A timely career change eight years ago for Danielle Smithson has proven to be a clean winner for Henzells Agency.
Danielle ran a successful contract cleaning business employing 25 people on the Sunshine Coast before opting to sell up and join Henzells, a move she says she doesn’t regret, and neither do we!
Danielle now leads the agency’s holiday team, where she enjoys working with a committed group of three other accommodation specialists in a field she loves.
“I previously had dealings with Henzells in my former role doing holiday and bond cleans in the Caloundra area."
“They always struck me as a business with a great culture and reputation. In the back of my mind, I thought I wouldn’t mind working with them one day."
“When I decided it was time for a change, I did an interview with (Henzells GM) Katherine and a week later I had the job. I haven’t looked back,” Danielle said.
Her background also includes extensive involvement in the hospitality sector working in successful bars and restaurants on the Sunshine Coast and Tangalooma Island.
This combined experience created the perfect skill set for heading up Henzells’ holiday department, Accom Caloundra, which has grown to become one of the major drivers of tourism for the southern Sunshine Coast.
Danielle’s commitment and passion has made the business the success it is today but she is quick to point out it is a team effort.
“I work with a great group of girls. The best part of my job is working with my team. We bounce well off each other. I couldn’t do my job without them doing theirs’ and they do it very well,’’ she said.
While, technically, life’s a holiday for Danielle, the days are busy from start to finish.
From looking after holiday guests, liaising with property owners, dealing with holiday trust accounts and refunds, bringing on new business growing the accommodation portfolio, taking bookings and handling any multitude of other issues that may arise, there’s never a dull moment.
“A major highlight for me has been seeing the way we have grown as an agency.’’ “We had to implement a number of new policies and procedures to reflect the ever-changing way people look at holidays, especially in the wake of COVID,’’ she said
Under Danielle’s leadership, Accom Caloundra paved the way with the highest standards of accommodation cleanliness, flexibility with cancellations and other measures such as renovations plus compulsory Wi-Fi and bed linen to reflect guests’ expectations. As a result, bookings and occupancy rates have never been stronger.
When she’s not at work, Danielle loves spending time with her son and daughter enjoying the outdoors and the beach.
A born and bred Sunshine Coaster who attended primary and high school in Caloundra, the family resides in Baringa where they recently built a new home.