CLARA POWER (TPI)
1. Tell us about yourself and your shop. What do
you sell?
My name is Clara Power and I am a mother of 2 highly active and well-traveled kids, Andrew and Lauren. I am a Personal Travel Advisor at my own
travel agency Clara Power TPI based out of Vaughan. As a family travel
specialist I work with my clients to plan the perfect family holiday for them.
2. What
was your situation before you started this business? Were you
always a business owner, or did you have a more
traditional career?
Previous to starting my travel business, I worked in in
the corporate world in Human Resources for 20 years. Eventually I decided to focus on my business
on a FT basis and I resigned my Head of HR position at a large and rapidly
growing retail organization. I was no
longer engaged in the work I was doing; I was having trouble keeping up with
all the expectations of a stressful role and motherhood. I once read a quote “if
you aren’t making your own dreams happen, you are working to make someone
else’s”. I no longer wanted to work for
anyone else, I wanted control over my schedule, my work and do what I love
every day.
3. How do you keep everything organized? Do you have a
workspace?
I am lucky enough to have a dedicated office space in my
home where I have a great computer, and everything that I need. Being in the travel business speed, accuracy
and attention to detail are very important and I need to be able to focus. I am naturally detail oriented and everything
has a spot in my office. If there are
ever more than a few papers on my desk, they get filed or tossed. A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind!
4.
What has
been the most difficult aspect of being a Mommy with a Small Business?
The
most difficult part of being an entrepreneur is the feeling of being pulled in
so many directions. In my business
people expect responses immediately and sometimes there are multiple requests
and family obligations. I really try to
keep my weekend for my family but it’s difficult as I want to be there for my
clients too. I am a people pleaser by nature and want to make everyone around
me happy.
5.
Who are your customers, and how do you serve
them? Was there a pressing problem you were trying to solve with your product?
My clients are mostly families wanting to take a
vacation – when they come to me they want to discuss their goals, their travel
dreams, their bucket lists (very different from my pervious role where people
came to HR just to complain!). I work
with them to learn about them, their travel preferences, what are they looking
for and what’s important to them. In the
day with so much technology, anyone can google a resort or an island – but it’s
only with experience and extensive knowledge that I can present clients with
the ones that are perfect for them and make it easy for them saving them tons
of time.
6.
What resources or tools did you find
most helpful when you were getting started?
I have been lucky to work with a great mentor that
helped me get started. He has been in
the industry for many years, has traveled the world extensively, is a master of
his business and has shared many of his tips with me. Whenever there is a complicated travel problem,
he is always there to be my sounding board to develop a solution. I think every
entrepreneur should have some type of mentor to help navigate the business
world.
7.
How do you use social networking in
your business (or how does your business benefit from social networking sites)?
A very high percentage of my new business comes from
social networking. Social networking is
not just about posting on your website or facebook site, it’s about interacting
with customers, following up with them and creating communities. Its working to
create a brand where people can trust you and come to you when they need
something. Sharing your knowledge and
showing your followers that you really know the business you are in, goes a
long way.
8. What
are you most proud of having accomplished?
As a family travel specialist everything Disney is a big
part of my focus. Within two years of starting
my agency I was recognized by the Walt Disney Travel Company as an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.” This prestigious title is awarded to travel companies
that have a certain level of sales, expertise and knowledge about the Disney
vacations. There are less than a handful
of companies in Ontario that are considered “Earmarked” and to have
accomplished this in a short period of time in a business run by one person is
considered to be extremely uncommon.
9.
What’s next for you? What are your
next goals?
I had a very tough 2015 with family loss and it made me
realize what is important. It’s not
about buying stuff, it’s about creating memories as any moment can be the
last. My goal is to continue growing my
business while helping my clients achieve their travel dreams. I want to
continue spending more time with my family and taking great adventures with
them. I want my clients to be able to
enjoy their lives, be able to spend time with their family and follow their
passions.
10. What
advice would you give to mothers trying to start their own businesses?
Early in my career someone told me once that “no one will
remember what you do for them, but they will remember the way you make them
feel.” This sticks with me every time I
have an interaction with a client. Some
people think that travel has become a commodity but when you work with a
personal travel advisor like myself it’s not about making the sale, it’s about
creating a relationship and making my client feel special – and that comes from
the heart.
Clara Power is a happily married mother to 2 well traveled kids, Andrew and Lauren. She is a Personal Travel Advisor at her own travel agency Clara Power TPI which is in association with Travel Professionals International. As an active traveler having visited over 35 countries and almost every continent, (still working on Antarctica), Clara is no stranger in understanding the unique wants and needs of families travelling together making her your expert choice for creating those special family vacation experiences.
Do not hesitate to call her today to learn about what she can do to help you plan a seamless and enjoyable vacation!
Clara Power
Owner/Personal Travel Advisor
p: 416.996.6849
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I have travelled extensively with my 2 children – book your family vacation with someone who understands travelling with kids and can give you the insight and tips to create your lasting family memories. Please visit my website at www.clarapower.ca to learn more about me and my services.
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Travel Professionals International (TPI)
1131 Nottinghill Gate, Suite 203, Oakville, Ontario L6M 1K5
905.896.6948 TICO Reg. 1576226
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