40 Ways to Run a Successful Business - An Interview with the MD of Brightsun Travel
As part of our 40 for 40 blog series in honour of our 40th anniversary, we recently sat down for a candid, wide-ranging Q&A with the Managing Director of Brightsun Travel, Deepak Nangla, who shared 40 heartfelt insights.
Running a successful business isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet or booking systems and sales targets - it’s about people, purpose, perseverance, and passion.
Brightsun Travel is a company that has weathered every storm from global pandemics to market upheavals over the last three decades, and come out stronger each time.
From strategy and leadership to mistakes, resilience, and a few good laughs along the way, this Q&A is a roadmap for any entrepreneur looking to build a business that lasts.
A Vision Born from Community
Brightsun Travel was built on a simple yet powerful idea: to help ethnic communities in the UK reconnect with loved ones in their home countries. That mission of service has stayed at the heart of the company’s growth.
Behind that mission was a game-changing decision: invest in IT early. It laid the foundation for a business that could adapt, scale, and thrive even when the world came to a standstill.
“Invest in IT, without a doubt. That decision changed everything.”
More Than Numbers: Defining Success
What does success really look like? For the Brightsun MD, it’s not just about revenue - it’s about people.
“Success is when your teams are immersed, motivated, and aligned. That’s when a company truly thrives.”
This people-first mindset has shaped Brightsun’s evolution and leadership style. What began as sitting beside the sales team has grown into a leadership approach grounded in listening, adapting, and building from the front.
Failures, Risks & The Lessons They Teach
Every leader makes mistakes; the difference lies in what they learn. For this MD, the most difficult lesson was deeply personal:
“For a time, I put my family second. I’ll never do that again.”
And in business? He admits being too cautious in the early years held Brightsun back from growing faster.
“When you’re responsible for paying so many salaries, you play it safe. But I’ve learned that calculated risk is necessary.”
Navigating the Turbulence of the Travel Industry
Running a travel business means living with uncertainty. From COVID to inflation to digital disruption, Brightsun has survived and thrived through constant change.
“We invested during COVID - not cut. That’s why we came out of it stronger.”
That resilience isn’t luck. It’s strategy, built on long-term thinking, strong teams, and a refusal to let go of service quality even when margins are tight.
On Trust, Transparency & the Future
Trust, Deepak says, is the invisible currency of any good travel business. And in a world where customers demand instant results, that trust must be earned and protected every day.
“We seal away funds for emergencies. We’re licensed. We’re prepared. That’s how we build trust, especially with new customers.”
Looking ahead, he’s clear: “AI is coming fast, and it will change everything - even the role of the travel agent. But what won’t change is the importance of care, fairness, and human connection.”
“If I sold a flight to my mother - what would I charge her? That’s how I set boundaries.”
People, Always People
Whether it’s hiring key talent or motivating a team during a slow season, one theme runs through every answer: people matter most.
“Hire people who bring new skills. People who challenge you. And invest in them. They’re your biggest asset.”
Even during stressful times, the solution is the same: share the pressure. Keep moving. Look ahead.
If You're Going to Dream, Dream Big
But perhaps the most practical advice came wrapped in humour:
“Never have one big idea. Have ten. Try all of them.”
That spirit of trying, failing, adapting, and trying again is the real secret behind Brightsun’s success.
To Gen Z: Should You Start a Travel Business?
He doesn’t sugar-coat it.
“If six months in, you still wake up excited to build, then yes. If not, don’t bother. Gen Z wants everything now. Travel takes time.”
Discipline, not dopamine, builds businesses. And that’s the truth.
Finally... Quick-fire Wisdom
• Best business advice in 5 words or less: “Look after your cost.”
• Hardest part of being a Managing Director: “Aligning people with your vision.”
• Most underrated skill in business: “Laughter.”
• Favourite software: “Outlook.”
• How do you recharge? “I remember I have children.”
Final Words of Advice
We asked one last question: What would you say to a new entrepreneur starting a travel business?
“Why are you doing it? And how do you plan to make it work?”
Simple. Direct. And, like most of his answers, surprisingly human.
40 years of business. 40 insights. And a whole lot of heart.
If you’re building a business, in travel or otherwise, this isn’t just advice. It’s a blueprint for resilience, growth, and staying true to what matters.
Because at the end of the day, business is about people. And that’s something Brightsun Travel has never forgotten.
