Mondo on the Coast is born

Firstly - I have to say to Fiona - I'm Baaaaccckkk ... yep hun i know it's been yonks! and yep i did originally join under the Partyfind banner - but have sold that business and gone back to my first love - Travel.

I've been in the travel industry for years - 16 years i think now..8 years spent in Christchurch, and i just have to take a breather here and acknowledge the devastation that has occurred in my adopted hometown these past 5-6 months.  I'm thankful that all my friends are safe, some without homes, power or water - but they are alive.  I've been in Auckland removed from it all - but my good friend Rachel keeps me up to date on how our friends are doing.  Christchurch - we love you, we support you and you will rise again.  Kia Kaha.xoxo

We spent 5 weeks in Europe last year and i came back somewhat restless, wanting a new challenge - but really didn't want to have to go and work for someone else.  I'm over that - i really liked the freedom of owning my own business (even though it was small and mostly online).  I KNEW that i needed to become a business owner...hmm what to do...own a restaurant? Retail Shop? Hairdressing salon (yep i'm an ex hairdresser from the 80's..my apologies to the ozone layer for all those cans of hairspray!) and so on..it never really occured to me to open my own Travel Agency.  In fact it wasn't till my dear big brother Stephen whilst living in Switzerland suggested we partner in creating our own Travel Agency.  What a lightbulb moment!  I came back to NZ after the holiday - determined to see this new venture come to fruition...

Around Christimas 2010 I made contact with Mondo Travel and i haven't looked back...I truly haven't!! In fact 6 weeks in and i can't believe we have achieved so much in a short space of time.  We've changed reservation systems *note to self, don't EVER do that again in a hurry*,  changed our opening hours,  booked a Group to Tahiti, Noumea and Aussie and oh pitch to a very valuable client!  Not to mention the little bits and pieces or organising our Mini website, professional photo's, creating a page with Facebook (Mondo - on the Coast) .  In fact i'm surprised i've remembered to breathe.  I bet those seasoned business owners reading this are nodding their head or perhaps laughing at remembering their own foray into the world of being an Owner. 

My biggest challenge to date as been somewhat surprising..it's not knowing ALL the things i needed to know about running a business, like employee contracts, payroll and PAYE and Kiwisaver.  Huge learning curves and can't wait till i understand all the red tape and i can confidently dot the i's and cross the t's.  I'm really not stupid - but boy do i feel overwhelmed at the huge responsiblity comes with running your own business where you have staff that rely on you to GET IT RIGHT. 

I've recently bought the MYOB account right plus package - and just fumbling my way through that... i really must go on their training sessions to learn how to truly work this system.. My head is exploding with so many marketing ideas, store improvements, product knowledge and how to grow the business.  So can someone tell me when we get 8 days per week and 25 hours per day to fit all this in??

After all is said and done - I'm Loving every minute of it...the insaneness is energising and i'm so happy i took that leap and am eternally grateful to Mr Hubby for believing in his eccentric wife and for helping me with wee man and making sure our family time is family time> love you babe xox

Feel free to drop me a line - all advice greatly accepted!!