It’s Fun To Turn Passion Into Profit- Zaynab Mohammed

Zaynab Mohammed is the CEO/MD of Zaynab Travel and Tourism Ltd., a successful travel agency in Abuja. She takes TMG into the world of travel and tour business and advises the youths to be honest, transparent, humble, patient and sincere in life and know that success comes with struggles and challenges. 

TMG>Tell us about your background and why you decided to go into the travel agency business>

Zaynab> I was born into the family of Alh. J. Y. Mohammad and Hajiya Abu Aliyu both from Bida Local Government Area of Niger State. I started my early education in Ilorin, Kwara State then proceeded to Makurdi, Benue State and later, Bida and Minna in Niger State. I have a Diploma in Law from Justice Fati Lami Abubakar College of Legal & General Studies, Minna and a Diploma in Ticketing& Travel Agency Mgt from the College of Aviation and Mgt Studies, Lagos. I also obtained an Amadeus GDS Training Certificate and SABRE GDS Training Certificate.

Travel, tourism And hospitality combined are a passion I derived from my early years through my father, who is also a lover of travel and tourism. I’m someone who loves to explore. I have travelled to the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and a few countries overseas. I'm on a project presently of exploring Africa and Europe. 

Finding myself running a Travel and Tour business is out of passion of knowing places, people, learning cultures, adventures and more. It is fun to turn passion into profit. I love what I do and do what I love.

TMG> Tell us more about your business and how you manage it?

Zaynab: Tourism industry is broad and entails ideas and creativity. There is a huge market for Travel if you discover the niche that you can excel in. The industry provides valuable travel solutions to travelers and tour enthusiasts anywhere they may find themselves be it information on itinerary, Foreign Exchange rates, climate and weather, security, investments, education, flight schedules and more.

Coping with my business is ultimate; I do research online in order to learn new things. I read news and I ask questions on travel industry as change is inevitable.

TMG> Which area do you need to improve in your company?

                                                   

Zaynab: My company is doing great in the industry, although as the saying goes, “One never gets easily satisfied”. I am looking at expanding and improving my scope, for example, proactive and deliver beyond expectation, team work, credibility and customer satisfaction is paramount in the travel agency services.

TMG> What do you feel is the next step in developing your skills?

Zaynab: Collaborations, partnership, consultations and acquiring more knowledge in the industry assist in development and growth of the organization.

TMG> What are the challenges you have faced in starting the company and challenges you are facing now?

Zaynab: Starting a business in Nigeria is easy but formalizing it is not. It takes a whole lot of effort to get the right avenue to formalize the business and register it with government agencies because it is easy to fall prey to fraudsters in the beginning. Prospective clients work and trust registered businesses more. Covid-19 outbreak is a huge challenge and setback in the travel industry;the pandemic has made us realize how important our health and societies are. We are renewing, re-engaging and restarting tourism after the Covid-19 recovery. This has also encouraged us to observe the Covid-19 protocols and take care of our health. 

TMG> What style of management do you think works in becoming successful at your kind of business?

Zaynab: Create a brand statement by knowing your area of specialization let your customer know you for a particular brand. 

TMG> Tell us about a successful marketing pitch you have used for  difficult client. How were you able to convince him/her?

Zaynab: Customer satisfaction should be at the heart of any business. Customers look for some common things in any product and services. They are quality, value for money, availability, excellent service, fast supply, fast and courteous complain system, contact and Information.

TMG> Tell us how you manage other responsibilities of your business? 

Zaynab: As the CEO/MD of the company, I work with others as a team and oversee all other tasks assigned to any team worker.

Being knowledgeable about the business is paramount to me. I give support and assistance when needed.

TMG> Have you ever lost during sales and what did you learn?

Zaynab: Profit/loss is one of the factors in sales; we manage sales with optimal strategy and ensure loss is minimized to the barest level. I learn in loss and restrategize for future. 

TMG: How do you keep up to date on your target market?

Zaynab: I use the acronym “SMART” for my target market.

S- Specific

M-Measurable

A-Attainable

R-Realistic 

T-Timely 

TMG> When do you stop pursuing a client?

Zaynab: That is when a client is happy and satisfied with our services and refer other customers to us. 

TMG> Who are you comfortable marketing to and Why?

Zaynab: We market to everyone interested in traveling and vacation.  Business personnel are always on transit so we focus more on them.

TMG> What motivates You?

Zaynab: When a market target is being achieved, we are motivated to push harder. “Happy customer, Happy team-worker”, that is our motto.

TMG> What is your career aspiration?

Zaynab: I aspire to have more branches in Abuja, other states and overseas. My company is working on a project – “Tourism and Hospitality Summit” in May 2022. It is going to be educative, informative and enlightening. Watch Out!!

TMG> How do you keep a smile on your face during a hard day’s work to make sure your client feels good?

Zaynab: Positive perception is very important; always smiling and being positive at work gives confidence to your customer/client. I try to always wear a smile.

TMG: What way do you think your organization could do better?

Zaynab: Consistency is key in building a stronger organization. We are always pushing our brand, expecting less and giving more.

TMG: What is your approach in handling customer objection?

Zaynab: The customer is always right; any objection or complaint from a client makes me work harder.

TMG> What kind of sacrifice have you had to make to be successful?

Zaynab: Success comes with struggles and challenges. Sometimes my family pays the price though I try as much as I can to break even.

TMG> Tell us about the greatest goal that you have ever accomplished professionally?

Zaynab: Successful collaboration with my team overseas in a vacation or holiday tour for clients gives me fulfilment. Alhamdulilah all the way.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn and improve upon?

Zaynab: I am willing to acquire more GDS providers and run them concurrently in my company.

TMG> How do you manage risks?

Zaynab: Calculated risk is good in Business; preparing a financial statement and forecast guarantees success and provides a guide on how to conduct the business. Plan of contingencies to cover things like lack of sales, over demand, no demand, increased competition, operational or managerial problems, etc.

TMG> What is your advice to young 0eople who want to go into a business like yours?

Zaynab: Travel And Tour industry is broad, lucrative and rich. Consistency is key in the business. I would advise young aspiring people to be honest, transparent, humble, patient and sincere and know that success comes with struggles and challenges. Read news, do some research, travel and network. Your Network determines Your Networth. Thank You!

Regards

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