Thinking about building a team of independent contractors but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Growing an agency with intention takes more than just a stack of leads and a few SOPs. If you want real retention and scalable success, mentorship has to be the foundation.
Jordan Rush and Kim Hebert, co-owners of Explorateur Travel, have a few tips on how they run their IC onboarding program and are sharing why the cohort-based mentorship model has transformed their agency.
Why Mentorship, Not Just Management, Matters
One of the biggest misconceptions in this industry is that building a team means offloading overflow. But as Jordan and Kim emphasize, mentorship isn’t about handing off leads; it’s about pouring into people. Their onboarding model reflects this belief, offering eight months of guided support to every new advisor they bring on.
Their approach? Start advisors in cohorts so everyone begins at the same point. This gives new team members shared language, aligned timelines, and consistent expectations, which is the very things that helps eliminate confusion and reduce attrition. Mentorship calls, resource audits, and tool check-ins are part of the weekly rhythm.
The Power of the Cohort Model
While many host agencies onboard advisors individually, Explorateur Travel runs a once-a-year IC cohort. Why? Intentional growth means setting aside the time and energy to do it well. Their advisors don’t just get a 10-week training. They receive continuous support for eight months.
Key takeaways from their model:
- Consistency breeds confidence. Every cohort follows the same mentorship path, giving the team a common knowledge base.
- Community encourages retention. Advisors aren’t learning in isolation. They’re connecting in private Slack channels, cheering each other on, and sharing wins and roadblocks in real-time.
- Intentionality protects culture. They’d rather wait for the right advisor than rush to fill a seat.
Their average cohort size? Around 5–10 advisors. No magic number, just a focus on quality over quantity.
Recruiting With Purpose
Explorateur Travel begins planning its next cohort in the summer, with a clear cadence for marketing, interviewing, and onboarding. Most of their applications come from referrals, social media, and even past clients who fell in love with the experience. Every applicant talks to both Jordan and Kim separately.
Jordan focuses on understanding motivation, mindset, and values. Kim looks for follow-through, systems thinking, and cultural alignment. It’s not just about skills. It’s about synergy.
What They Provide Their Advisors
From the moment someone says yes, Explorateur provides:
- Contracts + ethical expectations agreement
- CRM access with fully built workflows (multiple types!)
- Itinerary software
- A personalized webpage and contact form
- ClickUp training portal with video modules and resources
- Private Slack channels + team-wide community
- Ongoing office hours with Kim and Jordan
Plus, they open doors to industry opportunities: trade shows, supplier relationships, and exclusive FAMs. This isn’t just training. It’s an ecosystem.
The Reality of Profitability
Mentorship isn’t fast cash. Jordan and Kim are honest: they didn’t see profitability from their IC program until they passed 25 advisors. And even now, the ROI isn’t just about commission splits. It’s about the brand legacy they’re building with their ICs as ambassadors.
This approach only works if you’re willing to trade some of your own client time for mentorship hours. If you’re not ready to invest in others or share your brand, the IC model might not be your best fit.
So, Are You Ready to Build?
If you’re looking to scale your travel business through mentorship, not just management, take a page from Explorateur Travel’s playbook:
- Map out your recruitment calendar early
- Build a strong onboarding system
- Start in cohorts to create culture and community
- Offer real support (not just software)
- Don’t rush growth—protect your vision
Want help defining your team roles before hiring? Grab our Job Descriptions for Travel Business Roles freebie to get crystal clear on who you need next.
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