SmallBiz100 boost for Lancashire's Strawberry Holidays

"At that head of marketing level though, the pool was very small in terms of roles. It was then Global [Travel Group] approached me and said – ‘have you thought about launching your own business?’. It felt like a really good time, I was getting a bit bored knocking on everyone else’s door."

Holroyd said it was then she discovered her mother-in-law Fiona was looking for an opportunity to work from home, and had been looking into becoming a travel consultant.

"It all fell together," said Holroyd, who went into business with her mother-in-law in late-2016, with Strawberry Holidays selling its first holiday in January 2017.

Reflecting on the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Holroyd said her marketing background had helped her maximise income from other avenues. She’s also taken up a minimum wage waitressing role at a restaurant she worked at as a teenager to secure her income.

"I know some agents don’t have that luxury," said Holroyd. "It sounds so weird to say a minimum wage job is a luxury. But it allows the business to simmer along so it’s still in people’s minds and has some longevity into 2021 and beyond.

"It’s been quiet, and while I’m still encouraging enquiries and still lead generating, it’s very much for 2021. Consumer confidence is down, but because we don’t have an office, our cost base is really low. We had a good year last year and we’ve taken a Bounce Back loan so we can keep the doors open without bringing any new business in for now.

"That’s one of the benefits of Small Business Saturday, I want to be at the forefront of people’s minds and build the brand, even if I’m not actually taking enquiries. During lockdown, I’ve really worked on the business, come up with a plan, and made sure not to run around like a headless chicken."

Strawberry Holidays will be the focus for the initiative on Thursday 12 November, while a place on the list opening up attendance to a Downing Street and Treasury reception. Small Business Saturday also features SmallBiz100 members in local and national media releases, and is able to assist them with PR opportunities.

"For me, 2020 was about creating sustainable growth and a sustainable income for me and my family," said Holroyd. "That’s delayed, if you will. The next 12 months is going to be about instilling confidence as much as possible in the market through Facebook Lives, being a consumer champion, and just helping rebuild consumer confidence in travel.

"From that, my hope is business will follow. National Geographic, Forbes and [The Independent’s] Simon Calder have really been pushing travel agents so I’ve been using those quotes to highlight how the role of the travel agent isn’t dead, it’s actually more relevant than ever."

Holroyd urged other agents, particular self-starters and homeworkers, to grasp every opportunity out there, including schemes like SmallBiz100. "The more you engage with them, the more success you can get out of it," she said.

"If it’s free, it all it takes is my time, I’m open to it. I was on the SmallBiz directory last year and I have got enquiries from it. Once you’ve done one directory profile, they’re pretty standard.

"I really do think there are some opportunities that are just too good to not consider. Small Business Saturday was one of those things for me. If all it takes is a little bit of your time, then do it. You’ve got nothing to lose."