BYOkids - your family travel gurus

www.byokids.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

www.byokids.com.au has over 800 pages online of family friendly holiday ideas, destinations, deals, tips and reviews. We are a specialist travel agency that arranges the perfect family holiday in Australia or worldwide.

2. When and why did you start your business?

I started the website www.byokids.com.au in 2005 but if was just a journal of our travels. We became a licensed travel agency specialising in family holidays late 2006. I started it out of frustration at not being able to find a travel agent that understood the needs of families.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with of your business?

I have been able to turn my dream into reality. I am truly passionate about family travel so its great to do what you love. BYOkids was awarded best new business in Australia 2007 and best micro business in Australia 2008 which was very satisfying.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Having started the business with just $1000 the biggest problem was always marketing the business with no marketing budget.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

We have been very fortunate to have recieved a great deal of free publicity across all types of media including, TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and online.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

I think all our marketing activities have been successful to a degree. We use a range of free and cheap marketing strategies each of them makes a difference just some more so than others.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Having the flexibility to be there for my kids and family whenever they want me. I never miss a game of kids sport or school excursion. Obviously the chance to travel 2-3 months of every year with my family is a favourite too!

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I am inspired by anyone in business that is successful as its damn hard work. Whether its the owner of the local deli or a large corporation they all put in the hard work and took the chance in business so I take my hat off to them all.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

We are currently licensing the BYOkids brand so that travel agencies can be the BYOkids specialist in there area. We'd like to have a family travel specialist in every suburb of Australia

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Learn how to market your business on the cheap and build up a good repoir with editors and journalists. I wrote a book on the subject to share the strategies I used to build my brand and business called "Marketing with No Money ...how to get your business the attention it deserves" www.marketingwithnomoney.com

Visit us at: www.byokids.com.au