SASHA BALDWIN KUDO LIFESTYLE, INTELETRAVEL
Q What’s your background? A I’ve always had a fascination with travel, which began in my
backpacking days around 1999. I landed in Sydney and I was supposed to be away for nine months, but decided to add on Bali, the Gili Islands, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and India – and came home 18 months later. I joined in lockdown. My concierge business, Kudo Lifestyle, already had an element of booking travel, so it felt like a natural progression. I wanted to show people that booking through an agent was not an added expense.
I resisted homeworking until Covid – now I wouldn’t change it
DIANNE COX SILVER TRAVEL ADVISOR
Q What did you do before becoming a homeworker? A I’ve been in travel since I went to work for my local Co-op Travel
at 18. I had a rocky start; I was made redundant during the break-up of Yugoslavia and was in and out of work for two years until getting a job with Lunn Poly. Over the past 35 years, I’ve worked in multiples, business travel and for a US and Canada specialist.
Q Why did you switch from high street to homeworking? A I worked for a multiple on a zero hours contract. After
Covid, I wasn’t needed in the shops, as they were keeping costs low to recover losses. Technology changes meant I could work from anywhere, so it was easy to work abroad – we spent a lot of time in our Spanish apartment.
Q How have you built your client base? A I joined Silver Travel Advisor in January 2023. As I’d only
been working in branches when needed, I didn’t have a portfolio of customers. I needed a company that provided leads and was flexible with hours. I’ve slowly built a client base. Initially it was hard, as I don’t have social media accounts. The excitement of being in a new team was motivational. I attend local events and leave brochures and business cards.
Q How do you juggle a second job? A In 2019, I retrained as a mortgage and protection advisor, working
hours of my choice from home. It requires planning but a balance is achievable. I divide the week into a few days for each job. I resisted homeworking until Covid forced my hand – now I wouldn’t change it.
QHow have you grown your customer base? A Trust and loyalty starts in your local community with friends and
family. As soon as I do a great job for someone, I start talking about ideas for the next holiday – and ask them to recommend me. Word of mouth is beyond powerful in this industry. I like to think Kudo grows with my clients at whatever stage they might be in their lives.
Q What hours do you work? A I probably spend at least five hours a day researching and checking
availability. Usually, I will follow up with a call and email to make sure I have the correct information, and that everything is in writing so there are no mishaps down the line. I often work late to get the job done. But as long as you give clients realistic timelines, you can take the pressure off.
Q What’s the secret to being one of InteleTravel’s top sellers? A I love what I do. I always go the extra mile for my clients and I’m not
afraid to tell them what I can do. I tend to start planning their second holiday before they’ve even finished their first one. Q
I start planning clients’ second holiday before they finish their first one
travelweekly.co.uk
JULY 2024
21
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