Riddle me this… Nena Chaletzos
Riddle gets up close and personal with CEO and founder of Luxtripper, the innovative holiday search website helps unsure travellers book perfectly matched 4 and 5 star holidays worldwide
If you knew then what you know now… would you still do it..?
Yes, absolutely! I would still launch my holiday search website Luxtripper despite the long hours and the challenges you face when you’re a startup company because we’ve seen such amazing success and are helping change a traditional market for the better. My goal was to save time for millions of passionate travellers searching for relevant travel options and that’s what we are doing. On average a traveller spends approximately 30 hours browsing 22 different travel related sites before booking a holiday. Our global patent pending ‘Where To Go When©’ search technology gives people a personalised list of 4 and 5 star holidays in 3 seconds.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Surround yourself with great people. They could be your team, your investors and advisors, as they can help you learn, push yourself further and see things from a different perspective. Positive people are there to support you, believe in your dreams and help you fulfil them.
What’s the weirdest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?
This is a tricky one, but perhaps people think I’m a crazy cat girl, which I’d actually love to be and spend more time with my two maine coon cats; Wallace and Whitney but unfortunately I just don’t have the time.
What was your biggest break?
Very early on in starting my business we were shortlisted as one of the best online travel sites to help people plan and book their trips at the World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry. At the time, the business was just me, I was working from my parent’s kitchen table and I had written the algorithm for the site. Getting that recognition at that early stage was a huge achievement and a great opportunity to develop the business further.
Do you consider yourself lucky?
Yes, in my time of need something always turns up. Maybe it’s luck or just having a really positive outlook as I always try to make the best of a situation.
What’s most important in your life?
My husband and my family are the most important things in my life. In terms of my approach to life, the most important thing is to always try and do the right thing for the right reasons. I believe that being a good person is very important for you and those around you to have a happy life.
What brands do you admire?
I really admire Uber and Amazon because of the changes they have made to our lives. Uber has changed the way I travel as well as my work/life balance as the ease that its service creates means it encourages me to go out and do more despite the fact I’m working long hours. Amazon is a great marketplace that is so convenient and I use it for so many things. I think it’s a huge achievement that they are really offering a one-click service.
Do you have a guilty pleasure – if so what is it?
I love dark chocolate and it’s definitely at the top of my guilty pleasures list!
Describe your own personal sense of style?
I like to combine classic style with more edgy influences such as a tailored blazer over a deconstructed dress and work boots. 