Deidre Bounds
Founder of i-to-i travel
About Deidre
Deidre is founder of the extremely successful ethical travel website i-to-i.com which she started in her bedsit 11 years ago and recently sold for millions to First Choice Travel. Her story is truly remarkable having no commercial experience, no family history of enterprise and no funds, all she had was a great idea and wads of passion to create her own business.As a business person, her interests range from the enterprising mindset, SME business growth, curing common brands, savvy marketing, zeitgeist spotting, the emotion economy, generation Y customers, fearless innovation, women in business and enterprising teens.
Sample Topics
SME growth masterclasses;
Personal and business authenticity;
The cure for the common brand;
Relationships in the workplace;
Women in business;
Inspirational keynote about the growth and sale of her travel company
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Proclaimed by the Telegraph as having "Northern grit and determination that represents the perfect role model for business", the former standup-comedienne, world backpacker, English teacher, outback bus driver, media pundit, author of 'Fulfilled, A Personal Revolution in Seven Steps', C4 Dispatches Presenter and mum of two-Deirdre Bounds is a down to earth visionary who set up the ethical travel company i-to-i.com. From bedsit to big time; from standing start to leading light; from 'can do' to 'already done', former comedienne and founder of i-to-i travel, Deirdre Bounds never fails to enthuse and inspire with the infectious secret of her business and personal success. Deirdre Bounds was responsible for making travel industry history by changing people's perceptions of the 'ethical travel' movement. Her outlandish ideas in the company she created helped change the lives of 1000's of people and protect the earth's environment.In her talks she draws upon her broad range of experiences as a backpacker, stand-up comedienne, lost soul, hugely successful entrepreneur and bestselling personal development author. As a business person, her interests range from the enterprising mindset, SME business growth, curing common brands, savvy marketing, zeitgeist spotting, the emotion economy, generation Y customers, fearless innovation, women in business and enterprising teens. Due to her international business experience she has much to comment about the global economy and why and how companies and individuals need to adjust to it.
As an entrepreneur, Deirdre founded and sold the world's largest gap year travel company to a FTSE 100 company for an eight-figure sum. She has since set up an ethical children's party company - the first of its type in the UK. She therefore has a connection both with business audiences and those aspiring to become the next enterprising leaders. This is revealed in the huge amount of practical advice consisting of both the successes and failures she encountered along the way. Her audiences are left in no doubt that she knows what she is talking about and take away much from her authentic wisdom.
As a Commentator, Author, TV Presenter and Speaker, Deirdre combines all of her life and business experience to create a memorable and helpful exchange of ideas. She passionately believes in helping each individual to survive the mental roller-coaster of business - and once they have mastered that - she drives them on to take control of their business success
Deirdre has been voted as one of the North's top 100 entrepreneurs, she is recognised as being in the top 50 influencers in the region, is the Woman of Achievement in Yorkshire 2010, sits on the board of three public sector organisations, is a regular commentator on BBC Radio 2 and 5Live and is a Channel 4 Presenter of Dispatches.
