From dropout to tourism magnate

A businesswoman based in Picton credits a good work ethic, a nose for new ideas, and keeping staff happy as key to a successful business career.

Escape to Picton owner Juliearna Kavanagh has reflected on her journey from high school dropout to tourism magnate ahead of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

She has been nominated for Business Person of the Year, just weeks after her boutique Picton hotel won Best Hotel at the Hospitality NZ Awards for Excellence 2018.

Kavanagh said it was ‘‘wonderful to be recognised in any way’’ and the nomination came at a ‘‘crazy time’’ of year as cruise ship season got under way.

‘‘There’s lots of good things happening at the moment so I’m really, really happy,’’ Kavanagh said.

Originally from Gore, Kavanagh dropped out of school at the age of 14, as she struggled with dyslexia.

She worked at a cafe for three years before opening a nightclub at the age of 18, the first of a string of companies.

‘‘You’ve really got to work hard and be determined. Having a solid work ethic is the first thing you need.

‘‘It can be a great lifestyle ... but it’s more of a style than a life,’’ Kavanagh said.

She bought and renovated the historic Escape to Picton building in 2007, opening it as a threebedroom boutique hotel with a restaurant.

‘‘And from there, you need to have some key people in your staff, and you need to look after them and treat them well. I’ve got staff that have worked for me for years and years, and that makes life a lot easier.’’

The couple later bought nearby B&B The Gables, and launched tour company Escape to Marlborough, and Hop-onHop-off tours across the region.

But with success comes negative reviewers, Kavanagh said, referring to the publicity that surrounded her responses to negative reviews of Escape to Picton on website TripAdvisor in 2016.

‘‘You don’t need to be right all the time. If 95 per cent of your balls are in the air, and 95 per cent of people are happy, you’re doing well,’’ Kavanagh said.

‘‘And also, stand your ground. What’s that saying? Pick your battles.

‘‘You’re not there to win the battles, you’re there to win the war. Don’t sweat the small stuff.’’

DAVID JAMES Escape to Picton owner Juliearna Kavanagh has been nominated for the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce business awards.