Where It All Began: A Journey Through the Hallways of the Hotel World

In the world of hospitality, there’s a saying: "One door closes, another opens." But what’s often left unsaid is the long hallway in between, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected challenges.

My personal journey as a leader in the hotel industry over the past eighteen months has come full circle, bringing me back to where it all started—my first management position.

The Beginning of My Career: A Chance Encounter

In 1988, when I graduated from Johnson and Wales University (then Johnson and Wales College), I had just finished my shift as a Fellowship in the purchasing department at the Culinary campus. It was then that I attended a career day and met a senior leader from the largest branded hotel in Boston. He asked me a series of situational questions that would change the trajectory of my career:

• Tell me about a time you overcame an adverse situation. What was your approach, and is there anything you would have done differently?
• If there was anything you could change about your current work environment, what would it be?
• What are your expectations of your leader?
• What does success look like in the first 30, 60, and 90 days of a new position?

From Conversation to Opportunity

What started as a casual conversation soon turned into an unexpected interview. Though I thought we were just chatting, I realized after 30 minutes that this was more than just a conversation—it was an opportunity. After we finished, I handed him my resume, exchanged phone numbers (since email didn’t exist at the time), and said farewell.

Two weeks later, my phone rang. It was the senior leader from the career fair. He had changed positions and wanted to offer me a role as a purchasing manager at a prestigious hotel in Boston’s Back Bay area. Despite the excitement, there was one catch—I had one month left of school, and I had to balance both my studies and this new job on weekends.

It was a stressful but rewarding experience to begin my career in hospitality before even graduating. In that moment, I knew that the industry would offer life experiences I could only dream of.

Reflecting on the Past Eighteen Months

When I look back over the past eighteen months, never would I have imagined that so many of us, myself included, would face such profound challenges in the hospitality industry. The pandemic forced many of us to pivot, adapt, and seek opportunities outside of the hotel world.

For me, the uncertainty during the pandemic was overwhelming, with furloughs, layoffs, and hotel divestitures making it hard to plan for the future. I sought out new opportunities, including starting my own LLC and joining the Cayuga Hospitality Consultants Network.

This experience taught me what it truly means to lead in the face of adversity. And while recovery is slow, it’s happening—and I believe the hospitality industry is incredibly resilient.

Interview Rules to Live By

Through all these challenges, I focused on three simple rules to help me rise above:

1. Build Structure to stay on track.
2. Be Succinct and to the point.
3. WAIT—Why Am I Talking? Listening is key.

Even if I didn’t land the job on the first try, these rules helped me become better prepared and more valuable for future opportunities.

Bringing It All Full Circle

The saying “One door closes, another opens” is true, but what many don’t talk about is the hallway in between—the one that can be overwhelming and full of surprises.

After spending years working in New York City with some of the most iconic hotels and professionals in the business, I had to explore opportunities outside of this market to continue growing my career and providing for my family.

Always Be Building Your Career

As I’ve navigated my career in hospitality, I’ve learned the importance of constantly building. Here’s what’s always been key to my growth:

• Prospecting and qualifying the next move.
• Networking through casual conversations.
• Navigating the interview process.
• Highlighting accomplishments without boasting.
• Patiently waiting for the decision.

In the end, it came full circle. Would my career have been different if I had actually gotten the job with that senior leader in Boston back in 1988? Perhaps. But I never could have imagined that my next move would bring me back to the very same large branded hotel in Boston, this time not as a senior leader—but as the General Manager.

A Final Thought

Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or nearing retirement, your efforts today will shape your future tomorrow. This story isn’t just mine; it’s a reflection of the resilience and perseverance we all share in the hospitality industry.

We will all encounter some surprises as we walk through the hallway of our careers. But the goal is to let it all happen naturally—while being proactive when the next door opens.