The way Jacob and Edwin Sarkisyan see it, BWJ Travel is more than a company. It is a living legacy, one inspired by their father, who built his life around helping others experience the joy of travel. Today, the brothers are carrying that vision forward, guiding a new generation of agents who are turning their passion into purpose.
To understand where they are today — and why they are so devoted to helping other agents succeed — you have to go back to where it all began. Their father, Vic Sarkisyan, a first-generation immigrant, opened SVH Tours & Travel in Los Angeles more than three decades ago with a simple yet profound goal: to bring families together through shared experiences. From the time they were children, Jacob and Edwin were immersed in that mission. They spent afternoons sorting brochures and evenings watching their father bring people’s vacation dreams to life.
“Those early days taught us everything,” Jacob explained. “We learned that travel is personal. It is not about selling trips. It is about understanding people, their stories, and what moments matter most to them.”
Over time, the brothers built on that foundation to create a host travel agency that empowers independent consultants across the country to deliver those same life-changing experiences.
Located in California, BWJ Travel provides its agents with hands-on support, powerful technology, and something that many professionals say is missing in the industry – genuine partnership. Every consultant who joins is treated like family, gaining access to live training sessions, an extensive Agent Portal, and real client opportunities to grow their business.
“Anyone can sign a contract and call themselves a host agency,” said Edwin. “What separates us is that we actually invest in people. We take the time to train, mentor, and give them the tools they need to win.”
The results speak for themselves. Agents who once entered the field with no experience are now earning thousands each month while booking dream vacations for clients around the world. Their success stories, backed by measurable outcomes, have become living proof that the model works.
BWJ Travel Is Top In Class For Agents
Behind the growing network at BWJ Travel is an infrastructure built for reliability and ease. The company’s custom Agent Portal gives consultants a centralized platform for managing bookings, tracking commissions, and staying connected with suppliers. It also includes a customer relationship management system and integrated tools like Sherpa for visa research and secure credit card authorization forms.
In the agency’s early days, the technology faced its first major test when the portal crashed for twelve hours. For most companies, that kind of outage could have sparked frustration. For the Sarkisyan brothers, it was a turning point.
“That moment showed us how critical technology is to trust,” Jacob recalled. “We immediately hired the best developers we could find and rebuilt our system from the ground up. We wanted something stable and scalable for our agents.”
The investment paid off. Today, the portal stands as the backbone of BWJ’s operations, offering the stability agents rely on to manage growing client lists and complex itineraries. It has also become a place of learning. Weekly training calls walk agents through real-world booking scenarios, supplier webinars provide direct access to brand experts, and live podcasts hosted by Jacob and Edwin keep agents informed about travel trends and marketing strategies.
Equally important is the company’s collaboration with leading industry suppliers. Partnerships with names such as Royal Caribbean, Apple Vacations, and Expedia TAAP have created opportunities for agents to earn top-tier commissions and gain exclusive perks for their clients.
“BWJ Travel treats their partnerships like relationships,” said Expedia account manager Gabriela Robles, who frequently joins the company’s training sessions. “They don’t just connect agents with suppliers. They connect people with people.”
The agency’s long-standing relationship with Expedia TAAP has even earned it Platinum status, granting BWJ consultants access to higher commission levels and dedicated support lines. The result is a system where agents feel empowered and clients receive world-class service.
BWJ Travel Agents Are Turning Dreams Into Careers
For many who join the host agency, the opportunity represents a new chapter in their professional lives. Some arrive with years of travel experience, while others are stepping into the industry for the first time. What they all share is a desire for freedom, flexibility, and purpose.
Few stories capture that transformation better than that of Curt Chandler. When he started in 2023, Chandler had no background in travel. Within months, his determination and natural curiosity began to pay off. He booked his first series of trips, earned multiple commissions, and quickly became one of the agency’s top performers.
“I was completely new,” Chandler said. “But the training was clear, and the support was constant. It never felt like I was doing this alone.”
Chandler has since gone from agent to booking advisor, helping other newcomers navigate the same path he once walked. His success mirrors a larger trend within the BWJ community, where mentorship is built into the culture.
Agent Steven Thomas shared a similar story. “I began with no knowledge of travel booking,” he said. “They provided training and support, and now I earn over $5,000 per month while working from home.”
Others speak about the tangible impact they are making on clients. “I booked my first international trip thanks to the team,” said Rebecca Walter, who helped plan a dream vacation to Italy for a family exploring Rome and the Amalfi Coast. “It was incredible to watch it all come together.”
Agent Nick Potter summed up his journey with simple honesty. “I was nervous, but the training walked me through it all,” he said. “I got my first client a Carnival cruise with excursions and upgrades. When that first commission check came in, I was hooked.”
These personal wins highlight how BWJ’s model transforms passion into profession. By combining mentorship with measurable structure, the agency helps ordinary people step into a field that often feels out of reach.
Clients Who Become Believers
Behind every successful agent stands a loyal client. And at BWJ, client satisfaction is the true measure of success. The company’s travelers span generations, from honeymooners in Costa Rica to multigenerational families heading to Jamaica.
Sean, who booked his honeymoon through one of the agency’s advisors, described the experience as seamless. “Our airline canceled our flight to Hawaii at the last minute,” he said. “I called Amanda in a panic, and within thirty minutes she rebooked everything. She even got us a free resort upgrade as an apology from the airline.”
Norman Watson, who planned a 14-person family trip to Jamaica, said the same thing. “Edwin’s team handled everything – flights, resorts, group discounts, and transfers,” he said. “It was flawless. I didn’t have to lift a finger.”
For others, the agency’s reach has gone global. From Tokyo to the Greek islands, clients describe experiences that far exceed what they could have arranged on their own. “I was about to book my Greece trip online until my agent found a package that wasn’t even public yet,” said Ruth Williamson. “It saved me $700 and came with a free cooking class.”
‘Travel Connects People In Ways Nothing Else Can’
In an industry that thrives on relationships, BWJ’s philosophy is simple: invest in people first. The agency’s 80/20 commission split favors agents, not the company. Its systems are transparent, its training is personal, and its leadership remains directly involved in the day-to-day development of the team.
As Edwin explained, “We built this so people could grow. Not just financially, but professionally and personally.”
That vision continues to attract aspiring travel entrepreneurs across the country, many of whom were seeking a legitimate, sustainable way to work in the field. The company’s open-door approach, offering real clients and continuous education, eliminates the barriers that often discourage newcomers.
The brothers know that success is not measured by numbers alone. It is measured by impact – the travelers who come home changed, the agents who find confidence in their craft, and the community that continues to expand because of both.
“Our father taught us that travel connects people in ways nothing else can,” Jacob said. “Now we get to watch that connection multiply through every agent and every trip they plan.”
For the growing network of professionals discovering what it means to build a career in travel, that mission is more than inspiring. It is proof that with the right guidance, tools, and heart, anyone can turn their passion for exploration into a lifelong calling.
