Meet Trish Jean Clowes
Meet Trish, a dedicated travel business owner whose journey has been shaped by resilience, family and a genuine love for helping people explore the world. After returning home to Bundaberg and rebuilding her business following the pandemic, Patricia continues to support her clients with personalised service, strong industry knowledge and a deep commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences.
“The most useful part was of Many Rivers support was having someone to guide me, reassure me and give me practical direction. Running your own business can feel overwhelming at times, and it helped to have someone experienced to talk things through with. Lisa’s support helped me feel grounded and more focused on the steps I needed to take.” – Trish Clowes
Read more about Trish’s business journey so far:
Trish’s business
I am a home-based, mobile travel agent in partnership with Travel Managers, which operates under the umbrella of House of Travel. Travel Managers have established themselves as the most experienced travel network in Australia, with an average of 20 years’ experience.
Even though I run my own small business, I have the support of Travel Managers National Partnership Office in Sydney which consists of marketing, finance, next-gen, supplier relations and fares & ticketing. This means they can support me with backend work so I can focus on what I love, which is creating customised travel experiences for clients.
I assist my valued clients with everything including domestic and international travel, rail, coach, cruises, tours, golf holidays, retreats, international weddings, travel insurance, visas and almost anything related to travel. I am passionate about travel and love being part of my clients’ journeys. Each holiday is unique and tells a story that I get to be part of creating. Travel Managers has given me the opportunity to invest valuable time in my clients and understand their unique needs so I can build solid lifelong relationships with them. I provide the highest standard of service taking the time to effectively qualify and manage my clients’ queries, personally and professionally providing the most up to date and accurate travel advice.
Before starting my own business, I worked in a traditional bricks and mortar travel agency. I was the Assistant Manager and was being trained to take over a team of about twelve staff. During this time, the company had a huge shift, which meant changing my contract to seven-day trade, and working three full weekends a month. At this time, my daughter was about to start school in a few months, so I was carrying mum guilt, having missed many key moments with her. I realised that something had to change and that I needed flexibility for my daughter. That is when I started seriously considering running my own business.
Working with Many Rivers
I found out about Many Rivers at an event in Queensland. There were several representatives from different Indigenous business groups there, and although Lisa from Many Rivers was away at the time, her colleague referred me to her.
Lisa, has been my business coach for over 2 years now and she has supported me with business guidance and planning. She helped me look at areas of my business where I could improve, organise and structure things in a better way, and think about new ways to grow. Her support definitely helped me gain confidence and clarity.
The most useful part was having someone to guide me, reassure me and give me practical direction. Running your own business can feel overwhelming at times, and it helped to have someone experienced to talk things through with. Lisa’s support helped me feel grounded and more focused on the steps I needed to take.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
No, I didn’t get a loan from Many Rivers.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge I have ever faced in business was COVID. At the time I was living in Victoria, and to be a travel business owner during a period when the entire world shut down when travel simply did not exist was overwhelming. Not one of my clients lost a single cent during COVID, and that is something I am extremely proud of, especially when so many businesses and people in the travel industry went under.
Many colleagues left the industry completely, not just travel agents but suppliers, sales reps and others. There were moments when there was absolutely no light at the end of the tunnel. I spent months cancelling and rebooking trips repeatedly, hoping borders would reopen in three or six months, but they never did.
That time made me slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. It changed the type of travel I sell, and it changed me as a person. I often say that if I can survive COVID and still be here today, then I can get through anything.
Biggest Success
My biggest success is not only that I’m still here after everything, but that I’ve been able to rebuild my business stronger than before.
After the pandemic, I relocated back home to Bundaberg in Queensland, which meant starting again and rebuilding my client base. Surprisingly, my business in Victoria grew even after I left. My clients there appreciated that I was always just a phone call or email away and they continued to refer me to their family and friends
Biggest Change
One of the biggest changes for me was gaining the flexibility to be present in my daughter’s life. I could put my phone on silent during important school events, be fully present for her, and then return calls later. My clients always understood because they knew I would get back to them as soon as I was available. That balance has meant everything to me.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, I want to start delegating and outsourcing more tasks, especially marketing and some of the administrative work, to free up more of my time.
My daughter finishes high school at the end of next year, and once she spreads her wings, I hope to travel more myself. I can take my laptop anywhere in the world and work remotely, but I have always said no to travel opportunities because I didn’t want to miss being here for her. As much as it makes me nervous knowing she’ll soon be off on her own, I also feel it’s finally my time to fill my own cup, and that means doing what I love, travelling.
Thank you Trish for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Trish’s small business, follow “Travel Managers” through the following links:
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