Meet Sarah Spriggs of Sarah – Your Personal Travel Agent

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Spriggs. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always loved to travel, to see the world and meet people from all backgrounds, and only upon reflection I think this is down to my parents. Many years ago, when I was small, my mum had a Volkswagen campervan and at any opportunity and in all weathers, she would take us away on “holiday”. I can’t recall all the places we visited, but wherever it was, it always felt like an adventure! At the time my dad had his own breakdown recovery business, although he couldn’t always come along on our little holidays, he would take me out in his truck when he got work at the weekends. There was something I used to love about just being out and visiting new places, meeting his customers, especially if they were near the coast, it was like a mini road trip!

My career started quite late, after having my three beautiful children I followed my dream of working in Travel, I studied at college and took a job at a bar just to get some Customer service experience. The Travel Industry had always been in my heart, it is an industry that creates experiences; not only do you get to see amazing places, but it allows us to learn about new cultures and become better, more rounded people. If we don’t travel and see, how can we understand our differences? That was MY philosophy.

My first role was in Sales, I didn’t consider what that really meant, I was in, and I was going to be a part of something good. It soon become obvious that I had been quite naive, and it wasn’t what I had expected it to be. My job was to hit sales targets and I although I did, I knew there was something missing …

As the years past, I worked at different companies, still within the industry. From Budget Holidays to Luxury Bespoke Trips moving finally onto Escorted Tours and Cruises, still chasing that dream and philosophy. During my time I was lucky to have the opportunity to visit a variety of destinations and experience all types of holidays, it opened my eyes to new ways of exploring the world, it also allowed me to talk to people from all walks of life, hearing their stories and sharing experiences. I took opportunities to work across different departments, from after sales to marketing, and over the 10 years, I had experienced the whole customer journey. Looking back, it has given me the experience and confidence to be able to have my own today.

When the pandemic hit, initially I was fortunate enough to be furloughed, and that was probably when things changed for me. It gave me time to reflect, reconnect with what is important.

I learnt to draw, or should I say, I am learning. I found this extremely therapeutic and only wish I had found this love earlier. Drawing taught me that, it doesn’t matter if you have never done something before, if I work hard, apply myself, I can do anything.

Like many, I got more time with the family and although they are a little older, just being available for them when they needed me felt more important now than ever. Going forward whatever the next chapter would be, I knew that things would have to change and ultimately it was to create that work life balance.

It didn’t come as a surprise, after 8 months of being furloughed I was made redundant. What shall I do, I loved Travel, it was my passion, but equally my frustration as I never felt that I was fulfilling my dream? Was now the opportunity to start again, to create that work / life balance and to put my philosophy into practice. Was now the time to take control and make that customer journey a better experience? After long conversations with my partner, going over all the how’s, why’s and what if’s,

we decided it was time, I had to grab the opportunity and become a Self-employed Travel Agent. I knew I would need to be part of a bigger group so all the holidays I sold had ABTA and ATOL protection, so in May 2021, I joined Holidays Please, Number 1 Online Travel Homeworking Group.

It was positive change and equally a challenge. A chance to use all my experience yet have the freedom of running my own business. All the important things in my life wouldn’t need to be compromised anymore:
I would be creating the whole journey:, From designing the adverts and marketing it to them, listening to their needs and establishing the right experience, confirming their trip, and being their to answer any questions along the way, right until they return home (and everything in-between). They wouldn’t be a number, nor a target, they are a person looking for my help with their experience. It’s a two-way relationship and that’s important.
My time is flexible which means that if I need to take time away I can, likewise if my customer needs to speak to me in the evening, then I can do that.
I can help with any travel experience, whether it’s for a Honeymoon in the Maldives or a Motorcycle tour along the Route 66, this makes every day different and each person unique. I get to hear amazing stories from everyone I speak to and learn new things. It unfortunately means that my travel bucket list gets bigger by the day.
I get to spend the days with my partner as he to works from home and be there for the children when they are back from school / college.
The future feels free and flexible, being self-employed allows me the freedom to work wherever I want, meaning that our future won’t be tied to one place, I can take my office anywhere.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been smooth? no way! Running your own business is literally a mental rollercoaster, one moment you feel amazing, especially when something you have created comes to fruition. Then there are days when you work hard on your marketing to have no response, or you have put together an itinerary bespoke to that person, then they just disappear. It’s the nature of the job, but it does make you question and analyse everything you are doing, and you ask yourself all the time, how can I do better. This mix of emotions are apparently quite normal for any business starting out, I guess it’s because we all want to succeed.

But what keeps me going; firstly, my partner supporting me in every way, taking pressure off me, when I put it on myself. We laugh every day and literally have done since the day we met. We discuss new ideas to help the business grow and we work together to make sure we have a great work life balance. If it wasn’t for his encouragement I wouldn’t be in this position, so I am grateful that he believes in me.

And of course, it’s those lovely people that I have helped, the customers that have become friends, when they come back from holiday and they tell me how much of a great time they have had, then they write a wonderful review and your heart literally warms, it’s beautiful, it’s worth the struggles, it keeps me going.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Travel Agent and that means that I can sell all types of travel, people often just see it as holidays (vacations). but actually, it includes, Honeymoons, Expeditions, Adventure Tours, Retreats, Wedding’s Abroad – if it involves travelling, for whatever reason I can make it happen. 

I don’t specialize in any area, I have experience in all types of destinations, however, my favorite requests are complex tailor-made itineraries, when someone wants to see a few different places and I have to put that altogether for them 

What makes me stand out? I care and I am there for everyone right up until they return. It’s only me that they will deal with, however I am backed by a great team who can help (if I were to fall ill for example). I am passionate about what I do and why I do it, I am proud of the service I provide, because I am open and honest and understand the importance of customer service. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice, to remember that it can take time and it requires patience as much as hard work. You should be proud of yourself, for at least trying and there’s a great saying – Focus on the dream but be flexible on the approach. 

Contact Info:

• Email: sarah.spriggs@holidaysplease.com
• Website: https://bromleytravelagents.co.uk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_personal_travel_agent/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Personal.Travel.Agent.Sarah.Spriggs
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjEkOHy6LFaD2YAJfCwkf_A