RBC royal bank champions.

• Author: Marr, Ruth
• Position: Ruth Marr, Randonnee Tours

The small business specialists in our vibrant cross-country network of women's market champions have a passion for serving women entrepreneurs in their communities. These account managers provide information, networking connections and the financial and banking advice needed to succeed. In this feature, we introduce you to one of these champions and a client who is thriving and growing with this help.

Client I profile

Name: Ruth Marr

204-475-6939

1-800-465-6488 (toll-free)

Ruth@RandonneeTours.ca

www.RandonneeTours.ca

Job description: President, Randonnee Tours

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Quote: "I love the flexibility and freedom that comes from owning your own business."

Ruth Marr's epiphany came in 1990 while huddled over a cappuccino on a cold day in Winnipeg. Having just returned from a biking holiday in Italy, she and her husband at the time were brainstorming business ideas, when voila!, Randonnee Tours was born. "Creating our own active holidays was something that both of us loved to do, so we thought it would be an interesting business to start."

Almost a decade later, Ruth has bought out her ex-husband's share, and found her niche with Randonne Tours -- the largest company in North America that owns, operates and offers self-guided adventure trips in Europe. On the cutting edge of a trend towards more independent styles of travel, Randonnee's trip activities range from walking to cycling and hiking, and the countries on offer include France, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Switzerland and, most recently, Canada. Its client base is predominantly American. While there are no group schedules to keep, the self-guided concept still offers a full package vacation. As an active holiday, clients are provided with all equipment, maps, hotels, luggage transfers and some meals but, as part of Randonnee's "Philosophy of Choice", they are free to choose their own start date and length of stay.

Ruth spends half her time in Europe "doing what I love to do, which is travel, and giving pleasure to others." This is the exciting part. "The real challenge is building the infrastructure behind the fun product" -- something which she says is often underrated in business.

For help, she turns to her advisory committee, which includes her lawyer, accountant and a management consultant. Her banker, Vi Desrochers, has also been invaluable, having made a real effort to get to know Ruth and her business. "My company has unusual needs, and Vi has done her...