Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sue Rudolph. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sue, thanks for joining us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

When I first started my business, I did not really have a focus. I kept hearing that to be successful in travel, you need to have niche. I could not figure out what that niche should be. I have always been a long-distance runner and belong to multiple running clubs. The president suggested I organize a trip to an International Marathon. So I i put together a package to the Florence Marathon and ended up with 40 people going. After a few successful trips for my running clubs, I decided to open up a subdivision to my company Amazing Running Tours and market to runners nationally. I now sell running, cycling and hiking tours. I also organize my own marathon in Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Marathon which I sell as a complete travel package and donate some of the money to the Kenya Wildlife Trust to help endangered wildlife which I am very passionate about. About half my business is active travel and it is great to be able to sell what I am passionate about.

Sue, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was a software engineer prior to getting into travel working in aerospace. In 1994, I lost my job and the job market for engineers was not good. I met someone that owned a travel agency, and she asked me if I wanted to do some outside sales, so I started doing it until the job market got better. I found I really loved working for myself and enjoyed researching and learning about other countries. After a few months, I started to open up my own travel agency. At the time, I knew nothing about running a business or sales and marketing. I started taking all kinds of classes and became a Certified Travel Counselor. Slowly my business started to grow.

I help travelers experience a destination not just see it.
I create custom itineraries for individuals and group to Australia, New Zealand, Africa and other exotic locations where you meet the locals, immerse yourself in the culture and get up close to nature and wildlife. I take all the stress out of planning a vacation. The other side of my business is active adventures – running, cycling and hiking tours. For each of my trips, I do extensive research and tailor my trips to my clients. For the active side of my business, the one thing that sets me apart from my competitors is that not only to have years of experience a long-distance runner, cyclist and hiker, I also have years of experience in the travel industry.
The think that I am most proud of is organizing the Kenya Wildlife Marathon which is a week-long event and sold as complete travel package. I am very passionate about wildlife conservation and with this event, I am able to donate some of the profits to help endangered wildlife.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic I definitely had to pivot.

My business has been primarily international travel and with the borders closed, there was nothing I could do.

I started focusing on travel within the US. I also started virtual vacations which was a huge success. Every week I would feature a different destination. Although, I wasn’t making money, I grew my email list.

Now that the pandemic is over, I am able to market to those that signed up for my webinars and I have gained quite a few new clients.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy has been networking in person and virtually.

When I first started my business, the internet was new. I joined a number of networking organizations and started going to meetings and building relationships with people. Now I network not only in person but also online. For the active side of my business, since I am a runner and cyclists, I have lots of connections. I belong to several running groups both online and in person.

Although I do Facebook advertising, I find that networking and connecting with people one on one is the most effective way to grew.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amazingtravel.com https://amazingrunningtours.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/absolutely.amazing.travel https://instagram.com/amazing.running.tours
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbsolutelyAmazingTravel https://www.facebook.com/amazingrunningtours
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suerudolph1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/amazingtravel1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7W9Es_mqzYaV3y9Po0MgA
• Other: https://www.alignable.com/huntington-beach-ca/absolutely-amazing-travel