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Tiffany Woodley director
Myriad Travel, Liverpool Agent’s daughters show selling travel runs in family
Tiffany Woodley is enjoying turning her travel agency into a family affair. She has already roped in her two daughters and now her brother is set to join the company as it looks to expand into the corporate travel market. Tiffany, previously a sales manager for Six Senses Resorts & Spa, has not looked back since setting up her business from scratch in 2007. “I had just turned 40 and I didn’t want to work for anyone or want any office politics. I thought ‘I could do this – I could be a travel agent’. It was the best decision I ever made,” says Tiffany, who is supported by one full-time and two part-time colleagues. Initially operating out of an office in her converted garage, the agency, a Global
Travel Group member, moved into shop premises in 2009. Her 18-year-old daughter Jessica is already helping in the agency when she
can, fufilling tasks from preparing tickets for customers to ordering stationery and, importantly, managing the shop’s Instagram account. Meanwhile, 10-year-old Charlotte – the so-called family “mouthpiece” – regularly brings in new business by promoting the agency through word of mouth at school. “She’ll even tell customers in the shop about destinations and suggest where to go,” laughs Tiffany, who says Charlotte also regularly spends time helping out. Having the extra input from her family not only helps Myriad Travel expand into new
areas and teaches her daughters some vital business skills but also gives the business the "family feel" that clients – of which 75% are repeat customers – love. The latest addition will be her brother, who joins in November to set up a business
travel arm. “It’s good to diversify and my brother will bring a new angle to the business. He is well-travelled and has a commercial airline background,” adds Tiffany. Up to now the agency has concentrated on the leisure market, offering everything
from coach day trips to long-haul tailor-made breaks and a service that goes back to basics. “We sit down with our clients and get to know them and what they want,” says Tiffany. “We don’t tend to book
Tiffany’s CV ●2007 to date: Myriad Travel
●1997-2007: sales manager, Six Senses Resorts & Spa
●1990-97: office manager, Viyella/ Jaeger Ladies Retail
●1986-90: rooms division manager, Bass Hotels, London
holidays straight away. We email or print proper quotes and hand-deliver them to their front doors,” she says.
Keeping it in the family: Tiffany and her daughters, Jessica (back) and Charlotte
✪ Choose your suppliers carefully: Sell only those that support your business; switch-sell rather than lose that sale.
✪ Go the extra mile: Hand-deliver tickets, check clients in online, arrange visas, book spa treatments and dinner reservations, and give each client a destination guide with recommendations
✪ Diversify: Look at other markets to fill the gaps, we also promote cycling holidays and are venturing into the corporate business market.
✪ Support your local airport:
Work with your local airport. We are lucky to have Liverpool airport on
our doorstep and they are a massive supporter of us and us of them. We offer repeat clients complimentary airport lounge passes.
Would you like to be profiled on Readers’ Lives? Tell us why it should be you! Email:
juliet.dennis@
travelweekly.co.uk
28 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 28 August 2014
TIFFANY’S TIPS FOR WINNING BOOKINGS
✪ Retain clients: Always ensure you send clients a welcome-home letter with an incentive to book their next holiday.
READERS’ LIVES
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