Kirsty Blows reminds us of why we do what we do. Why we work as hard as we do. We have the privilege and joy to be working in TRAVEL! Our passion is our everyday. We chat to Kirsty about how her passion has driven her to Rail Online and what she has learned at the stops along the way.
When Kirsty talks about the beauty of something as seemingly banal as a train station, suddenly you’re there and you realise these storied and beautiful places are alive. Her passion is contagious.
Did you always know what you wanted to do or was there an ‘a-ha’ moment for you?
There have been a couple of ‘a-ha’ moments. I always wanted to work in hospitality, but travelling around Europe on a Eurail Pass in the mid-2000s I realised that I just loved trains and I loved travel. When I returned to Australia I landed my role with Rail Plus.
Since then, I’ve been lucky because the businesses I have worked for have evolved, and I’ve been able to evolve with them. But along the way I had another ‘a-ha’ moment when, after being given the opportunity to head up the New Zealand divisions of Rail Plus and Rail Europe, I realised I had the desire – and the ability – to run a business.
Your first travel job was as a reservations consultant for Rail Plus. What did you learn from those early days that still impacts the decisions you make in your career today?
To provide good service you really need to listen carefully to what customers want and provide the best information possible. And most importantly answer ALL the questions in an email.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I wake up when my children wake me up, normally around 6.00am. No matter what time it is there is always a mad rush to get everyone out the door for daycare/school and back to my home office to start work. I’m not sure when this gets easier or if my kids will ever put their shoes on without being asked a minimum of five times!
What does power mean to you?
Having the ability to make decisions that affect change.
Who inspires you?
My sisters. I have three and we live four completely different lives in four different countries. It amazes me that four people with the same upbringing can be so unique and have such different dreams. I’m so proud of them all and they each inspire me in their own way.
I’m also inspired by Rail Online’s founder James Dunne for successfully creating a travel start-up company in the middle of a global pandemic. To do that when the travel industry was at one of the lowest points in its history took vision, courage and a remarkable determination.
What has been your experience as a woman in the industry?
In my professional life I have always felt surrounded and empowered by women. I think the travel industry, in comparison to other sectors, is lucky to have so many women occupying top jobs, as well as owning and managing their own businesses. The message that sends is that progressive pathways are available for women in our industry.
I have felt encouraged and supported by everyone around me at each stage of my career. In response I’ve worked hard and brought genuine passion to my roles – I think in our industry, those two elements have always been the key to finding success and fulfilment. I’m also aware, however, that I’ve been fortunate to be reaching a point in my professional and personal lives when flexibility is possible and companies accept that if they want to retain talent, they have to help people achieve a work/life balance.
What role do you think networking plays in advancing women’s careers in the travel industry?
Networking can be such hard work – it’s daunting walking into a room not knowing anyone. But networking can also be fun – it opens your eyes to so many opportunities, helps you make great friends, and it can definitely make your professional life easier.
What strategies have you used to advocate for yourself and your ideas in the workplace, and how have they worked for you?
If I am told no, I’ll try to repackage the idea/question until I get the answer I’m looking for.
Quick-fire questions:
Who do you text the most?
My husband, but mostly asking him to pick up things (milk, bread, chocolate…)
What’s your favourite word in another language?
BULA! I grew up in Fiji so it was one of the first international words that I knew, you can’t help but smile when you say it!
What were you afraid of as a child?
Headless barbies! (Blame my older sisters!!)
