EverTrek won the Tourism and Leisure Start-Up of the Year Award, kindly sponsored by Bluegg. We caught up with them after their win to find out a bit more:
1.) How did it feel to win a Wales Start-Up-Award?
It was an awesome feeling! I was personally over in Nepal taking a team to Everest base camp, but my partner Jen Hall collected the award on the night. I am super happy and privileged to win this prestigious award and managed to sneak in a celebratory beer over in Kathmandu when I found out.
2.) How did you find the experience of the Awards night?
I wasn't at the event personally, but my partner Jen said it was amazing, especially the food. She also caught up with the other nominees and in fairness, any of the nominees could have won. She had great things to say about the event and celebrated with a few of the other winners too.
3.) How do you strive to make a difference in the Welsh business market?
One customer at a time! A huge part of our business is to help individuals get out of their comfort zone and try something different like heading on a trek to Everest base camp or climb a 6000m Himalayan peak. Every person we help to has a knock-on effect as their kids, friends and family who see their father/mother/brother/daughter/friend achieve something special inspires them to want to do something special too.
As we help one customer at a time, we know the effect is exponential. I've seen and experienced this personally seeing friends and family of mine want to head to Everest having seen that I could do this myself many years ago. As we are one of the market leaders in Wales in terms of adventure travel, every customer we help has a positive effect on the Welsh market too.
4.) What are your goals for the next 12 months?
We have plans to operate in 7 other countries, not just in Nepal and Tibet so this is a big part of our plans for 2019 & 2020.
5.) What is the biggest lesson you have learned in the first year of your start-up business?
Maximise your time. Most business owners that I know and are friends with, spend time on things that don't make the business grow and get caught up in working IN the business and not ON the business. One big thing I've learned is to have at least 90 minutes a day put aside on growing your business so working ON your business.
This could be a Facebook marketing campaign, a well thought out direct marketing leaflet, a blog post solving a customer’s question, anything that brings in more customers. In doing this, I've learned that you can grow your business just by allocating time to do so.
6.) What one piece of advice would you give to any aspiring entrepreneurs?
If you have a passion and want it enough, anyone can start a business and become an entrepreneur. Most people think it's too difficult to start a business or it's unobtainable, but it really isn't. It is hard work and it isn't always a bed of roses but if you really want to make a difference in your world then go for it. Life is super short so just crack on with it and give it a go.
