p14-15 news feb13 11/2/09 19:43 Page 14
news the big idea 2008 winners
ttglive.com
Big Idea, big launch day!
TheTTG Big Idea 2008 winners
were preparing for the big
launch of their firm this week,
after securing £100,000 of
investment. By Rupert Murray
HELEN DOYLE and Danny Waine timed the
official launch of Perfect Weddings Abroad to
coincide with the year’s most romantic day.
Tomorrow, Valentine’s Day, is the culmination
of four months of hard work for the pair who
scooped the £100,000 investment and
expertise of four investors.
The company will initially be selling direct
to the public and through the Hays Travel
Independence Group, with Abta and Atol
bonding provided by Hays Travel.
EXPANSION PLANS.
But The Big Idea cash injection means the
company is already expanding, with three new
full-time positions created in its head office in
Chasetown, Staffordshire, and further staff
lined up to join later in the year.
Its homeworking network is also growing
and should exceed 10 by the end of this year.
Marketing director Danny Waine said: “It is
imperative nowadays that you have multi-
channel distribution; there’s certainly no one-
size-fits-all, particularly in the weddings market.
“So our direct business will be handled by
our wedding specialists located across the
country and our trade business through our Rose to the challenge: Helen Doyle (second from right) and Danny
Midlands head office. Waine celebrate Perfect Weddings Abroad’s launch with colleagues
“It also means that we can offer travel
agents more support, and they can benefit trade would be expanded in the future.
PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE.
from our knowledge and experience. “Coming from a travel agency background we A new website,
perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk,
“One of the main concerns we have with share the frustrations that agents come across has just gone live and has an emphasis on the
couples who are looking to book a wedding when dealing with tour operators,” she said. wedding arrangements, as opposed to the
abroad is the worry of booking with an “That’s why we’re keen to work with a small usual holiday images. Waine said: “It makes
internet-only company or through a call centre, number of agencies and grow our business our whole operation look much more
with no face-to-face presence. with them. professional and upmarket than before.
“So our homeworkers are equipped with “We’ve received great support from Hays “Couples and agents can read our testimoni-
mobile internet and can arrange home visits since winning The Big Idea and it makes sense als and see photographs from past customers.
where couples require it.” to start selling within the Independence Group “They can become a fan of the company on
The firm said it had already seen great and Hays Retail shops before moving outside. Facebook and talk to brides about the past
interest from the travel trade, with calls from “We want to make sure we have the right service they’ve received.
agents looking to book full holiday and wedding staff in place to handle agents’ queries “We’re looking to add extra features,
packages, as well as just weddings only. efficiently and then we’ll look to grow further. including expanding our wedding-related
Managing director Helen Doyle said the “We’re not looking at volume; it’s all about products range and incorporating a wedding
capability of the business to work with the offering a quality service.” forum for brides and grooms to share ideas.”
14 13.02.2009
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