Five Minutes With… Lizzie Adamson-Brown of Designer Travel

Lizzie Adamson-Brown is a luxury travel expert with more than 25 years in the industry. Here, Lizzie gives us an insight into her business and shares some words of advice for other budding women entrepreneurs on the island.

Tell us a bit about your business and what you do…

I’m a luxury travel expert with 25 years in the industry, and my business is all about creating tailor-made, unforgettable travel experiences. Whether it’s a relaxing wellness retreat, an action-packed adventure, or a luxurious beach escape, I help people design the perfect getaway that suits their unique needs and desires.

I work closely with a carefully selected group of luxury hotels, resorts, and wellness retreats, offering my clients access to exclusive deals and experiences you won’t find online. My aim? To take the stress out of holiday planning and make every trip as seamless, enjoyable, and memorable as possible.

From family holidays to corporate retreats and wellness journeys, I’m all about designing travel that’s personal and special. I love what I do and thrive on helping people create the kind of holidays that leave them feeling recharged, inspired, and ready for their next adventure! 

How did you come to be running your own business?

My journey to running my own business has definitely been an adventure! Back in the late ’80s and ’90s, I was a teacher of business and economics in Lancashire, teaching GCSE and A-levels for over 12 years. But then, in 2000, I had a massive health scare that made me stop and think: “What do I really want out of life?”

One thing I’ve always loved is travel. From childhood, I was fascinated by the world—cultures, places, people. My bedside lamp was even a giant globe, and I’d spend hours plotting where I’d go next. I decided to take a leap of faith and started out as a flight-only salesperson. Pretty soon, I was promoted, and before I knew it, I was setting up a call centre in Newcastle, managing the customer service team.

But when the company wanted to move me again, I realised it was time to follow my true passion—travel. So in February 2014, I took the plunge and set up my own business. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been the best decision ever. As they say, when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work!

What would you say to other women on the island who are considering making the leap into working for themselves?

To all the amazing women on the island thinking about jumping into business for themselves, I’d say: go for it—but just make sure you’ve done your homework first! Start with some solid market research. Is there a gap you can fill with your unique skills? If you’ve spotted it, you’re already ahead of the game!

And here’s the biggie: Make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. I always talk about Ikigai—a Japanese word that combines “life” and “value.” It’s about finding your purpose, the thing that makes you leap out of bed with a grin every day. When you’re doing what you love, it’s like magic. A life that feels meaningful, joyful, and full of energy? Who wouldn’t want that?

Join the Isle of Man Women’s Collective—it’s a fab, supportive group of like-minded women. There are brilliant events, and it’s a perfect place to connect, chat, and bounce ideas. Whether you’re starting out or already established, we all learn from each other.

Coming from the UK, I’ve noticed that here in the Isle of Man, it’s all about getting your name out there. Get known, get visible, and watch the opportunities come flooding in! And don’t think just because you’re new, you’re only there to ask for advice. You’ll be amazed how much your fresh perspective can help established businesses. The more we share, the more we all thrive.

So, get stuck in, make those connections, and enjoy the ride! Starting your own business is a journey, and it’s all about those little wins along the way. It might not always be easy, but trust me, it’s so worth it. You’ve got this!

What's been the highlight of your business journey?

Oh, where do I even start? There have been so many highlights on my journey! My first booking was a big one, and then getting that first referral—it’s such a great feeling when clients trust you enough to recommend you to others. And let’s not forget my first glowing review—that definitely made me do a happy dance!

Of course, there’s also the milestone of breaking even and then moving into the world of profits—always a big moment for any business. Along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few awards for things like sales, customer service, and just going the extra mile. All of that recognition is wonderful, but honestly, the real highlight for me has been the freedom of being my own boss.

Being able to mix with like-minded women in business has been such a huge part of it too. And the cherry on top? The flexibility. I love being able to work at times that suit both my clients and me. It’s honestly a game changer!

And let’s not forget the move to the Isle of Man almost three years ago—that was definitely one of my best decisions. It’s been a fantastic journey, and I feel so fortunate for where I am now.

Can you share any insights into a challenge you've overcome in your business?

Without a doubt, COVID was the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my business—just like so many others. As a travel consultant, I only get paid when someone actually travels, so when the world locked down, there was no income. It was tough, to say the least.

On top of that, I made it my priority to ensure every single client received a full and timely refund on their cancellations. I felt it was important to go the extra mile and make sure they were taken care of. During that time, I also kept in touch with clients, not just about their bookings, but to check in on their wellbeing.

I also pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started a podcast during COVID, focusing on how travel can be such a positive force for mental health. Speaking to suppliers from all over the world about why we should visit their countries was so much fun, and to my surprise, the podcast even hit the top 10 in the UK! That was a real moment of ‘wow!’ for me.

Looking after my clients throughout that period definitely paid off in the long run, but honestly, that wasn’t the reason I did it. I just wanted to keep the connection going. After COVID, my business actually flourished more than ever, and it’s still growing now.

One of my big dreams now is to give a couple of young, passionate people a start in this amazing industry. It would be incredible to help them build their careers, just like I did!

Find out more about Designer Travel at: https://designertravel.co.uk/lizzieadamsonbrown and contact Lizzie via lizzieab@designertravel.co.uk or by calling 03330 1270 630