Kelly-Ann Patterson

Tell me about your journey, how did you get to be a Hottie?

I came back from my OE as a keen 22-year-old eager to share my travel experiences. I approached my local House of Travel store (Lower Hutt) and was hired on the spot. I felt truly lucky, I had an awesome team and was lucky enough to experience even more travel while employed here. Many, many years down the road I am still here and still loving it.

Take us behind the scenes - what does a day in your life look like?

Coffee, inbox, coffee, queues, coffee, inbox and that’s generally before 8am!

No day is ever the same, I think that’s why we love it. I am really motived in the morning, but depending on who walks in store or who is calling on the phone will generally steer the direction of the day. We have a great team, lots of banter and actively get involved with each other’s clients too. 

What advice would you give someone just starting their career or is interested in your role?

Be patient, you need to start with the basics and be OK with that, if you have a true passion for the industry and for travel then you will absolutely have the best career however you need to be patient, it takes a while to build up a portfolio.

Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?

Yes – schedule changes

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The people!!!

How would you explain to your friends and family what working here is like?

They know, as I bang on about it all the time. We love our jobs, we have fun, we are supported, we are part of a sensational brand that looks after us.

What is it about House of Travel that keeps you coming back?

See above, the people!

What are you looking forward to currently, in your role and personally?

I am now part of the business partnership program and I am looking forward to achieving my long term goal of becoming the next Owner Operator for Lower Hutt.

Any last comments you’d like to make?

I still get pinch me moments of the position I am in. I feel very lucky.