Sunshine Coast Spotlight on Success Series with World Surfaris

WELCOME TO OUR SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS SERIES

with John Finlay from World Surfaris

In this series, we catch up with some Sunshine Coast businesses that were in some of our very first issues of Business Matters Magazine and find out what has happened for them over the last nine years.

For our first of the series, we sat down with one of the directors of World Surfaris, John Finlay, to find out more about their local Sunshine Coast business with massive worldwide success.

World Surfaris is a unique business, it is the premier surf tourism company in Australia - maybe the world!

They are the recognised industry leader and have established an enviable reputation for innovation, reliability, integrity and outstanding service. World Surfaris still hand picks their unique surf adventures, and are only prepared to represent operators and destinations that offer the best qualities for their clients.

Like many entrepreneurs, the company founder, Shaun Levings had a vision that would allow him to combine two of his greatest passions – surfing and travel - and pursue them as an income producing initiative. He knew that there were many magnificent overseas surfing destinations that Australian surfers would enjoy. World Surfaris was initially founded as a division of another travel agency, until the Levings were granted their own travel agency licence (the travel agency licensing system was abolished by the government as of 1 July 2014).

BM asked WS, “What’s changed in the last 10 years for World Surfaris?” From humble beginnings representing just one boat in the Maldives and operating from a home office, World Surfaris has grown to occupy two offices (Head Office in Mooloolaba and an office within KirraSurf on the Gold Coast), employ the equivalent of 12 full time staff including two working Directors and represent boats and resorts throughout the world.

In early 2014, the Levings sold 50 per cent of the business to John Finlay. The new partnership has proven to be very effective and their complementary skills have allowed Shaun to concentrate on marketing, with John looking after the finance and administration. “How has business in general changed over the last 10 years?” Probably the most dramatic change has been the impact of the digital age. Let’s remember that it was only 10 years ago that Facebook first launched. World Surfaris completed its previous website in 2007 and by the standards of that day, was quite advanced with a ‘Surfari Suggestor’ feature and an image gallery with a slideshow.

Fast forward to late 2013 and the website was looking very tired and outdated. It took many months of work to the website, finally going live with the new site in October 2014. It has wowed the industry with its slick videography and imagery, and user friendliness

www.worldsurfaris.com. Some destinations and boat trips are very popular and the super popular ones can tend to book out more than a year in advance. The e-commerce facility on our website allows a customer to secure their place at certain destinations by paying a small deposit. We asked John, “What plans do you have for the next 10 years?” From 1 July 2015, we will be offering a small handpicked range of snow trips. Our World SNOWfaris division will offer the same personal service to clients who are looking for an edgier and more exciting, wow factor in snow adventures. Starting with a small range in Japan, we will build on that over time. From 1st July, World Snowfaris website is live.

We are also about to launch a direct debit savings facility in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bank. This facility will allow clients to pay for a surf or snow trip in small weekly or monthly amounts, thereby avoiding the scramble to find sufficient funds just before they leave.

The facility will also allow a client to save for their trip without even having decided on the destination. As the client takes their time deciding exactly where they would like to go (and when, for that matter), if they have signed up for the direct debit facility, they will be quietly and effortlessly accumulating the funds to pay for the trip. It will be an outstanding facility that no one else in the industry currently offers, and another example of the industry leading, innovation that is World Surfaris. “What makes your customers choose you?” Our travel consultants offer outstanding personal service with expert product knowledge. They go on familiarisation tours so

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In addition, the logistics in arranging every aspect of overseas surf travel is complex. Some of the destinations are in quite remote areas, in which ad hoc travel can be arduous. We hear many horror stories of DIY surf travellers. Our expert travel consultants handle all the complexities of bookings with great care and attention to detail, so clients can relax. We truly believe the saying that ‘Without an experienced Travel Agent, you’re on your own’. We asked John for his top tips to someone just starting out? 1. Make sure you understand your cash flow, right from the start, cashflow is king. 2. Make sure you understand how you can differentiate your product, which you must do in this day and age. 3. Be prepared to live with it 24/7. 4. Value your partnerships, not just your partners in business, both within your own business, and the relationships you have with other enterprises. Make sure you always aim for win/win situations to assure everyone benefits.

So what’s John’s favourite surfing spot? John is definitely a Maldives fan - he loves the clear water and the islands. Having said that, he just returned from his first trip to Papua New Guinea which he says was amazing but he is still sticking with the Maldives as his all time favourite. e

www.worldsurfaris.com

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Sunshine Coast - Tell us what you want?

Business Matters invited 20 locals to share their ideas and thoughts of what they think might make a difference for the Sunshine Coast. What can Business Matters do, include, do differently in the magazine? Here is their input. We invite yours too, email us at admin@bmmag.com.au. Let us know, what do you love, what would you like to see more of?

Jasmine Sharpe – Business Matters Magazine Customer Service of the Month for Individuals, Teams and Owners

Sandra Olah – Ron Hill Autos and Transmissions Showcasing Random Acts of Kindness and Positive Customer Service Story

Monique Parker – Marketing Velocity Best Customer Service on the Coast each month. Customers vote for a wow experience or product they received and winner gets showcased.

Joanne Skinner – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Selfie Photo competition showcasing ‘Your favourite part of the Sunshine Coast’ Make advertising more subtle, varied content rather than themed.

Mark Skinner - Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Reward and Recognition of great customer service. Image Competition using Hashtags –

Melinda Bingley – MAB Personal Training and Adventures Start a hashtag #SCRAOK – Sunshine Coast Random Act of Kindness

Lisa Wain – Jerakala Beef Easy to share online articles and email per edition.

Tatiana Porter – Haycroft Workplace Solutions Read more about the people offering support to others in the community and business community here on the Sunshine Coast. (People Matter)

David Chamberlain – Express Print and Mail Twelve month case study on one to four business showcasing their triumphs, progress, challenges, performance, learnings, goals, future, modifications and adaptations.

Jakki Goodall – Inhale Recipes from local chefs.

Ben Amos – Innovate Media Launch a Business Matters Business Makeover Competition – story about our Sunshine Coast Business People coming together to workshop, support and help grow a deserving small local business. Ask the Expert Section

Min Swan – Whitehouse Celebrations Would love to read about international and national CEOs and leaders and their behind the scenes stories.

Claire Delune - Claire Delune Designs It’s important to study not just people’s business success but their learnings from business challenges, experiences and failings. As people in business we need to engage in as much knowledge as possible. By showcasing a business

business community can tap into more knowledge and resources to achieve their goals of health, wealth, happiness and success.

Zeke Rowland – Cottontree Backpackers The importance of mentors helping young business minds.

Jon Colley - Loan Wize Connect people with activities for past times to help them create a work/life balance.

John Pickering – Pickering Bookkeeping and Accounting Services Where are they now? ‘A History of Success on the Sunshine Coast’.

Michelle Hamer - Smart Advice Revisit the business from archives – Where are they now?

Many thanks to Lemon and Thyme for hosting this event. Lemon and Thyme is a vibrant restaurant located on the busy and picturesque Esplanade of Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast. Across from the ocean, the natural and modern vibe will revitalise your spirits and uplift your mood. Lemon and Thyme takes customary dishes to a new level with a focus on herbs to enhance cuisine. Your culinary experience will be all the more memorable as our passion for mouth-watering meals meets passion for quality produce, good health and vitality. The unassuming atmosphere, the experience of the team and the selection of choice will leave you confidently knowing Lemon and Thyme is the place to be when dining in Mooloolaba or seeking a modest, hassle free bar on the Sunshine Coast.

craft beer / cocktails & wine / tapas / quality produce / paleo alternatives / live entertainment / experienced operators

free tapas

June, July, August

Thursday & Friday Afternoons, 4pm – 5pm

with purchase of a cocktail, beer or wine (T&C’s apply)

Followed by $10 Tapas Hour, 5pm – 6pm ... and much much more! (T&C apply)

the esplanade, mooloolaba phone 5452 6939

www.lemonandthyme.com.au

Erin McTeigue from F45 Mooloolaba talks us through... Does lifting heavier weights make a female bulk up? Erin has spent a lot of time in gyms over the years and even owned one herself. When she walked into F45 Mooloolaba she knew it was like no other. It wasn’t just a gym but a place of positive transformation and change. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that! “When everyone has an opinion about changing body shape, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. As a personal trainer, one of the most common questions I am asked from females is ‘Will lifting weights make me bulky?’ Here are a few points that will hopefully clear up one of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness industry”.

Women lack the right balance of hormones to put on muscle mass the way men do Females produce a very small percentage of hormonal output (testosterone) in comparison to males, making it near impossible to bulk up the way men do. I believe a lot of what makes females feel bulky is their self-perception. When the body starts to harden and become more defined females can see this as bulking when in fact it is just different to what they are used to. Poor self-perception can be very damaging and it is extremely important to keep a healthy mindset while being well informed on the facts.

To get a smaller, leaner Muscle is smaller in size than fat figure you must perform When comparing the size of one kilo of muscle to one kilo higher repetitions of fat, you will find that the kilo of fat is significantly larger with lighter weights In my experience the body performs the best with variety. I think it’s more important to concentrate on fatiguing in size. In most cases, what gives women that bulky look is high amounts of body fat not muscle. I know I would rather have one kilo of smooth muscle taking up less space in my body than a lumpy gelatinous mass of fat. the muscle and mixing it up with different tempos than performing Muscle burns fat while at rest specific numbers of repetitions and Muscle requires more energy to function than fat sets. This not only keeps your body and therefore burns more calories each day while guessing, it alleviates boredom at rest. It’s a simple equation: the more muscle you and makes exercise more fun. have, the more calories you burn. Who doesn’t want to be chewing up calories while sitting on the couch? But first you’ve got to pick up those weights. Those TEAM TRAINING  LIFE CHANGING muscles aren’t going to sprout without a little effort. In conclusion ladies, if you want to get a lean, toned and fit looking physique then  GROUP FITNESS  FUNCTIONAL TRAINING incorporating weights and resistance training to your routine is only going to help you get to your goals faster.  H.I.I.T. SESSIONS  SESSION TYPES INCLUDE

STRENGTH, CARDIO,  GROUP FITNESS  FUNCTIONAL TRAINING TABATA and BOXING  H.I.I.T. SESSIONS  SESSION TYPES INCLUDE STRENGTH, CARDIO ,  UNLIMITED SESSION

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Maroochydore | Buderim | Mooloolaba Mountain Creek | Sippy Downs