BWJ Travel didn’t start with a brand campaign or a pitch deck. It began with a father, two kids, and a rented office space in California in the early 1990s. Vic Sarkisyan was a new immigrant who worked multiple jobs—valeting cars, waiting tables—just to pay $100 a month for rent. Despite the struggle, he opened SVH Tours & Travel Services, a small travel agency that quickly earned a reputation for personal service.
His sons, Edwin and Jacob, grew up helping out—throwing away old brochures, doing homework in the backroom, and watching their dad show videos of Cancun vacations filmed on his Hi8 camcorder. Saturdays ended with a Jack’s Spicy Chicken combo from Jack in the Box, their $5 reward for a day’s work.
That time in the office planted the foundation for something bigger, teaching them about much more than travel logistics. It also showed them how consistency, purpose, and family could create a meaningful business.
Learning the Travel Industry From the Inside Out
As teenagers, the brothers each began carving out their own roles in the company. Edwin focused on processes. In high school, he noticed the agency was still using Excel to manage client records. He replaced it with Salesforce, streamlining how data was tracked and used.
He also created a client reward program—one of the first of its kind in the travel space—to return value to customers who had stayed loyal for more than 15 years. This move honored the people who kept the business alive.
He continued to build on that foundation throughout his educational journey, starting at California State University, Northridge, where he studied marketing. After graduating, he moved on to Pepperdine University, where he earned a master’s degree in business management. Edwin’s role evolved from branding and customer experience to overseeing strategy and operations.
Jacob, on the other hand, took a different route. School never quite fit him, so he chose to learn through hands-on experience instead. When he joined SVH as a consultant, it quickly became clear that client interaction was where he thrived. He enjoyed creating travel experiences that left people feeling cared for. His natural ability to connect with others helped drive the company to new records in both customer satisfaction and sales performance. For him, though, fulfillment came not from numbers, but from the impact those trips had on people’s lives.
A Crisis Becomes a Turning Point During COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, SVH Travel was forced into survival mode. For a year and a half, bookings stopped, revenue disappeared, and the business took on millions in debt just to stay open. The travel industry was collapsing around them, yet even as others shut down, the Sarkisyan family kept going—holding onto the relationships and reputation they had spent decades building.
After weathering the storm, Edwin and Jacob looked ahead, seeing an opportunity not only to rebuild, but to share what they had built. Their answer was BWJ Travel—a host agency that would allow others to access the tools, systems, and strategies that helped SVH thrive. Rather than rebuild for themselves, they chose to widen the net.
Their mission was to help more people find purpose through travel, and because of them, more families can create lasting memories together today.
A Hiring Strategy That’s All About Proving Yourself
One of the boldest changes BWJ introduced was how people joined the team. Instead of interviews, resumes, and screening rounds, they let people prove themselves through real service. Jacob has proposed the idea, and although it seemed risky, the results spoke for themselves.
New consultants were given a chance to work with real clients, and if they could follow instructions, communicate professionally, and deliver excellent service, they earned their place in the company. Many of their top-performing consultants started with no experience in the travel world.
Following this approach also removed the bias often hidden in traditional hiring methods. Applicants don’t get filtered out based on education, background, or personality. Those interested are invited to meet with either Jacob or another leadership team member named Mark. If the connection feels right and it’s clear the candidate is passionate, they’re given an opportunity to step in and grow. It’s a system built on effort, not credentials.
Still, success at BWJ isn’t measured by sales alone. The company places equal weight on attitude and respect. No one is allowed to treat others poorly, even if they generate high revenue. A supportive culture is one of the company’s non-negotiables, and consultants are reviewed on how they contribute to the team, not just what they bring in.
How the BWJ Model Really Works
BWJ Travel stands apart from other host agencies and avoids any connection to multi-level marketing (MLM). Consultants are not allowed to bring on new agents, and there are no referral bonuses, recruiting incentives, or team-based commissions. The agency is private and invitation-only, with every new consultant personally onboarded.
Once onboarded, consultants receive an 80/20 commission split: they keep 80% of what they earn, and BWJ keeps the other 20%. That 20% funds support services, operational tools, and continued education for agents across the network. There are no hidden tiers, unclear thresholds, or vague targets. Everything is direct and transparent.
Consultants also have access to the BWJ Exchange, a private digital community where agents can collaborate, ask questions, and offer feedback. The company also runs a comprehensive Travel Agent Academy, where new team members learn systems, supplier relationships, and client communication skills.
Weekly calls hosted by the founders keep everyone informed and connected. When emergencies happen—like a traveler stranded at the airport—agents can call a 24/7 support line to get immediate assistance.
Meeting Demand Without Lowering Quality Standards
BWJ Travel faces a challenge that most companies would gladly welcome. At any given moment, hundreds of clients are waiting to be paired with an agent. The demand for their service exceeds current capacity, and the need for more consultants is real.
However, the company isn’t rushing to scale, and the brothers remain careful about who they bring on board. They want people who genuinely care about the work, not those chasing fast money.
Their ultimate goal is to pursue steady growth with the right people—those who believe in the mission, respect the culture, and are dedicated to creating great experiences for clients. BWJ Travel’s structure is designed for long-term careers, not quick sales. Agents aren’t only given clients, but the tools and resources they need to thrive, along with ongoing training, mentorship, and support.
The Values That Drive Everything
BWJ is guided by three core principles: trust, perseverance, and respect. These values are embedded in every system and every decision. Trust shows up in how the company communicates with its consultants. Financial splits are clear, expectations are realistic, and updates are consistent. Consultants know what to expect and where their support comes from.
Perseverance is part of the company’s DNA. It started with Vic balancing side jobs and a small travel shop, and it carried through to Jacob and Edwin taking on debt to keep SVH afloat during the pandemic. The family has never had an easy path, but they’ve always stayed committed and found ways to survive.
Respect is enforced at every level, as consultants are expected to treat each other well, work collaboratively, and contribute to a positive environment. Toxic behavior isn’t tolerated, no matter how successful someone may be.
That commitment to fairness also influences how BWJ Travel approaches diversity. By removing rigid interview processes and letting real performance guide decisions, the company has created space for people from all kinds of backgrounds to succeed.
What Success Means at BWJ Travel
For Edwin and Jacob, success doesn’t center around income or expansion. It’s measured by how well the company is living its mission of helping families and friends connect through meaningful travel.
The founders have taken everything they learned from their father’s early struggles, their own experiences in the industry, and the challenges they faced through a global crisis—and built a platform that puts people first.
While BWJ Travel is still expanding, it’s doing so with care, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose. For the clients and consultants who work with them, that mission makes all the difference.
