It was on a solo business trip to Los Angeles in 2008 that inspired Carolyn Pearson to come up with the idea of creating a network –maiden-voyage.com – to connect female business travellers so that they may meet for dinner, go out and explore a new city together, see a show or hit the shops with fun, like-minded company.

Recalling the trip Pearson, who is the network’s CEO, said, “Passionate about travel I was excited to be heading off to Los Angeles on a flight covered by my employer, and I booked a couple of extra hotel nights on my own personal budget. But in reality, as a lone female traveller there are just some things that might not be comfortable or appropriate to do, so rather than exploring the bright lights of West Hollywood I found myself stuck in a dull, soulless business hotel on a Saturday night.

And it was then the idea came to create a network for female business travellers around the world to connect. Pearson launched the site shortly on her return to the UK. Within a few months it was featured on CNN and in the New York Times, which led to women signing up from all over the world.

In a Q&A with WIT, Pearson gives an insight into maiden-voyage.com.

Q: Describe the business, core products and services in one paragraph

Maiden-voyage.com is a social network to connect female business travellers so that they can dine and socialise with like-minded company in their spare time. We provide travel safety tips and advice such as local customs, travel and safety information, as well as recommending things to do and see in the world’s top cities. We gather intelligence on hotels around the world, and recommend those that are truly safe and female friendly to our members.These hotels provide exclusive offers for our members such as upgrades, welcome champagne, spa treats etc.  We also train hotels how to really tap into and delight the female travel market.

Q: Who are your key customers?

Female business travellers and hoteliers worldwide.

Q: What business are you most likely to be compared to?

We are like a combination of Tripit and Trip Advisor for women, however, lot of the services we offer such as female focused hotel training, there aren’t any other companies doing the same thing.

Q: What problem are you trying to solve for your customers?

For women we are providing a secure network through which they can meet and dine with like-minded women around the world to spare them the boredom or discomfort of solo dining.

For hotels we are increasing exposure, revenues and loyalty from the female business traveller.

Q: What financial support did you have to launch the business?

None, I supported it through my own income and have continued to grow and spend in proportion to what we are earning.

 Q: Who validated the idea first – investors or customers?

Customers, we have steered clear of investment, we want to be accountable to a sustainable income stream not cash injections.

Q: What is the revenue model and strategy for profitability?

Revenues come from hotel listings, PR and social media campaigns, training programs, mystery guests, online surveys and promoting complimentary travel, safety, beauty and fashion brands.

As exposure and value increase for our partners we can price accordingly.

Q: What is the market opportunity? How scalable is this business?

We will grow through scale as we expand worldwide, our global team of ambassadors and hotel inspectors are constantly feeding us intelligence through our mobile inspection site on the best hotels to recommend to our members. We manage costs tightly and because we sell internationally and buy domestically we are tax efficient.

Q: Who are the team members and advisors?

As founder and CEO, my background is in IT where I have lead technology teams for Sony Music, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, BBC and ITV.  My last corporate role was Head of Commercial Systems at easyJet. I have a BA in business and IT and MBA, and have been through the Cranfield School of Management Executive Leadership programme. I’m passionate about travel, technology and connecting people; so launching the company allowed me to put all these ingredients together.

I outsource to talented freelancers including designers, trainers and have a virtual PA Gillian who looks after our members and keeps me well organised.

Our software was built by Black Light Software, We have a fantastic team of ambassadors around the world, smart, travel savvy women who help us to crowd-source travel information, write good content, identify hotels and be a point of contact for inbound travellers.

I have an impressive group of trusted advisors and mentors including travel industry veterans Clive Jacobs, Jane Sunley andLara Morgan.

Q: Why do you think you are the best people to make this vision happen?

I have walked in the shoes of women business travellers, I have seen the best and, thankfully, not the worst of what hotels have to offer. I have designed and implemented travel technology systems and have a technical background and I am a prolific connector. I am a big believer of doing what you love and the money will come, my driver isn’t predominantly financial.

The sense of community which we get and create not only from our members, but also our ambassadors means that we “punch above our respective weights”; it’s taken of a life of it’s own.

Q: What’s the motivation behind doing this?

Purely good intentions to help women get the absolute most out of their business trips. Of course there is a safety element in terms of providing travel tips and vetting hotels for safety but beyond that I want to empower them to get out and experience the world. When you have the opportunity to visit a new city at your company’s expense it’s so liberating to use your spare time to see the sights, drink in the culture, talk to the people and taste the food of this new place.

• Photo credit (women travellers): Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com