Caring Covid podcasts, catalyst for new company for entrepreneurs

When Covid struck there was an instant collapse in the UK travel industry.

Within weeks international and domestic travel fell to near zero.

Airlines around the world grounded their fleets, travel businesses shut down and demand dried up.

This was a shock that hit sharper, faster and deeper than anything the travel industry had ever seen. Home based workers were catapulted into despair, helplessness and a genuine fear that their businesses were going to fold before their eyes.

So why did dozens of these frightened travel business owners turn to David Speakman, the founder and former CEO of industry leader Travel Counsellors?

A man who had been out of travel for more than two years after selling his shares in the company.

Despite the two year break, Speakman’s love for the industry, his former company and his passion for helping people grow their businesses had not diminished one iota.

“Even after selling Travel Counsellors, I felt I had an obligation to help those home based agents who had put their trust in me. I had hoped to achieve that by remaining as a director, but sadly it wasn’t to be,” said Speakman.

“But during Covid I found a way to say ‘thank you’ to these terrific people. I felt I was repaying in some way the trust they had in me.

“And doing my podcasts to deliver help, advice and guidance to so many Travel Counsellors was incredibly fulfilling even though the circumstances were unprecedented.

“I believe it helped them enormously, and it rekindled something in me. I loved what I had previously done over the years to help these people to successfully grow their businesses. And I still felt I had something to offer and give back.

“I realised then that this was the catalyst that would lead me back into the place where I thrive: building a business and then enabling, helping and mentoring owners to build their own businesses, stronger and better.”