ALL ABOUT YOU — READERS’ LIVES
THIS WEEK
Hazel Bryant owner
Travel With Kitts, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire Buying the agency in which you work is stressful
A year ago, Hazel Bryant was having trouble sleeping. Overseeing a management buyout of Kitts Travel in Potters Bar – now rebranded as
Travel With Kitts – and preparing to wed her partner of three years Daniel at the same time, was proving a major challenge. Understandably, it was a stressful but exciting time. By day, Hazel was focused on the changes needed to set up her business, from obtaining an Abta licence to moving clients across to the new company. Away from work, there were invitations, table decorations and wedding dresses to try on for her September nuptials. “This time last year, so much was going on, but so much came out of it,” she
says. “We were due to complete the mangement buyout early last summer, but it got delayed until August 7 – and we were getting married on September 7.” Hazel was determined not to give up on her dream to own her own agency and set a deadline of August 7 because seven is her lucky number. She adds: “I enjoyed my time at Kitts Travel, but I had always wanted my own agency. I could easily have given up in July. I felt as if I was banging my head against a wall trying to get the figures right. “Ideally, we would have moved the dates for the management buyout or the wedding – but I wasn’t going to do that to my husband and I just thought: ‘Let’s do it.’” A year on, Hazel can look back on her decision to buy the travel agency branch, as
well as its database and goodwill, and set up Travel With Kitts, as worthwhile. She has retained the four staff – a “fantastic team” – introduced larger signage and held four customer events, including a fair in conjunction with eight suppliers. “When we put the new sign up, lots of people said they hadn’t realised there was
a travel agency here,” she says. “We have had four events and are doing even better than the previous year. By the end of June, we had reached the target I set for the year. It has been fantastic.” And much to Hazel’s relief, the
Hazel’s CV
2013 to date: owner, Travel With Kitts, Potters Bar
2009-2013: director, Kitts Travel, Potters Bar
1999-2009: assistant manager then manager, Kitts Travel, Potters Bar
1997-1999: travel consultant, Going Places, Potters Bar, Herts.
wedding and honeymoon in the Seychelles went off without a hitch. “I was so excited to go back to the office in a new role,” she recalls. “And I am lucky to have an understanding and supportive husband.” So, what's next? Hazel is already planning an interior refit of the shop and more customer events to expand her client base further. “I am very positive about the future,” she adds.
Would you like to be profiled on Readers’ Lives? Tell us why it should be you! Email:
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
24 July 2014 —
HAZEL’S TIPS FOR SETTING UP A TRAVEL AGENCY
Don’t be too scared to ask for help: Once you start talking to people, you will find someone who can help you.
Manage your stress levels: Exercise is good – white wine is not the way forward.
Be realistic: Make sure you can afford to cut back on your own living costs for the first six months of your new business.
Don’t plan two things at once: Don’t get married at the same time!
READERS’ LIVES
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72