Paul Stewart has spent 15 years at the helm of My Baggage, his luggage delivery company. His business aims to eliminate stress and reduce the cost of moving or traveling abroad.
By Liana Handler
What was your first job?
At 12, I worked in the bar of my uncle’s hotel during the summer, sorting bottles and cleaning ashtrays. It paid one punt an hour, very glamourous.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I always had an interest in business, especially online. I was selling on eBay at 16 and making some extra pocket money. I was always looking out for opportunities to create an online business. When I went to Edinburgh University, I was traveling to and from Ireland and getting hit with excess baggage fees each time, so I thought of shipping luggage to and from university for students who had multiple suitcases. I started My Baggage in 2010 to solve this problem.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Launching My Baggage in America really propelled the business to new heights after we secured a multi-million euro deal to provide luggage shipping service to and from the USA. We now ship to and from 160 countries from five main markets; UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and recently launched this year in France.
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
Maybe move faster. At the start, I thought My Baggage would be a small business helping students move their luggage around Europe with some international shipments. The first five years I spent finding my feet and growing the business slowly. I wish I had more confidence at the start to push the international markets sooner. We now mostly help people relocate abroad for work or to study.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
Freedom to spend your time how you wish.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Just do it – you will learn more from doing something, setting up a business, learning a new skill, etc. than you will from reading about it or talking about it.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
I love seeing the business grow and the new services and routes we add. That alone keeps me motivated. Staff-wise we have a profit share so they can share in the success of the business and see how the work they do impacts the business.
How do you handle adversity?
There are always challenges in business, so learning to accept that issues will happen will help with managing stress and enable you to solve the problems as they arise.
How do you relax?
I am a big fan of motorsport and I currently race in Ireland and Northern Ireland in a Mini Cooper. I also enjoy the gym as a way to clear the head before work.
What is your favourite (non-business) book?
My guilty pleasure when on holiday is a John Grisham book.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
For My Baggage to be the best company for people to move their personal effects abroad. I would love if we could help one million people move abroad. We are a bit way from that target just yet!
READ MORE 60 SECONDS
Barry Guiney, Executive Search Partner at Odgers Berndtson