In this episode, I interview Vicky Stothard of Luxury Staycations in London, UK. Luxury Staycations help their clients save time and money over a vacation by providing the best accommodation, at the best price. What’s more exciting is they also offer Dog-Friendly staycations.

Vicky was a victim of embezzlement. In her previous business, she appointed a general manager whom she trusted to manage the business on her behalf because at that time she was diagnosed with cancer, so she needed a rest and she must focus on her treatment. Unfortunately, she lost the business by trusting somebody. However, together with her husband, they started a staycations business and they were very lucky to make it grow.

For Vicky, the number one habit a small business owner needs to develop and maintain is being organized. Social media, as well as downloaded apps, really help Vicky to quickly organized tasks and also a great marketing strategy.  

 This Cast Covers:

• Started planning the business of wanting to try and bridge the gap between hotel and self-catering.
• How luxury combined with self-catering makes a difference.
• A creative and organized woman who let go of all her feminity just to be a successful woman in the country.
• The importance of real skill to do the job such as talking to people about a lot of stuff.
• Lost the previous business she runs for 12 years due to health problems, and because of a thief general manager whom she trusted to run the business on her behalf.
• Running at a 95% capacity by working really hard in marketing strategy.
• Enhancing marketing by introducing a Dog-Friendly environment, providing them with a luxury home.
• Exploring marketing strategies while the business is ongoing during the pandemic.
• Providing free accommodation and food for 3 months to those fleeing domestic abuse.
• How social media become the source of most of their bookings.

 Additional Resources:

• Luxury Staycations
• First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham

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 Quotes:

“You have to be talented and you also have to be willing to talk to people all day, every day about a lot of stuff.” – Vicky Stothard

“Success to me is feeling about content, being proud of our business, brand and of what we do.” – Vicky Stothard

“We have to deliver a product we promise. It’s essential.” – Vicky Stothard

“I’m a great believer in communication and leading by example.” – Vicky Stothard

“Just because you’re a business owner, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re great at what you do.” – Vicky Stothard

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Music from https://filmmusic.io “Cold Funk” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com). License: CC by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0