Charlie Scott is one of three Co-Founders of Trufflepig, a trip planning company that he estimates will be somewhere between growing at a rate that’s gentle and crazy in the next five years. What sets his business apart from the competition? Find out in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Trufflepig is a trip planning company. We create and deliver high-end custom trips, in about 40 countries around the world, for individuals, couples, families, and small private groups.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
I was tired of building someone else’s business. My partners and I also felt there was a need for a travel company that had as much personality as expertise.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The most fun part about our work is answering the phone and having no idea what sort of wild and whacky trip someone is going to request. The most challenging thing is delivering an impossible trip and making it look like a piece of cake.
Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
I see us growing at a rate that’s somewhere between gentle and crazy. We don’t aspire to be a behemoth, but we do want to keep getting bigger and better. As importantly, we want to be regarded as the ultimate travel company for people who value curiosity, character, and killer service as much as we do.
What does success look like to you?
Cashmere socks.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Getting our first corporate chequebook. Silly, but it was a memorable moment.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Allow a gentle measure of delusion to creep into your plans. That guarantees you’ll reach for something interesting. Always follow through – no one wants to do business with someone who flakes out.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Yes. We support a number of organizations and projects in the countries we travel to. Life is a two-way street.
What is Notable to you?
People who are gracious and kind to everyone even when they don’t need to be.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I bike to and from work every day. Year-round. In winter I put steel studded tires on my bicycle and dress up like I’m headed out the door on a polar expedition. And I have two small children. Need I say more?