Spring break is an annual rite for many looking to escape the cold The possibility of scams starts when you start planning your trip, and the BBB wants to remind you to proceed with caution.

The BBB offers the following tips when planning a vacation.

1. 1.   Book through a reliable travel agent.Check the agency's report at BBB.ORG. or find a BBB Accredited Business. Accredited Businesses must adhere to the BBB's 8 standards of trust, including advertise honestly, be transparent, and honor promises.
2. 2.   Get details about your trip in writing.Be sure to confirm the details, such as total cost, any restrictions that apply, flights, hotel reservations, and car rental.
3. 3.   Use a credit card as payment.Paying by credit card offers the most protection should something to wrong.
4. 4.   Consider purchasing travel insurance.Travel insurance provides coverage for particular perils which are specificconditions under which it will pay claims. Be sure to shop around and read theterms and conditions before purchasing.
5. 5.   Usecaution when considering deals.If a deal or package offers a lot for a very low price, be wary. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
6. 6.   Bewary of claims you "won" a trip.Generally if you've truly won something, it will be given to you as a gift. Be especially leary if the offer is unsolicited. Check on any offers with the Better Business Bureau.

Find mentors to emulate. Who do you aspire to be like? Potential mentors could be people you work with, or even in a completely different industry whose road to success is worthy of imitation. Identify your mentors' work ethic, habits, education, or whatever it is that deems them worthy of your aspirations. If possible, talk with them about how you can achieve your goals by following in their footsteps. Use the resources available to you in order to achieve your goals.

Make adjustments to your business and its direction as quickly as possible based on facts and results. When things aren't going well or as you had planned, take a step back and analyze why this may be happening. As soon as you realize that you need to make a change, consult with mentors and use the information you have to adjust. Test out a new approach, review the results, and adjust if necessary. There is no sense in repeating an action that fails to deliver your desired outcome.

Build a strong foundation for your business by avoiding shortcuts. Your business must be built on ethical business practices, knowledge of your product and company, a desire to improve via professional development, and a commitment to representing your company and serving customers to the best of your ability. If you take shortcuts in any way, your business will suffer. One area where many business owners take "short cuts" when they are busy is skipping professional development, but that could shortchange your success. Make it a priority to attend, listen to what is being taught, incorporate relevant matters into your business, and always strive for improvement. You cannot expect success without hard work. The positive side is that by putting in the work and avoiding such shortcuts, you are more likely to rise above the fray and meet your goals more quickly.

For more business tips you can trust, visit bbb.org and for the latest on direct selling, visit dsef.org.