NEW DIRECTIONS: OUR TRAVEL IDEAS TOOK OFF!
THREE WOMEN REVEAL HOW THEY TURNED THEIR PASSION INTO A THRIVING BUSINESS
‘We offer unique home stays in inspirational and iconic properties’
SARAH STANLEY, 53, HAS THREE ADULT CHILDREN AND LIVES WITH HER PARTNER IN CORNWALL. SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF UNIQUE HOME STAYS, A PRIVATE PROPERTY LUXURY HOLIDAY RENTAL SERVICE.
THE IDEA
I GREW UP ON A FARM AND MY PARENTS WERE VERY BIG ON HOSPITALITY SO BEING A HOST WAS ALWAYS VERY NATURAL FOR ME. I DID LOTS OF TRAVELLING IN MY TWENTIES AND BECAME A CHEF. I MARRIED IN AUSTRALIA AND MY CHILDREN WERE BORN THERE BUT MY MARRIAGE ENDED AND I CAME BACK TO THE UK WITH THE CHILDREN. I NEEDED TO EARN A LIVING, SO I DID SOME FREELANCE CATERING. I NOTICED AN ADVERT IN THE LOCAL PAPER ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO HOST STUDENTS. I WAS MILES FROM ANY COLLEGES, SO THAT WOULDN’T WORK, BUT I STARTED TO THINK ABOUT WHO WOULD APPRECIATE CORNISH HOSPITALITY IN GORGEOUS PRIVATE HOMES. I PUT A
LITTLE AD IN THE PAPER ASKING IF HOME OWNERS WITH UNIQUE HOMES WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HOSTING OVERSEAS GUESTS WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH INSTEAD OF THE GUESTS STAYING IN A HOTEL. AND THAT WAS IT, MY LITTLE BUSINESS WAS BORN, FROM MY SIMPLE AD IN THE NEWSPAPER, WHICH BROUGHT IN 30 ENQUIRIES FROM OWNERS WITH LOVELY PRIVATE HOMES INTERESTED IN HOSTING PAYING GUESTS. I WAS SO BUSY, I STARTED TO GET OTHER LOCAL PEOPLE ON BOARD, WHO OWNED LOVELY BIG PROPERTIES AND WANTED TO MAKE SOME CASH. I PUT ANOTHER AD IN THE LOCAL PAPER ASKING FOR HOSTS AND ABOUT 30 PEOPLE RESPONDED. I WAS
VERY DISCERNING. I WANTED PEOPLE WHO WERE NATURAL HOSTS, LOVED COOKING
AND HAD REALLY LOVELY HOMES. I CHOSE THREE PEOPLE IN THE BEGINNING AND SLOWLY BEGAN BUILDING UP A UNIQUE PORTFOLIO OF HOMES AND HOSTS.