Felicity’s work at Pursers began on weekends when she started dating my now husband, with many a date being cut sort so that a bus or coach could be cleaned to go out on its next charter.

Felicity started helping with basic office duties and helping out where she could before and after her full time job in Pharmacy as front shop manager. After the arrival of their first daughter in 2004 this became full time, meaning Felicity had a four week old on her lap whilst completing fuel summaries and the BAS, in Felicity’s words “it’s what everyone does in business”. Learning along the way and starting with six buses, Pursers now is home to a fleet of 51 buses, coaches, 2 water trucks and also 2 travel agencies, whilst staying a strong family owned and run business.

In 2015  Felicity was honoured to be a finalist for the Telstra Women in business awards (corporate), where she met some amazing women who have remained close friends.  She was also awarded as the 2019 finalist for employer of the year for the Women in travel awards. On the family front, Felicity feels blessed with three daughters which have grown up amongst their busy lifestyle, and this could only be done when surrounded by the wonderful people which make up the Pursers family.

Felicity, You’ve worked in travel for a number of years – what made you decide to pursue this career?

The travel for us was really the next progression of what we already did. Having organised group tours domestically and internationally for so many years and with no agency within at least a two hour drive, it just seemed like the next step. Also looking to the future, of our group tours had started to decline in numbers and I always like to see where we can add to the business. Having as many different income streams to ensure the business remains viable.

Tell us about some of the highs and challenges you face as a business owner…

For me the highs are looking back and seeing how far we have come and the people in our business, how far they have come. This gives me deep pride.

Time is a challenge, as anyone in business would agree there is never enough. I am learning to delegate more but overcoming handing over responsibility is hard.

What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?

Leaders who lead with kindness, who are both compassionate and strong.

You are passionate about professional and personal development… how fundamental has this been to your success?

I was raised by a single parent, went to 10 different schools and was living on my own from the age of 17, if I didn’t look after myself then no one would. So for me I felt self-improvement a necessity, if I wanted to achieve more and become the best person I could then I need to constantly work on that. We are always learning and for me it has led to so many opportunities I would never have dreamed of. For those around me I want them to succeed, I am happy to help however I can for them to achieve their goals. It’s the best feeling seeing someone achieve great things.  

And what’s next on the agenda for Felicity Dascombe?

I am looking forward to growing our travel business, our coach company, also our farms. We live on 1000 acres and last year planted 200 oak trees to see if we can produce Truffles, so I’m excited to see where that leads. I’ve also registered two new businesses this year so looking forward to developing those.

Most interesting person that you have met?  

Jean Oelwang, Virgin Unite president, incredible leader.

Where is the best place that you have travelled to and why?

Necker Island, Beautiful location, people and its Necker Island.

Favourite book and why?

There are so many! But for me the Dictionary, as a child who was never read to, but loved to read I carried a pocket dictionary with me to help with difficult words so that I didn’t feel silly and to help me understand the story better.

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