itravel with Jade - Company of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure

Company: itravel with Jade
Company Description: itravel with Jade is a multi award-winning mobile travel agent who provides a 1:1 personalised and friendly service, in the comfort of your own home, at a time convenient to you. itravel with Jade operates with the utmost integrity, to ensure your next holiday is affordable, seamless, and stress-free.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure - Small

Nomination Title: itravel with Jade

itravel with Jade is a multi award-winning mobile travel agent who provides a 1:1 personalised and friendly service, in the comfort of your own home, at a time convenient to you.

I launched my own mobile travel agent business "itravel with Jade" in late 2018, and by staying focused, with my goals insight, and connecting with people that inspire me to keep going whilst remaining in a role and industry I love, I was able to rapidly grow itravel with Jade into a multi-award winning business, with the perfect work/life balance. With travel as it currently stands, this definitely has it’s hurdles, however we are proving that travel agents are here for a purpose. To make it easier for you - with refunds, returns, and the inside knowledge of what is up and coming and what to "expect".

It should always be about helping others, not just turning a profit. While you obviously need to make a profit, your primary focus should be creating a business based on helping your customers solve a problem or make their lives better, making you indispensable.

Reliable, knowledgeable, find out what they need and want and tailor a package to suit all needs

As a single mum with two kids under 7, whilst running a two businesses in its first two years, being recognised on a local, national and international level over the past 12 months has been nothing short of amazing!

LOCAL AWARDS:

-2021 FINALIST “” in the Wollondilly Local Business Awards for “Tourism & Accommodation”
-2020 Receiver of Camden Council appreciation awards of #camdenlove bears “Inspiration” “Generosity” “Bravery”
-2020 FINALIST “Outstanding New Business” in the Camden Local Business Awards
-2019 FINALIST “Outstanding Travel & Tourism” in the Camden Local Business Awards

NATIONAL AWARDS:

-2020 WINNER “Brave Rising Star” award in Women With Altitude awards
-2020 WINNER (Spot Prize) award “Best Social Media Star” in Roar Awards
-2020 FINALIST Australian “Inspiring Mum of the Year” Awards
-2019 WINNER “Best Local Marketing Initiative” in the itravel Awards
-2019 GOLD WINNER “Stand Out Newbie“ in the Roar Awards
-2019 FINALIST “Small Business Champion” in the YMag Awards
-2019 FINALIST “NSW Business Excellence” in the Ausmumpreneur Awards

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS:

- 2020 FINALIST “Rising Star” in the Global MIBA Awards

I feel proud, happy, overwhelmed, and delighted – all rolled into one! These awards programs not only give me validation, help me to dissect and understand my business strengths and weaknesses better, but also acknowledge that I am on the right path in both my personal and professional life.

Once you realise that it's not about you, or how much money is flowing into your bank (trust me - I know the lack of it with Covid taking an entire year worth of sales and counting!), you'll start delivering a superior product or service, which will attract more customers, which in turn generates sales and profit, through continued service and accountability. It is their hard earned cash that they are entrusting with me, so it needs to be suited accordingly, and used wisely in these times we are facing.

I'm always there for my clients. They can message me when it suits them. Morning, noon or night. Because I book it myself, I know the holiday like the back of my hand, totally suited to you and your needs. Now with Covid, People are scared to book - but planning with itravel with Jade, you know I will be here when those borders open! Suitcase in HAND!

Financial growth for travel has slowed however it can only be up from here. From maintaining 8-10K per month is travel sales to having to PAY for insurances/fees/systems and business, it’s a slow build.

Camden Council assisted with $1200 towards tax accountant fees, some running costs towards the business back at the start of 2020, which was such a help at that time, which allowed me to stay open enough to be able to process all those refunds.

The supporting document attached covers more background on this travel industry business and why it was established focusing on the importance of remaining in the forefront of travellers minds (when this whole thing is over!)

itravel with Jade’s supporting document also provides further insight into my target audience and the impact of still being able to travel in some capacity has had over the past 12 months, as travel was the very first thing to go into lockdown, and with current travelling clients, it was a fight to get them home. And fast.

There is information on how itravel with Jade pivoted during COVID.

Like many businesses across Australia, the ripple effects the current COVID-19 pandemic has caused around the world over the past 6+ months has been my greatest (and very unexpected) challenge.

Biosecurity measures and travel restrictions are in place to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, meaning the Travel & Tourism industry which was unfortunately the first to be shut down, will therefore be the last industry to start up again, which has clearly impacted my itravel with Jade mobile travel consultant business.

Further pages showcase customer testimonials, media received, community support, and further details of local, national and global awards itravel with Jade has received for its generosity / business excellence / customer service / support of the community / inspiration and bravery to stay open in these times.