Suzy Cooper: achieving a better deal for people who travel on their own
I set up Singular Travel following my own negative experiences of travelling alone and finding I was being fleeced financially as a result. This coincided with a time in my life when, amongst other significant changes, my previous job as an academic came to an end – so I was very much looking for the next step. I was keen to pursue the idea of a company which would challenge the inequality and unfairness shown towards single travellers. This was, and is, very much an entirely new concept so I spent the next nine months doing a huge amount of research.
The idea was not to act as travel agents, or to sell the holidays directly but to act as an umbrella site providing single travellers with the widest possible choice of holidays that do not penalise us with extra supplements or inferior accommodation. After cold calling and contacting numerous prospective clients and travel providers, something I don’t naturally relish, I was convinced that yes, there was sufficient interest. As a result, in 2006 my idea became reality.
Our mission is to provide independent single travellers with access to a wide variety of holidays and travel opportunities across the UK and the world – from sun and sand to city breaks, escorted adventures to specialist activity holidays - with guarantees of equality and quality of treatment. Having such a clear, passionate mission is really important; without it I may well have given up by now.
The business is still in its infancy and still evolving and is now quite different from how I initially envisaged it would be, but that’s very much how I believe businesses need to be. It’s incredibly hard work and I’ve never been so challenged in my life, but much of that challenge has been learning new skills and doing something completely different. As I love learning that’s a really positive thing. Fortunately I’m totally zealous about it, I don’t think you can run a business like this if you’re not.
Although I’m now 54, I don’t see myself as slowing down even though I do recognise that physically I’m not as energetic as I was when I was younger. But I don’t see that as a real drawback. Back then I didn’t have the mental focus – I couldn’t have done this when I was in my thirties. For one thing it would have been impossible to juggle it with caring for the children when they were young. Another advantage of being older is being able to draw upon the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired throughout your life. For example, prior to setting up the company I’d spent 18 years as an academic and although that was very different as a career, I feel the research skills I had from doing my Masters degree stood me in very good stead for the research needed for establishing the business.
A big plus point in starting a business at this age is that although the responsibilities of running the business are enormous, I only really have myself to worry about if it fails, though I’m absolutely determined that will never happen. There’s a strange sort of balance at this age between being slightly more devil-may-care, philosophical and prepared to take risks and being extremely focused and having absolute belief in yourself and your ability to succeed. Working for yourself gives you a tremendous buzz – and it’s fantastic when what you’re doing is fulfilling a mission as well as making a living.
My advice to other people who may be thinking of starting a business at this age is that if you want to, there’s no time to waste. Research every aspect of your idea well and then if it still seems viable, go for it. Be prepared for knocks and setbacks - they will happen. In view of this, always have a contingency plan so you’ll know immediately what to do if things go wrong. Also, listen to advice, be flexible in your thinking and be prepared to change course if needs be. And, if possible, go into business with a partner, it’s so much easier.
The other important thing to remember is that whatever set backs you have in your life, they ultimately make you stronger and more able to cope, so don’t be too afraid of them. Ultimately if you’re doing something you love then it’s all worthwhile.
For further information contact:
http://www.singulartravel.co.uk
[story posted March 2007]