On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sandy Borowsky, Owner of Starr Bus Charter and Tours, about her journey in the tour industry as a third-generation owner and woman-owned business. She shares why technology is so important to running an efficient and profitable business and how working with competitors has led to business growth for everyone.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

How Sandy utilizes technology for efficiency and communication in her family-owned tour business
How Sandy navigated through the company’s down-trending group department and found fresh solutions post-COVID
Why Sandy believes that communication, honesty, and forthrightness are keys to successful partnerships
The role technology plays in helping Starr Bus Charter and Tours overcome challenges, including rising fuel costs
More about Sandy’s new business, College Break Bus, and how big things start from taking just one tiny step

Embracing Technology for Efficiency and Growth

I loved hearing Sandy Borowsky’s thoughts on using new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and accelerate business growth. We discuss her experiences with integrating technology and leveraging platforms like Slack to make communicating with her team simpler and quicker and why it’s so important to seek advice and recommendations from industry connections, vendors, and even competitors when weighing up which new tech tools and platforms to bring into your business.

Adapting to Industry Changes and Overcoming Challenges

As always, on the show, I’m interested to hear about the challenges faced by my guest experts in the travel industry. Sandy’s insights on the adaptability and creativity required to overcome challenges in the motor coach niche, including rising fuel prices, will be useful to many others. Her reflections on the 2008 recession and how it reshaped Starr’s approach to technology and efficiency are a useful lesson in how to learn from the past and remain agile in your business going forward—especially when times are tough.

Collaborative Partnerships and Efficient Business Practices

We dig into some of Sandy’s strategic collaborations with industry peers and how they demonstrate the importance of honest communication, trust, and embracing healthy competition as drivers for successful business relationships. Sandy shares her perspective on recognizing the value of collaboration with competitors and local companies and how they help build mutual growth and foster innovation within the travel industry.

Resources:

Website: https://www.starrtours.com/
LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-borowsky-61a89/
LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/starrtours/

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