From Hostess to Hospitality Leader: A Journey Fueled by Grit, Growth, and Going for It
From Hostess to Hospitality Leader: A Journey of Growth, Risk-Taking, and Transformation in the Hotel Industry
Seventeen years ago, I walked into my first hospitality job — not as a director, not even as a manager — but as a college student working as a hostess. At the time, I thought it was just a job to help pay my bills. What I didn’t realize was that it would be the start of a career that would shape not only my professional path, but also who I am as a leader, a woman, and a person.
What I quickly discovered was that hospitality is so much more than checking people in or serving them a meal — it’s about creating moments, solving problems, and building connections. I was curious and eager to learn, so I moved from the front door to the front desk, where I began to understand the heartbeat of hotel operations.
From there, I found myself drawn to the events side of the business — a world of logistics, creativity, and adrenaline that I absolutely thrived in. I loved orchestrating details, seeing plans come to life, and delivering flawless experiences for clients and guests. It was in those rooms, behind the scenes of some of the most memorable events, that I truly fell in love with hospitality.
And then, as I like to joke, “the dark side” of sales recruited me. It wasn’t a path I had envisioned, but it was one that clicked almost immediately. Sales combined everything I had learned — operations, event execution, guest experience, and business strategy — and gave me the chance to shape the story of a property before a guest even walked through the door. It’s where I found my voice, my confidence, and my passion for building lasting partnerships.
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of opening a luxury boutique hotel that was transformed from a 1930s office building, bringing new life, a five-star restaurant, and a rooftop bar to the heart of downtown. Later, I led a $50 million renovation of a premium full-service hotel, transforming it from something dated and forgotten into a dynamic, vibrant destination that now sets the standard for meetings, events, and guest experiences in the region.
None of it was easy — there were risks, setbacks, and moments of doubt — but every challenge was an opportunity to grow. And each chapter taught me something new about leadership, resilience, and the power of reinvention.
If there’s one message I want to leave with anyone reading this, it’s this: go for what you want, even if it scares you. The most rewarding opportunities are often the ones that feel just out of reach. Say yes to the unexpected. Take the risk. Learn something new. You never know where that “just a job” might take you — it could become the career that changes everything.
