This Thursday is our 9th birthday, and in honour of that, we decided to interview our Founder and Director Adele Blair, to find out more about what she’s learnt over the past almost decade in business and her plans for the future.
Q. Nine years in business is a big achievement. What do you think has been the strongest player in The Concierge Collective’s longevity?
A. According to the ABS, the personal services industry sector is one of the fastest growing in Australia. People want and need personal concierge services, but the industry is still very young in Australia. It is gaining momentum and I know that having a personal concierge is going to be as mainstream as having a personal trainer. If anyone ever gets me talking about concierge services they will find it hard to shut me up – I am very passionate about the industry and the positive impact it has on the lives of our clients. Over the years, our team has been our strongest asset, they just love being the ‘problem solver’ – everyone wins. I’ve always had a ‘never give up’ attitude and a strong belief in that I was doing!
Q. To date, what has been your proudest moment in business?
A. I think being a finalist in the Queensland Telstra Business Women of the Year Awards in 2011, in the same year we commenced our first major front desk concierge project with Mirvac. Both were stand out ‘pinch myself’ moments.
Q. What is your favourite thing about TCC and the career you’ve created for yourself?
A. So much to love! I love that we get to make people happy every day. We can solve those niggling problems or those really tough ones, like ‘find me just one more roll of that discontinued wallpaper’. I love coming to work every day and I have pretty much for the whole 9 years – yes there are most certainly days that are challenging but I have the opportunity to learn and to make things better for our business and for our clients. We have a rule in our office that is if we are presented with a challenge, we must always look for the ‘silver lining’. We won’t move forward until we have found it and put the results into action. I love the amazing and talented people I get to work with, I’m always inspired by the people around me.
Some vintage Blair Lifestyle from the archives.
Q. How do you de-stress, and what do you do in your ‘down-time’?
A. I run! I love being outside in the fresh air. I also love to cook, it’s a perfect combination really – running makes space for more good cooking – am I right!? I am not very good at sitting still, I have to be doing something all the time, so I have to find an activity that relaxes my mind, even if it doesn’t relax my body. I am an excellent sleeper!
Q. What are your key tips for managing work and life, to create that elusive ‘balance’?
A. I always make time for my biggest supporter, my partner Anthony. He always helps me re-focus and insists that I rest, #keeper. As an entrepreneur it is hard to remind yourself that work isn’t everything, people are – so I make sure I organise fun activities with friends on the weekend. I keep my work hours between 7am and 5pm if I possibly can, because I’m a definite morning person, and try to be as productive and focused during that time as possible. I also try to avoid weekend work if I can. I put my devices on a side table (beyond arms’ reach of the sofa) to recharge when I get home and don’t look at them. All work and no play makes Adele a dull girl!
Q. What does the future hold for TCC?
A. I am looking forward to a day when people are actively seeking a personal concierge service, the ‘education’ part is over and the service is mainstream. I see TCC as being a significant player in this space, not only providing personal concierge, but corporate and commercial as well. TCC will be the provider of choice for those wanting the most outstanding concierge service. In order to ensure industry standards, I co-founded the Institute of Concierge Services in Australia and New Zealand, and we have co-authored the world’s first accredited Diploma of Personal Concierge services. So not only do we know everything about concierge, we wrote the book on it – literally! I look forward to growing my team nationally and potentially internationally and to see how far we can go; why set a limit!?
Read more about Adele here.