SuperAgent: Meet Karen Sheldon, Creating Community From Home

When you work out of a home office, it can be easy to grow isolated. But for Karen Sheldon, launching her own agency has expanded her horizons to new friends, partners, and activities that have helped her build a sense of community, and do good for others. And of course, having a great partner doesn’t hurt.

Sheldon’s agency, Between Trips Travel of Littleton, MA, has become an area magnet for fund raising, as she integrates her business into a variety of charities that benefit local and regional organizations. For example, Between Trips recently launched a program that will donate a portion of the profits from designated travel reservations to the AYJ Fund, which helps those with a rare kind of brain cancer.

The AYJ Fund was created by Kathy and Joe Arabia in honor of their daughter, Anna Yan Ji Arabia, who passed away at the age of 16 after a three-year battle with gliomatosis cerebri. Funds are distributed for cancer research for terminally ill children, and to Boston’s Children’s Hospital’s Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund Clinic. For example, the AYJ Fund distributes iPad Minis to teens who are unable to attend school while they are being treated at Dana-Farber.

Sheldon also has supported funding for Castle in the Trees, which is building a new children’s playground in Littleton, the local PTA, and her place of worship.

Between Trips advertises the various fund raisers and her agency through the organizations, helping build awareness of her business while also helping her community. “If we do purchase any paid advertising, it is supporting the local schools and charities,” she said.

Sheldon owned Between Trips Travel since 2008. Prior to that, she worked at a local brick-and-mortar agency for about seven years until she “realized I needed to do my own thing.”

For about three years, Sheldon was a sole proprietor, building her brand and client list. At a CLIA training in 2011, she met another agent, Jodi Howe, who lived and worked in the same part of suburban Boston. “We got to talking and realized the similarities—like we both had adopted a child from Russia,” she said.

The two stayed in touch following the training. “We did a lot of sharing, discussing best practices, bouncing ideas off each other. Her niche is Europe and family travel. I was developing a niche in honeymoons, romance, and empty nesters.”

One day, Howe broached the subject of working together, and they officially launched their partnership in February 2012. Now the two co-own both Between Trips and a hosted agency with Avoya.

The partnership with Howe has helped Sheldon grow her firm. “She does all of the graphics, our website, managing our Facebook page,” Sheldon said. “I just don’t have the time and she’s really good at it. It really works out well having two people with different skills. I get complimented all the time on our business card.”

The partnership also helps with back-office operations. Howe is in charge of invoicing, and of course can handle the phones when Sheldon is traveling. “Knowing that another person is there really helps,” she said.

While Howe was living in Massachusetts when they formed their partnership, the family moved to Buffalo, NY, when a job opportunity appeared for her husband. “It was a little tricky at first being so far apart; we didn’t have the face-to-face time. We would be on instant messenger several times a day to communicate.”

Being in two separate states also meant extra expenses, like obtaining a travel insurance license in New York. “When you’re looking at seller of travel laws, that’s something to consider. You have to double the logistics.”

In the end, Sheldon thrives because she enjoys the personal connections that her business requires. Being so engaged in activities and fund raisers locally, Sheldon has a deep customer base from booking so many family vacations over the years.

“Now, I’m booking trips for the moms and dads as they go off without the kids. And I have a lot of empty nesters who are looking at the Caribbean off-season, and guided tours,” she said.