Bring Your Own Kids: Leah Squires Builds a Business

After deciding the moment her first child was born that working from home was going to be her path forward, Leah Squires set up a travel business specialising in family travel. In this interview she shares with Your Balance the ups and downs of her journey and what keeps her going.

What is your elevator pitch?

I am the owner of internet based specialist travel company www.byokids.com.au ….your family travel gurus. Our qualified travel consultants understand the needs of parents and arrange and book perfect family holidays within Australia or Worldwide. Our clients come from all parts of Australia and overseas and we work with them via phone and email.

What kind of family environment did you grow up in?

I grew up in a great family environment. My parents were hard working and we lived in the suburbs of Adelaide. I have one older sister. My parents still live in the house I grew up in.

What were the early days like trying to break into the industry?

Hard!  The travel industry is dominated by some major brands and old ideas. It was difficult to get some people to understand my idea and vision.

What kept you going when times were tough financially?

My passion to get families out there travelling and enjoying life together and to make my BYOkids dream a reality

What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?

I’ve always enjoyed everything I’ve done. The most normal was a stint in the public service working for the Deputy Premier of SA when I was just 16.  I am actually a mechanical drafter by trade but found that a bit too routine. Travel, hospitality and tourism are more fun!

Were you ever tempted to get a ‘real job’?

I am often tempted. A regular paypacket, leave the office at five, no weekends and no stress, paid holidays.  But then I know it wouldn’t work – I’d be bored before long and the lack of flexibility would drive me nuts!

Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?

I think they do blend as I am in travel and so it’s hard to not take note of things and places wherever you go.  However I do try to switch off for family time; it was more difficult in the early days than it is now.

How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?

I have no set daily routines. I just do what needs to be done and when I do work I give 110%.  I work fast and hard and don’t waste time. If I don’t feel like working then I just wont or if the kids have something on then I’ll do that.  I don’t see the point of working if I am distracted or don’t want to be doing it.  So I think I am really productive with my work time but its no set routine.  We travel as a family around 3 – 4 months of the year so I just have to plan ahead for that and I work really hard before we go and when I get back. But its worth it!

What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?

Champagne! Only joking, of course. Health, family and friends

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Lack of capital to spend on marketing

How many hours do you work in a typical working day and do you work weekends?

Depends on what needs to be done.  One week I might work 10 hours a day another just a couple of hours a day.  I actually try to do a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon as our retail office is closed and I find I can go there and get so much more work done.  Three hours of solid work on a weekend might equate to an eight hour day on a weekday with distractions.

Can you describe a typical day?

Make the kids lunches, get the kids off to school.  Decide whether to go into the office or just do some work from home.  Work on my websites and marketing of BYOkids or of my book “Marketing with no money”

What would you be doing if you weren’t doing BYOkids?

I love the tourism industry so probably something along the lines of internet and e-marketing for a travel company.

What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with?

A positive ambitious attitude.

Why are these qualities important to you?

Because you spend a lot of time with the people you work with and everyone needs to motivate each other, especially when you are trying to grow a business

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with my kids and husband

Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I love hard working ideas people who aren’t afraid to take a chance, like Richard Branson.

Name your three favorite websites – the ones you visit regularly?

I work on the web so I don’t really use it in my spare time, however I love property so realestate.com.au would be my most viewed.  Of course I have to say my own websites are my favourites though I have too many to list – even my kids have their own websites.

Do you Twitter? Do you Blog?

Yes, I do for business but not just for fun

If you were able to invite any three people to dinner, who would they be?

Jimmy Barnes, Richard Branson and Donald Trump

Do you have a favorite saying?  If so, what is it?

Go hard or go home!

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

I’d definitely choose not to have to sleep!

What is the biggest challenge to young people today?

I can’t think of one.  Australia is the land of opportunity. Put in the hard work, the commitment, perseverance and it will pay off

What community organizations are you involved in? Why is that important?

Mainly tourism associations and business groups.  I also spend a lot of time with my kids at sports groups.  Its important from a networking point of view and to have a break from work.

Do you remember the exact moment you decided to work from home?

Yes the minute I gave birth to my first child.

What has your biggest challenge been? Your biggest achievement? Your proudest moment?

Everything has been a challenge and strong learning curve.  My biggest achievement and proudest moments are combined. They would be every time you take on a new staff member as that is a sign that you’re expanding and growing.  My other would be winning our awards: “Best New Business in Australia 2007” and “Best Micro Business in Australia 2008”

What is the best advice you have ever received? The worst?

My Mum always said to me there is no such word as “can’t”. The number of times I have nearly thrown in the towel, I remember anything is possible and that there is no such word as “can’t”.  Not sure about the worst advice…there have been many people that have had things to say but I just take it onboard and then make my own decisions.

What would you spend your very last $10 on?

A bottle of wine and I’d go down the river and share it with friends

With one week to live, what would you do?

Go on holiday, I’d see as much as I could before I died

If you ruled the world, what would be the first law you put into place?

Instead of compulsory employer superannuation I’d have compulsory employer holiday funds.

What makes you laugh?

Seinfeld and stand up comedy

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

Travel the world and have fun!

What are your pet hates?

Laziness

How would you describe yourself in a personal ad?

Hard working, tired old girl in need of a holiday!  Will come to life if you just add champagne, cheese and biscuits.  Can talk underwater but should be better at staying in touch with family and friends.

If you have a minimum of three years travel experience and would like to join the team working for byokids.com.au working from home as a Travel Consultant then please apply via the Lifestyle Careers Job Board before the 28th February.

---

Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers. Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.

Tagged as: balance, family travel, interview, leah squires, Work from Home