Travel advisor nets $7.5K in Carnival business plan challenge

Carnival's 'Your Winning Plan' business success series culminated Wednesday evening with a grand finale event in Houston, where Stanley's plan was singled out. Entrepreneur Daymon John of ABC's 'Shark Tank' fame announced the winner before a crowd of hundreds of travel advisors.

More than a thousand submissions

Stanley's winning plan was chosen among more than a thousand ubmissions.

She was one of eight semifinalists competing for the grand prize. The distinction earned Stanley $5,000 in addition to the $2,500 award given to all semifinalists, intended to help jump-start their winning business plans.

John announced the win after taking part in a chat about business with Carnival's Adolfo Perez, SVP global sales and trade marketing.

Passion and energy

'The insightful advice Daymond John shared perfectly complements the entrepreneurial development tools, tips and resources that have made "Your Winning Plan" an empowering extension of our relationship with our valued travel advisor partners,' Perez said. 'The travel advisors who invested in their business by participating in this program created plans that show the passion they put toward our industry’s success every day, and it’s inspiring to see great energy behind putting those plans in motion.'

The grand finale completed a series of events that brought together travel advisors from across the country in cooperation with America’s Small Business Development Centers, a partner of the US Small Business Association. A panel from Carnival, Cruise Lines International Association and the American Society of Travel Advisors judged the business plans submitted.