Business Traveler Interview: Andy Hayes

This is part of a new series here at WhyGo Business Travel featuring brief interviews with people who travel for work, asking them about what they do and some of their favorite travel tips. This way, if you’re looking for a career that will require travel, you’ll get to read about people doing some of the jobs you might consider – and you’ll also learn a few great travel tips from the travel pros!

This week, we’re talking with Andy Hayes. He’s based in Seattle and you can track him online at AndyHayes.com.

What do you do?
In short: I consult with entrepreneurs on their business models, I run a niche online travel magazine, and I run a tourism marketing company for small businesses. It’s kinda busy!

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
I tend to do a lot of travel, because of speaking engagements, real world meetups, and travel under the guise as a journalist. I definitely get to choose where I go, although sometimes I’ll go somewhere I’m not too excited about but I want to attend an event or get to meet someone in particular. In some ways I’m your classic business traveler, but since I have that travel magazine slant, I’m always looking at things from the perspective of a timid traveler.

How often do you get to travel for work?
At least once a month, sometimes more.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
Perhaps I was just meant to travel. My very first job (after of course University and the like), I was a road warrior in every sense of the word – 200k+ miles flown. That lasted just a few years until I had been thoroughly flogged by the aviation industry, and I moved into another role in my company where I flew a little less often (but more long haul travel).

Now, I work for myself, so I’m much closer to the decision to travel, but since that’s the business I’m in, I am on the go. No regrets – I’ve lived and learned from all of those experiences, and travel as well has evolved (both good and bad) over the years. So I’m happy with the stories I have to tell, and happy about where I ended up.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?
Well, one great tip is for packing. Cash and documents. Everything else you can buy. Seriously – that’s it. Do you have credit cards, and your passport?

The other is to know when it is worth it to spend the money. Sometimes, taking a taxi to the airport instead of the metro, or spending the $150 on an upgrade for more leg room on a 20 hour flight is, frankly, money well spent on your personal health and sanity.

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
As I mentioned, I do a lot of work with entrepreneurs and small business owners. My first question normally is: What do you want? What are you looking for? Unfortunately, jet setting around the world is not so glamorous after the fifth time you’ve lost your luggage, when you have the flu transpacific, or when you’re cramped in close quarters and desperate for some sleep. So don’t buy into those sleek images Hollywood would have you believe – get clear on what you want out of it first, then come up with a plan afterwards.

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