Joe Poulin

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell 

Published in the Financial Post

 Jan 12, 2009

Joe Poulin founded Luxury Retreats ( www.luxuryretreats.com ). Headquartered in Montreal , Luxury Retreats offers customized vacations at a selection of 2,000 villas around the globe. Joe Poulin tells the Financial Post what motivated him to become an entrepreneur.

Very early start: “At 15, I started to design websites. A business in Barbados contacted me, and I decided to fly down, though I’d never been on a plane before. During that job, I began to imagine how one could market vacations online.”

The golden life: “At age 17, fresh out of high school, I started my company, listing villas, working with their owners, adding destinations. Suddenly, business grew, and I hired my older brother, then others. I used new technology to change a tradition-bound industry.”

Offerings: “Basically, we rent out private villas in such places as Italy , Mexico , Spain , Hawaii , the U.S. , and across the Caribbean , and make any arrangements you like. For example, if you want a private chef, or yoga, scuba, or tennis lessons, or a special party, we make it happen.”

Fabulous dwellings: “The villas are inspected to make sure they’re the finest. We’re selling an experience, and we do our best to make sure it’s memorable.”

The best: “Running a business like this is my passion. It’s an international business that offers new experiences and challenges every day.”

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