Personal Travel Manager Wins Home Based Business of the Year
Melbourne-based personal travel manager, Nicole Edgar, has entered her local business awards in five of the last eight years, taking home the award for “New Business of the Year” in her first year and being named as one of the finalists every other year that she has entered. This year, she was able to improve on her previous record by winning the category, “Home Based Business of the Year.”
Edgar, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Narre Warren South, says she was delighted with the outcome of the Casey Cardinia Business Awards, which are run by the City of Casey and the Cardinia Shire Council.
“I’ve had lots of wonderful feedback from colleagues and clients already,” says Edgar. “It’s been a great way to take a fresh look at my business, as the entry process required me to reflect on successes and achievements to date as well as thinking about my business goals going forward.”
TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, says the company is extremely proud of Edgar’s accomplishment, hailing it as recognition of the hard work that she has put into building her business over the past 10 years.
“Home-based professionals, regardless of the industry in which they work, need to be self-motivated, entrepreneurial and pro-active: Nicole is the epitome of this, and we’re thrilled that she’s received this recognition for her endeavours.”
The awards, which are offered annually, aim to celebrate the outstanding achievements of local businesses in the Casey Cardinia area. After the initial application process, the three finalists in each category were visited in their place of work to be interviewed by an independent judging panel, with the winners eventually announced at a gala awards dinner, hosted by Channel 9 Melbourne weather girl & ‘Getaway’ reporter, Livinia Nixon.
As well as collecting a $1000 cash prize and an attractive crystal trophy which is now proudly on display in her home office, Edgar has received considerable exposure within her local community since the win, which she is already converting into new business.
“It’s early days yet, but I had several people approach me at the gala awards evening who are interested in booking their next holidays with me,” she says.
As well as the boost to her brand profile thanks to the publicity surrounding the awards, Edgar also received practical support for her businesses, in the form of a toolkit that included assistance in writing a media release, practical steps for publicise her success and tips for using social media to promote her business.
You’d be forgiven for assuming that, having been a finalist every year she’s entered and having already won in two categories, that Edgar is now finished with the Casey Cardinia Business Awards.
“I’ll definitely be entering again – it’s a great experience, great publicity for my business and a great way to celebrate the progress I’ve made in building an amazing business.”
