Her Story
About Nashely
I've been in the hospitality industry for about 25 years. After studying hospitality at the University of Puerto Rico, I started my career as a server at the Normandy Hotel before joining the Ritz-Carlton in November 2002. Throughout my time with the company, I've done a little bit of everything - from server at the pool and beach to departmental trainer, working in banquets, housekeeping, and various operational departments. The position that gave me the best experience ever was Conference Concierge, where I worked alongside Willie, who I call my half person, my right and left hand all across the board. We did magical things there together. In 2017, right before the hurricane hit my island, I took a very brave decision to move to Florida with my son in April. Since then, I've been doing events, weddings, you name it. I'm currently in sales and just received a promotion to dual property sales executive. I'm about to open an Autograph Collection property. My ultimate career goal is to create my own very authentic kind of hotel, similar to how my company started with boutique properties that became extremely successful.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nashely
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say keeping resilient. When you try one thing and it doesn't work, try it once again, and do it once again. And it doesn't go through, but don't keep thinking that that's a failure. That, if anything, makes you three times stronger, and you're gonna learn from there, and you're gonna treasure those times because it makes you the person that you are today. It's about never giving up and learning from every challenge.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say, keep on dreaming. Be true to yourself. Promise yourself that you will get 10 times better, even when things don't go right. And please, every single day, do the best you can do. Sometimes you're sick, sometimes you're tired, sometimes you're overwhelmed, but if you do your best every single day, you will create that legendary moment. I would always say, do the right thing, even when nobody's watching. I grew up with very strong values in my island, by my parents, by my family, so that's something that I have as my very strong inner will.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say, respect for time. I'm very cognizant of being on time because you don't know what other person's fine line is. If you do have an appointment, a commitment, a call, whatever the case might be, things might happen - you can be involved in a car accident, get a flat tire, traffic jam, anything could happen - but planning yourself to get there with a little buffer of time, that's crucial. There's no worse feeling than starting a meeting or starting a conversation, and you're struggling because you just don't have that time to settle before connecting with that other person. The second one I would say is trust. You gotta trust yourself, and you gotta trust your people, your team. If there's no trust, there's nothing that's gonna move forward. Micromanaging is absolutely a disaster. If you encounter yourself doing a micromanagement situation, then you'd rather let that person go and find the person that you will find the balance, that will complement you, and make you both move forward. My family is extremely important - coming to them, talking to them, making sure that they are at their best make me feel that I'm accomplished, that I'm fulfilled. I also find balance through what fuels me and brings me energy, whether that is exercising, reading a book, or just coming back home and seeing my kid smile.
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