Penny Spencer told delegates at the Travel DAZE conference yesterday her story to get from consultant to magnate.
“I’ve been in the business for 30 years,” the founder of Spencer Travel Group said, admitting that scared her a little bit.
“But I always knew I wanted to own my own business.”
So what better way to learn than to get clued in on Spencer’s top tips to becoming a successful magnate.
- Smile
- Work hard
- Be brave – “Remember it’s ok to ask for help,” Spencer said.
- Take the leap – “People asked me how I knew it was the right time for me to start my own business, but the right time is what feels right for you.”
- Surround yourself with experts
- Along the road there’s always going to be challenges – from the GFC to the September 11 attacks, Spencer said she’s experienced threats to her business and has had to adapt, but “when you overcome them, that’s what makes life more meaningful”.
- Risks VS rewards – “I had to change my business model a few times,” Spencer explained, adding that one big risk was signing on to become an accredited space agency for Virgin Galactic. “When you do take a risk you learn again how to move forward with whatever it is,” Spencer added.
- Have fun along the way
- Be innovative and think outside the square
- Invest in your people – “people are your asset not your liability,” Spencer stressed.
- Reward & recognise – “We have champagne and cake and we celebrate everything,” Spencer exclaimed, adding that her Diamond Club also rewards staff who have been there for decades with one carat diamonds.
- Make a difference
- Think big and think of others
“And my favourite saying from Nike, just do it,” Spencer concluded.
