Her Story
About Aarushi
My journey in hospitality began in 2020 during the most unconventional year for hotels - the COVID pandemic. I initially joined the industry thinking I wanted to become a chef, but I found a mentor, a professor whose teaching and communication skills were so impressive that I became inclined to front desk operations. I hold a bachelor's degree in hotel and hospitality administration, which included two internships that exposed me to the world of hospitality. I trained in every department - food and beverage, housekeeping, front desk, and even the kitchen - but my interest stuck to front office. My first actual exposure running desk operations was in Muscat, where I learned the basics from checking people in and out to handling billing queries. It wasn't a smooth sail - there were good days and worse days, being shouted at and screamed at, but it was all worth it. I then worked at Hyatt Regency in Chandigarh and later moved to the United States to join Marriott as a front desk supervisor. Now, as a front office manager at Holiday Inn, I lead my team with the spirit that we are brand ambassadors. A typical day in my life is chaotically fun - any day in hotels is never the same. My day usually starts at 7 and lasts 10 to 12 hours, sometimes 60 to 70-hour weeks. I don't get a chair - it's a mix of leadership, management, and on-the-floor presence. I make sure all guests feel welcome and recognized, especially our hospital guests who are visiting for not-too-good reasons. I'm the coordinator between top management and frontline workers, and I step into different roles when needed, whether that means turning into a housekeeper to get things done. At the end of the day, guests look at a hotel as a whole, and we are running a perfect movie that needs to look perfect on the outside. I'm also currently pursuing my master's in business administration with a minor in hospitality at Trine University, balancing two full-time roles that require my 100%.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aarushi
01What do you attribute your success to?
My most notable professional achievement is that I have grown and developed people and talent in my team, and they have developed into roles that they never believed they would ever develop to. I don't go more for awards or promotions myself, but if I'm able to add value to someone else's career, or maybe just provide them a helping hand that I once needed but I never got, that's something that I look at as my biggest accomplishment. When I see my team grow, that's what drives me. I've had great managers who let me lead, let me make mistakes and learn from them instead of just telling me what to do, and I want to be that kind of manager for my team. I also believe that the more work I put in now is how much it's going to benefit me in the future. Going to the gym consistently, like my dad who is a professional bodybuilder, has taught me that if I set a goal and push myself through the pain and struggles, I prove to myself that I'm more than what I think I am. That confidence bleeds into my professional and personal life - even when I'm exhausted at work, I have enough confidence to push my limits more and deliver 100% even when I feel like I'm working at 50%.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let your past experiences change your perception of future possibilities. If there was something that limited you in the past, it doesn't necessarily have to limit your future possibility of what can happen for you. We as women have incredible talents - we are multi-taskers. It's just that sometimes we limit ourselves to the possibilities. When I was in school, I always noticed this one gap: why are there not many women leading in the industry? Why do I not know of many women who are currently doing the work that I want to do? There was no reliable source for information, no reliable source for motivation in this aspect. I believe platforms like Influential Women are important so women can come together and celebrate each other's success. Don't dress for the job that you have, but dress for the job that you want - that's exactly the kind of phrases and things that women need to hear in order to succeed in the business world.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is making sure each guest feels welcome and receives the care and empathy they deserve, especially our hospital guests who are visiting for not-too-good reasons. I lead my team with the spirit that we are the face and ambassadors of the Holiday Inn, of the IHG brand. Guests don't look at departments separately - they look at a hotel as a whole. We're running a perfect movie that needs to look perfect on the outside. Something that could be a really small thing for you could be a really big deal for somebody else, so you have to be empathetic. I also value developing people and providing them a helping hand that I once needed but never got. When I see my team grow and develop into roles they never believed they could achieve, that's my biggest accomplishment. A happy mind and happy body is all you need to keep going - that balance is essential to me.
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