Enterprenuer
Nena Chaletzos founded Luxtripper, a luxury travel company specializing in adventure, multi-destination, and experiential travel. It has more than 90 locations around the globe.
Nena recognized the need to provide innovative technology in luxury travel to help create bespoke holidays more quickly and allow for better customer service.
Luxtripper’s in-house technology matches customers with destinations around the globe in seconds. It can also build multi-destination itineraries quickly and efficiently, allowing its travel experts to spend more time talking to customers and finding out what makes their trip unique.
The business has snowballed and is now one of the UK’s most successful travel companies. It currently employs more than 80 people in India and the UK. The business invested earlier and planned to increase its destination offerings and workforce over three years.
It also plans to invest more in its proprietary technology, allowing the customer greater control.
What is the story of Luxtripper?
Travel has always been something I have loved. I loved to travel when I was young. I spent my time researching new places and designing exceptional itineraries to help me explore the world.
I grew up with my dad, who was a high-street travel agent. He taught me how important it was to get a personal touch to help you create new experiences. But also how tedious and time-consuming planning a trip can be.
I discovered the power of technology and was shocked that no one had attempted to automate travel planning.
Luxtripper was born from this realization. It harnessed the power of technology and matched customers to the perfect luxury destinations. Luxtripper also created exceptional itineraries that met all their needs in a fraction of the time.
How do you stay productive?
My day is spent talking with colleagues and working with the team to develop new products and services. Our latest fundraiser was completed earlier in the year. It will increase our destination offerings over the next three years, invest in our technology, and hire amazing new people.
Because I spend so much time in meetings, I must work smarter and not more complicated because I work a lot. My lean approach to solving minor problems quickly and making quick decisions is the most productive.
It is easy to get bogged down trying to solve a significant problem. This can lead you to waste your time and money.
Conversely, Lean methodologies allow you to get accurate, real-time feedback about your actions and help you solve more significant issues.
How do you bring ideas to life?
My amazing team. Every member of my Luxtripper family brings unique insight, ideas, and experiences to our clients. This is what helps us make concepts into reality and keeps us competitive.
As a disruptor brand, we need to think outside of the box. Our ideas must come out of the business and from many people. Diversity in voice, perspective, and experience will help us reach a broader customer base.
Regular meetings are held with the team to discuss new products. We welcome all opinions and suggestions as we create them. Because we trust all the voices within our organization implicitly, and because it is essential for our future as a company that they are heard, we listen attentively to all information.
What’s your favorite trend?
Meaningful travel. After months of travel restrictions and lockdowns, we have seen an increase in people looking for experiences that connect them with wildlife, people, and cultures around the globe.
We’ve created multi-destination, experience-rich travel that brings that to our customers. We are excited about a trend reflecting what we stand for as a company.
What habits make you productive?
It is being outcome-focused. Getting lost in the details and taking on too many tasks is easy. Instead, consider whether the item supports your three-year goal or is just a nice thing to have. If the former, you can let it go.
What’s your advice for the Noob?
Never stop learning. It is tough to start a business, and it can be stressful to grow it. Dedicating some time to learning is essential and should not be stopped. Learn from your colleagues, customers, friends, and even your mistakes. Take each lesson in stride and learn from them.
Luxtripper was founded on the principle of continuous learning. It became a core value. This is a commitment never to stop learning and a promise that everyone who joins Luxtripper will be able to see that we are always looking for ways to improve their lives and that they are committed to our own.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
Vulnerable leaders are the best. The difference between success and failure is being your authentic, true self. Asking for help in dealing with situations can make all the difference. Although the company leader must be there, it is not enough.
Leaders must also model the behavior they want to see in the rest of their business. Luxtrippers are a family that celebrates our successes and works through our failures together.
I have seen vulnerability sneered at throughout my career. But I know that when my colleagues and I are vulnerable with each other, when we share our experiences and connect in different ways, our culture strengthens, and everyone feels closer to us all.
I am a more decisive CEO because of it.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
It would help if you took the time to cultivate your culture. My background in HR means that I am naturally people-focused.
When you invest in your employees and their futures, you can create strong advocates for your company with people willing to support you along your journey.
Luxtripper considers all of its staff to be family. We have our people serving as our leaders and making time for everyone to connect daily so they know how important this family is.
Culture is not just about making employees happy. A strong culture will reflect your company’s personality and influence everything you do. This includes how they interact with customers and what they do for work.
A strong culture will make your company run.
What’s your rich strategy?
It is keeping agile. It is essential to be agile in a start-up environment. However, agility becomes more difficult as you hire more people and clients and are more long-term-focused.
Luxtripper was founded in 2015 by agile people. It helped us cater to new markets, attract customers, and offer various products and services that set us apart from other companies.
We have been careful not to lose our agile mindset as we scale up. This has been invaluable in dealing with change and uncertainty.
We spend a lot of time listening to our client’s needs for luxury travel via channels such as social media and over the phone. We can take suggestions and turn them into offers or products, sometimes within hours.
While this has been more difficult as we scale, it keeps our customers engaged and competitive.
How do you overcome Failure?
When I started the business, I didn’t have the money to hire anyone. I knew that meant that I had to do it all myself.
This assumption told me I didn’t get the support and encouragement that was so important for entrepreneurs to help them stay future-focused and give them the encouragement and support they need to succeed.
After realizing my error, I quickly found as many people as possible to surround myself with. My early “team” comprised mentors, advisors, friends, and family. They were my sounding board, cheerleaders, and support network, so I never felt isolated.
It’s crucial to start looking inward from day one. Find the areas where you lack knowledge and abilities, then search for great people who can fill them. You don’t have to hire employees but can tap into your networks and find mentors. Share your successes with your failures.
Failure is part of the job and vital to your business development. Entrepreneurs are more optimistic than anyone, but it is not always easy.
You will be able to achieve your subsequent success by how you bounce back and what you do with all the lessons you have learned. Celebrate all milestones, both good and bad. Each one will help you grow as a leader and business owner.
Can you share a business idea?
I have become a great fan of plants in the past 12 months, especially since I started working at home. However, I still struggle to grow and care for them.
I would love to see a service providing a starting kit to grow plants, herbs, vegetables, and seeds at home—also advice on placing pots and other helpful tips.
What’s your recent best buy?
I am always open to learning new things to help me see the bigger picture and make my life more meaningful.
Recently, I have been researching crystals and their potential for enhancing my perspective.
The science behind crystals and why they are so popular among engineers and wellness gurus fascinate me.
They contain incredible energy at the molecular level, so they are famous for their healing abilities and strength.
I have purchased some and plan to buy more.
What are your favorite Software or Apps?
My favorite service right now is Blinkist. It condenses nonfiction books into 15 minutes of audio or text. I am a sponge for knowledge but don’t have much time.
This service is perfect because it allows me to gain that insight quickly and pass it on to my team and work colleagues.
Which book would you recommend?
The Art of War is a fascinating book that explains ancient military strategies and tactics. It contains excellent quotes and thinking styles and offers valuable lessons to business leaders today about building great teams, competing, and succeeding.
What’s your favorite quote?
“If you don’t measure it, you aren’t managing it.” It’s essential to be aware of the business’s current state. If you don’t, you won’t know what’s working and what’s broken.
It is essential to have a variety of measurements to avoid missing anything. We don’t just use measure for the sake.
This insight allows us to be more proactive and reactive to our customers and staff to help us grow as a company.
TL;DR by Nena Chaletzos
- You can navigate uncertainty and change with a lean approach and an agile mindset.
- A strong culture will make your company run smoothly and will be appreciated by your customers.
- Leaders will be more successful if they are open to receiving support and being vulnerable.
- Diverse perspectives, voices, and ideas will reflect a broader customer base and help you be more competitive.
- You will learn and be open to failure through continuous learning and natural curiosity.
