Startup Story
Whether planning a business trip or a vacation, it always pays to have a specialist travel planner to help organize the ultimate experience. In South Africa, Claudia Phantshi, founder of Pathfinder Travel Consultancy, is doing just that.
LoA chatted to Claudia this month to find out more about this fascinating business.
What does your company do?
Pathfinder Travel Consultancy is a travel planning company (definitely not a travel agency).
We specialize in building unique travel itineraries based on the client’s budget, interests and preferences. We pay a lot of attention in the client’s needs and put together an itinerary that will ensure that they have the best experiences. We then make all the bookings, from flights, accommodation to ground transport, including organizing tours. We also give clients recommendations and advise on their destinations.
“Being an avid story teller and traveller that I am, it is my belief that the best stories are born from the journeys we take.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I am a creative storyteller, whether in terms of writing, singing or performing...I'm moved by stories and very passionate about the arts and communities. Having worked in corporate for many years, in a job that was neither stretched my creative muscles nor made me feel like I was giving something back, I wanted to quit desperately. After a month's holiday in Italy (which I needed to dream...best way to dream is by going away), I came back and decided that this is what I wanted to do. Having always planned my own trips and friends and family's itineraries, it made sense for me to start a travel company. It's something I'm passionate about and I love interacting with people. The other part to it goes back to storytelling and communities. I wanted to help people to have the best time and come back with stories to tell. Have people engage with those of other cultures, learn and share with them and be part of their communities...even if for a short time.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We offer a very personalized service, where planning and bookings are done with the client and their interests in mind.
“At Pathfinder we are not agents, we are planners. Driven by sharing and creating stories, it is our goal to build you an itinerary that will shape your great travel experiences.”
Tell us a little about your team
I'm the main team member at the moment, in charge of everything. This is great because I'm very passionate about, not only what I do but the service I offer to my clients and the care taken when planning and booking their trips. The turnaround time is very important to me and ensuring that I deliver the best service a client can ever hope for is very important. This helps me identify how I can transfer my skills to future team members to ensure that they also appreciate the value of service.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
It has been a very interesting and fulfilling journey. Starting a business from scratch with nothing but passion and determination has been humbling, especially seeing how both the business and myself have grown. I've had a few sleepless nights and tears along the way, but I'm always reminding myself to celebrate the little achievements.
I don't come from an entrepreneurial background and the truth is I never dreamed of running my own business. I've always had a business mind and often pushed for my family to do things on their own, giving them ideas of what they could do.
When the realization of starting Pathfinder Travel Consultancy came along, I went with it and made the decision!
“We believe in being a global community and the best way to achieve that, is by travelling to share and experience not only our world, but our diverse global cultures, cuisines, and of course, wildlife too.”
“Our planning of your travels will be shaped by what you want to experience, and the best places and activities we can find for you!”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I plan to continue offering the best service, irrespective of the client's budget. The goal is to always ensure that the clients get the best quality service and for Pathfinder Travel Consultancy to be the trusted travel company that people will feel confident to come to for their travel needs. By September 2020, the goal is to have a few team members who are passionate and will help in ensuring that our clients are satisfied with what we have to offer.
I will be working with villagers too and encouraging our clients to book a stay in a village and experience authentic African tribal cultures and way of life, which will also help generate income for villagers.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Waking up to plan people's trips and picturing their joy when they arrive at their destination (be it locally or internationally) and knowing that I've been of service to someone for something personal to them and that my business is part of their story...that gives me joy.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Make sure that whatever you choose to do, is in line with who you are and see how it can best serve you. Your business should be about people, if you get that right...they will bring in the money.
Contact or follow Pathfinder Travel Consultancy
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL info@pathfindertravels.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
At Lionesses of Africa, we know all about the experience of travelling around the African continent, as we do it each and every week. So we also know how important it is to have experts to assist in ensuring that every journey is planned to the last detail. In South Africa, Claudia is creating a highly personalized service for her clients that responds to their individual needs and interests, and her individual attention to detail combined with her wish to create truly memorable experiences is what keeps her clients coming back each time. Claudia is a great example of an entrepreneur finding a niche in the market and making it her own. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa