Her Story
About Brandi
Brandi has built a career in the hotel industry spanning 30 years. She began in housekeeping and advanced through front desk roles with a timeshare management company before progressing in larger cities. Brandi has served as a general manager for about 12 years and has been at her current Best Western Plus property for over 4 years. She is hands-on and guest-focused, overseeing staff training, operations, the on-site bar and restaurant, catering, and meeting rooms. Brandi went to school for law enforcement and corrections and previously worked as a correctional officer. She obtained her real estate license and recently began working part-time as a travel agent. She is a member of the Wisconsin Lodging and Hotel Association and earned a Best Western Corporate award for guest enrollments in Best Western Rewards. At her property, Brandi has more than doubled revenue in her first year and is training in revenue management.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brandi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to dedication, loyalty, and hard work. I have always believed that if you commit to something, you give it your best and see it through. Throughout my career in hospitality, I have stayed dedicated to the people I work with, the organizations I represent, and the goals I set for myself.
Loyalty has taught me the importance of building strong relationships and earning the trust of others, while hard work has reminded me that success rarely happens overnight. There have been challenges and setbacks along the way, but I have continued to show up, learn, grow, and push forward.
I believe success is not just about reaching a position or achieving a goal—it is about the work ethic, integrity, and consistency you bring with you along the way. Those values have shaped my career and continue to guide me as I enter this next chapter as a Travel Advisor.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to keep pushing forward, even when you encounter small bumps along the way. Not every day or every chapter will go exactly as planned, but setbacks don’t have to stop your progress. Sometimes, they simply redirect you or teach you something valuable.
I’ve also learned the importance of advocating for yourself. You can work hard, be loyal, and give your best to others, but ultimately, you have to keep your own goals and best interests in mind. Nobody knows your ambitions, your potential, or what you want for your future better than you do.
For me, success has meant continuing to move forward, learning from every experience, and never being afraid to speak up for myself and pursue what I know I’m capable of achieving.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the hospitality and travel industries would be to find someone you truly align with and learn everything you can from them—especially through hands-on experience. There is so much you can learn from being willing to observe, ask questions, and get involved.
Knowledge is important, but I believe your personality can take you further than your knowledge alone. You can always learn something new. Technology will continue to change, industries will evolve, and there will always be new systems, trends, and skills to master.
What doesn’t change is who you are—your personality, your work ethic, your loyalty, and the way you treat people. Those qualities can open doors, build lasting relationships, and create opportunities that knowledge alone cannot.
Be willing to learn, stay true to yourself, work hard, and never underestimate the power of being someone people genuinely enjoy working with and can trust.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the hospitality and travel industry right now is availability and finding the right fit—both for employers looking for the right people and for individuals looking for the right opportunities.
With so much of the hiring and business process now happening digitally, it can be difficult to make a genuine personal connection. It’s harder to walk into a business, meet someone face-to-face, and have the opportunity to sit down for an interview or conversation. Sometimes, a resume or online application simply doesn’t capture the personality, work ethic, and character that someone brings to the table.
At the same time, I see a tremendous opportunity in bringing that personal connection back into an increasingly digital world. Technology makes things faster and more convenient, but people still value relationships, trust, and personal service. I believe those who can combine technology with genuine human connection will continue to stand out.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, the most important values in both my work and personal life are honesty, loyalty, dedication, and treating people with respect. I believe in giving my best, keeping my word, and being someone others can count on.
I also value hard work and perseverance. Life and careers will always have challenges, but I believe in continuing to move forward, learning from each experience, and never losing sight of what matters most.
Most importantly, I believe in being genuine and treating people the way I would want to be treated. Success means more when you can achieve it while staying true to yourself and maintaining meaningful relationships along the way.
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