Crib Sheet #21: Travel Horizon’s Candy Holtzman.

Candy Holtzman is our first momtrepreneur who discusses the business she started up and finished off…it’s now closed. But she ran a successful travel agency for many years and gives us an interesting global perspective on momtrepreneurship.

What business did you start up?

A home-based travel agency.

What motivated you to do it?

I was fed-up with corporate America and wanted to do something that I believe in. Travel is a way to make everyone into global citizens.

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

2 children, aged 29 and 25.

How long have you been running your business?

I ran it for 12 1/2 yrs.

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you chose to measure success?

About 3 years.

How did your family react to you starting your own business?

Very supportive.

Easiest part of your job?

Being enthusiastic about travel planning.

Hardest part of your job?

Dealing with airlines and flight bookings.

What skill would you most like to improve?

That’s not really relevant…I’ve closed my business.

What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?

That the best road to success in the travel industry is through affluent clients. It took me a long time to accept that.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Building a loyal clientele who then referred me to new clients.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Hearing glowing feedback from a client who just returned from a vacation.

A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Indulgence….potato chips!!!
Last purchase…..a book.
Favorite magazine…..National Geographic.