Stuart Lyall, an airline industry professional and travel enthusiast, has achieved the kind of balance between work and recreation that so many strive for but are unable to attain. This is because of Stuart’s longstanding personal values, which include ensuring that there is plenty of time to explore exotic locales that tend to be far from the beaten path. Growing up in Australia, Stuart benefited from a family that encouraged individuality and frequently ventured out on extended trips abroad. As a result, Stuart has long known the importance of striking a balance between his professional and personal life, and he has fashioned his career with this understanding keenly in mind.
A longtime veteran of the travel industry, Stuart has been involved in planning trips to all kinds of locations across the globe. His expertise is frequently sought after, as Stuart is so intimately familiar with just about every travel destination imaginable that he is often regarded as something of a human travel encyclopedia. Though he specializes in remote locations and places featuring unique cultures, Stuart develops individualized travel plans based on the desired experience as expressed by the traveler. This attention to detail and personalized approach has endeared him to many travelers who have benefitted from his expert advice and assistance.
While Stuart continues to assist travelers of varying experience levels as they plan their trips, he has recently shifted his professional focus to the airline industry. While his schedule can sometimes be demanding, Stuart’s work in the airline industry has allowed him to continue to pursue his passion for travel and to continue to explore destinations that he has somehow not yet experienced. A highly regarded professional, Stuart’s work has been praised for its consistent quality and its attentiveness to even the smallest of details.
1. What was your best/favorite subject in school?
I was enthralled with anthropology right from the first day, and I believe that is part of the reason I so thoroughly enjoy traveling and exploring new places.
2. What was your first job?
I did some odd jobs here and there as a youth, but my first professional opportunity was in the travel industry.
3. Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I sought out opportunities that would allow me to continue to travel, and the airline industry certainly provides that opportunity.
4. How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Having worked in various capacities within the industry, I have a deep understanding of how everything functions as a whole. That has given me a deeper appreciation for all the hard work that is done in this highly coordinated field.
5. Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
There are always those days where work doesn’t really feel like work at all, and those are the days I enjoy the most.
6. How do you keep yourself motivated?
My goal is to see as much of the world as possible, and the only way to do that is to continue to balance my work responsibilities with my personal travel goals.
7. What kind of business ideas excite you most?
Any idea that makes work seem less like work excites me a great deal, but I have found that an enjoyable work environment is as much about the people as it is about the work.
8. Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
I’m a storyteller, and I have found that one of the best ways to attract attention is to tell a great story that is relevant to the business.
9. What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Building a business that is successful but still allows me to explore the world outside as often as I like.
10. What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
When you surround yourself with great people, you do not need to be constantly looking over their shoulder. Trust them to do great work and go back to focusing on the big picture.