Meet Cherryl Brazier | Global Sales Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cherryl Brazier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cherryl, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had worked in Global sales for the hotel industry for over 20 years and was laid off by my previous employer when the company downsized their sales team after being purchased by a new owner.

I took some time off to decide what I wanted for my future and came down to the following criteria

1- Still be able to work on a global basis
2- Continue working with the same client base where I have long term relationships going back over 20 years
3- Work from Home to allow flexibility in my schedule and allow the opportunity to work from East & West Coast
4- Over the Corporate BS and did not want to work for a large corporate hotel company again

I pretty much wanted to do the same job that I was god at but needed a portfolio to sell so set up a sales representation company to represent independent hotels, Venues and travel companies that wanted more US business but did not have the resources to have a full time salesperson in the US.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Anchor Collection is a boutique sales representation company that provides independent group sales support, connecting Our Partners – Hotels, Venues & DMCs – with key players in the meeting, event, and incentive industries. We consistently offer reliable and steadfast market representation for international and US Hotels, Venues & DMCs with US-based meeting, incentive, and event professionals – both direct and third-party planners.
We are strategic partners, global meeting and incentive industry professionals, and highly successful sales representatives that seamlessly connect premium international properties and destinations with interested corporate accounts.
We are experts at building partner relationships that deliver positive, measurable results.

Very proud to have created a brand that is now recognized and remembered by my clients and industry friends and also of my business comes from referrals from industry friends. Also managed to survive during the pandemic, through help from teh SBA and also getting new clients even during the pandemic.

I was trained in Hospitality Management and worked my way up in the hotel industry to acting General Manager before side tracking onto sales. I have been an active member of 2 of the major industry associations – Meeting Professional International and the Society for Incentive Travel excellence and served 3 years on their International Board of Directors. Thankfully this helped me gain a good profile in our industry which helped when setting up my business and reaching out to prospective partners.

Its not been easy but the following lessons learned

Develop a good network and used Linkedin to connect with clients, competitors and suppliers – you never know who your next client will be as people move around the industry.

Develop a network of other entrepreneurs- I did not have this so attended local chamber events, Women in business events etc

Spend the time and money to develop a good brand image on social media.

Be visible in your market by attending industry events, conferences and tradeshows

Its always better to collaborate than compete, make friends with the other new businesses in your industry as you grow together.

Take the time to learn the financial side of your business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have alot of friends that come to Los Angeles from UK,

Favourite spots –

Hiking in Palos Verdes with lunch or drinks at Nelson at Terranea Resort ,
A visit to the Getty Museum is a must and a drive along sunset Boulevard
Hiking the Mishe Mokwa trail on the Ventura county line with lunch at Neptunes Net
Rent a Paddleboard from the paddleboat place in King Harbor Redondo Beach followed by a beer at King Harbor Brewing or brunch at R10 Bistro
Dinner at Gaby James and drinks at Friends of the Vine Winebar say Hi to Fred the owner who could be the Mayor of Redondo Beach as he knows everyone
A walk along the beach path from Heizler park in Laguna Beach at sunset and a drink at the Cliff
Morning Yoga at Treasure island park by the Montage Hotel
Beer tasting in Torrance starting at Phantom Carriage
A Saturday morning visit to Torrance Farmers Market

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I decided to set up my business , I googled ” Setting up a business in California” and came across the SBA. I signed up to attend a session at the El Camino College SBDC center in Inglewood. I found a wealth of free resources and classes available to anyone wanting to set up a business and wanted guidance. They proved to be an amazing help in setting up my business, free access to a lawyer to register my business and an accountant to help set up Quikbooks. They have also been a great resource during the pandemic to help with access to PPP and EIDL loans

Website: www.anchor-collection.com

Instagram: AnchorCollectiondestinations

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrylbrazier/

Twitter: Cherryl Brazier

Facebook: Cherryl Brazier

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuuc2mHsRWH7oubHNR6AsGA