; it’s about applying a sophisticated business strategy, forging deep supplier relationships, learning from the elite mentors in the industry and having the humility to put in the boots-on-the-ground hustle that sets a true professional apart.
What have been your greatest challenges?
The biggest challenge was the perfect storm of ‘newness.’ I was new to the industry, new to working for myself, and new to facing my own self-doubt about starting a demanding career shift at almost 40 years old. I had to pump myself up constantly to feel worthy of standing next to the industry’s incredible icon – though, in every moment, they reminded me I belonged.
On the logistical side, my location in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was a huge hurdle. Being so far from supplier hubs meant that in three years, I’ve only met two suppliers that happened to come close enough to be willing to meet in my hometown!
I’ve had to travel the world to forge those deep, necessary relationships. Plus, finding high-level clientele in my area meant constantly having to dig deep and push my networking limits.
Every obstacle, from geography to self-doubt, simply forced me to become a more resilient and resourceful advisor.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
My greatest accomplishments lie in impact – both within the travel industry and in my community. On the industry side, it’s been an incredible honor to be named a Travel + Leisure Rising Star and to be quoted in over a dozen top-tier publications, including Robb Report, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
I’ve also had the privilege of sitting on 12 different travel forum panels to share my journey and expertise.
But what truly makes every long day and night worth it is the ability to mentor new advisors, helping them successfully build their own businesses. Even more rewarding is the philanthropic work: forging a deep relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and creating unique ‘travel trees’ and trips for auction. Knowing that those efforts directly generate funds to grant wishes for children in our area is the ultimate definition of success for me.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
My number one tip is simple: Don’t hesitate to reach out! Connect with the advisors you aspire to be and learn from. Trust me, they are absolutely excited and willing to mentor and help you. Building that elite circle is the fastest way to succeed.
Second, give yourself grace. Self-doubt is completely normal, especially when starting a new venture. Remember, even the most senior advisor still makes mistakes. Your goal is to turn those messes into masterpieces by learning from every single stumble. You have the drive and the vision, you just have to be willing to put in the strategic work – and you absolutely can do it!
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