Posted 08 March 2018
International Women’s Day occurs on 8 March every year and is a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women, from the famous names throughout history, to the individuals close to you. It also raises awareness of gender inequality and marks a call to action to accelerate gender parity. Celebrated since the early 20th century, it now supported by thousands of companies, charities, academic institutions, social groups and communities around the world.
At Travel Counsellors, we’ve been empowering both women and men to run their own travel businesses for nearly 25 years. We’ve now got 1,800 franchisees in seven countries worldwide; 79% of which are female. We’re proud of our unique, home-based support model that empower individuals to build successful business and it’s one that focusses on nurturing an open and supportive culture which champions gender diversity.
We encourage women to take back control of their working lives, even gaining recognition from the national press for doing so, and we are proud of the financial reward, flexibility and recognition of hard work that we offer our Travel Counsellors.
How we have empowered our people
Donna Bidwell, who has been a Travel Counsellor since 2012, expressed how Travel Counsellors has helped empower her to change her life for the better.
“If I were not a Travel Counsellor,” says Donna, “I would not always be able to take my children to school and pick them up. Dinners wouldn’t be ready each night and I wouldn’t be able to attend all the school things the children are involved in, and that’s important to me. I feel very lucky to be in a position to have the career that I have, and the great thing is that I love doing what I do.”
It is a feeling that Marie Rayner, who has been a Travel Counsellors for 13 years, shares: “For me, being a Travel Counsellor means a lot to me. I have been a Travel Counsellor for 13 years and never looked back. My family mean the world to me and running my own business means I’m here if they need me, and I’m free to attend other things that are important to me. I can treat my customers to the service that they deserve, and I do not have to answer to a boss. I love my job, and that’s why I’m a Travel Counsellor.”
Equality from the top down
On Tuesday, it was announced that our UK Managing Director Kirsten Hughes has added to the ‘Northern Power Women – Power List’. As a campaign, Northern Power Women aims to accelerate gender balance from the North and the ‘Power List’ recognises those leaders and change agents who are making a difference and having a continued impact.
Kristen spoke of her pride in other women, saying: “Strong female speakers have always inspired me, and I always try to do the same for other ambitious females, supporting them in their path to success. I try to be a positive role model for other female team members. I am a wife and mother of three, so I believe that you can have it all if you have focus and self-belief.”
Last year, both Kirsten and our Operations Director Karen Morris also featured in the North West Business Insider’s Top 100 Women in Business list.
As key figures in the business, Kirsten and Karen have been instrumental in the growth and success of Travel Counsellors and are fantastic role models for women across the business and beyond. We were absolutely delighted when Karen was recognised at the Everywoman in Travel awards in November last year; an award that recognises women who have truly gone above and beyond in their role to help drive the organisation’s success.
Travel Counsellors’ commitment to its women and team as a whole is an ongoing process and is the difference between being work colleagues and being a family.