In an inspiring interview, founder and owner, Rita Sharma, shares what her motivation was for setting up the company; the keys to its success and what the future holds. Plus what it’s like to be woman in business, and the critical things to be aware of for someone wanting to start out on their own.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - October 14th, 2014 - Best At Travel has been creating beautiful memories for discerning travellers for almost 30 years. In an inspiring interview founder and owner, Rita Sharma, shares what her motivation was for setting up the company; the keys to its success and what the future holds. Plus what it’s like to be woman in business, and the critical things to be aware of for someone wanting to start out on their own.

Rita grew up in the 1970s, during an era where hard work and putting money on the table for the family were all part of growing up. “Everyone had to be independent in those days” she says. “Everyone had chores to do, shelves to stack, a paper round to complete… it was the talk of the town if someone went onto further education such as A levels or University.” Maggie Thatcher was in power; inspiring girls all over the country, including Rita. “She was an inspirational woman” Rita says. “She was breaking down barriers, and the UK was open for business”. It was in 1986 that Rita had the realisation that she could be her own boss, and decided to start a company of her own; Best At Travel. She hasn’t looked back since.

It has been Rita’s intuitiveness and ability to forecast, plan and implement a financial strategy that has driven the business to success. Many describe Rita as firm, but charismatic; an apt description for ‘Mrs S’, as she is known throughout the company. She has an open door policy and knows exactly what’s going on in her employee’s lives; working and personal. She thinks maybe it’s the mother in her that gives her this approach.

Rita is the ultimate multi-tasker; “most women are” she says. She lives by ‘to do’ lists and doesn’t find it an issue juggling work with home life; “it’s just something I’ve always managed to do” she says. Rita strongly believes that being a woman in business has never held her back; she hasn’t experienced gender discrimination and believes that keeping work and play boundaries in place is an important part of this.

Customers return to travel with Best At Travel time and time again. In 2013 65% of customers had travelled with Best At Travel before. “The staff are a large contributing factor to this” she says. “A lot of them have been here for years and have grown up with the company.” They have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge over the 28 years that Best At Travel has been in business, and are able to pass this directly onto the customer.

Rita believes that a key piece of advice to give people who are looking to start out on their own is to get a mentor. “There are so many organisations and groups out there for people starting their own business, and a lot of small businesses can start these days with little to no start-up cost” she says. “You just have to have the inclination to go out there and take the opportunities when they arise”. Research is also a critical aspect to success. “If someone has an entrepreneurial spirit they will be able to succeed” she says. “As long as they understand their market, their competitors and what it takes to be a success.”

Rita’s focus is firmly on the future. She believes that customers want simple, believable and curated content to engage and inspire them. It is Rita’s forward-thinking and planning that will take Best At Travel into its 30th year, and beyond.

                                                                     ENDS

Press Information
For more information, please contact Anna Faulder at Best At Travel on 0207 849 4048. Email: anna.faulder@bestattravel.co.uk

Website: www.bestattravel.co.uk

About Best At Travel
Best At Travel has been creating beautiful luxury memories for discerning travellers for nearly 30 years. Customers can take advantage of their expert knowledge and experience along with competitive pricing to book affordable luxury holidays around the world.

Customers can explore a destination their own way with an independent tailor-made tour; cruise around sun drenched beaches and cultural destinations; sample an all-inclusive holiday to match every occasion and suit every budget from fun-filled family resorts to intimate adult-only hideaways, whilst always receiving friendly expert advice and a high level of service.

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