Despina Karatzias is a woman who has drawn on her childhood migrant experiences to build and develop her tourism business Global Ballooning, and her experiences are captured in her latest business book Adventures of a Balloon Girl. As a young girl who couldn’t speak a word of English, it was her curiosity that allowed her to understand the world around her. And it’s her avid curiosity that has allowed her to move forward with a sharp business nous.
In the book, she shares with her readers the fundamental lessons learnt over the last decade managing a successful Victorian hot air balloon tourism business.
Having worked her way up from a bookings role to business manager, Despina has spent the last ten years growing the small business that has now become a focal point of tourism in Victoria. The business – in operation for over 20 years – services the city of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley and the business now networks with trade missions, export industries – always growing the brand as well as Victoria.
“It’s an organisation that I’ve grown with and assisted in growing the business, particularly with launching the balloons over Melbourne and they have become iconic and very unique to the city,” Despina tells Neos Kosmos.
The book is not necessarily about the tourism industry itself, but targets all small businesses and small business professionals wanting to grow their organisation in a positive and sustainable fashion.
The first step to doing this, she says, is for the small business to get connected to the ‘why’ – to understand why the business started in the first place. To get connected to the purpose of the business.
“You hear that a lot with large organisations about understanding corporate values, your mission and vision,” she explains, “and it’s just as relevant for a small business but they are too busy working in it to take the time out and have a think about things. But you need to get back to the core reason you started it. How to find the right people to work alongside you to fulfil that vision and building the dream time. And the importance of having good mentors – getting to know people who have already achieved what you are striving for.”
Despina has been instrumental in the development of new marketing strategies, establishing strong agent based relationships, implementing carbon offset initiatives, a positive working culture, putting into effect key performance indicators to track growth in her team and driving sales.
For more information and to purchase the book visit www.adventuresofaballoongirl.com.au