Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose O’Malley.
Rose, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a toddler I had the pleasure of taking some of my first steps in my parent’s banquet hall. When my Father left the hospitality industry, over 20 years ago, he sold his half of the business to his partner and best friend to follow in my mother’s footsteps and became an Attorney. Even as a child I would be asked not, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, but “are you going to be a lawyer like your parents?” Nope, I followed in my Father’s footsteps and I began working as a banquet server for special events and functions as a teen. I was also working for restaurants as a teen and during college, so I was able to see both sides of the service industry at a very young age and also as a young adult. I had a number of different jobs in my life and a short film career. When I was working as a financial coordinator my dear friend and co -worker was attacked and suffered a life altering brain injury. We had worked together for over ten years at the same banquet hall. We worked almost every weekend together through high school and college. Although we had full time jobs at the time of his accident, we still worked almost every weekend together and he was my right hand. Working as a co-organizer for his fundraiser, I found myself questioning why I wasn’t doing what I clearly loved every day and why my weekend hobby wasn’t my career. I then began the journey to where I am today. I realized through trial and error where my heart was and what within the industry I wanted. I loved the production, design and meaning of events. That I could make people happy, make a difference and create experiences. It is a very amazing day when you can turn to yourself and say that you have spent the majority of your life working towards your career and you never knew it. Because I loved the work so much and the people and places I was working for, it wasn’t work. I am very blessed to say I feel the same way today and as I continue to learn and grow in this field I find excitement at every turn and that is extremely comforting and rewarding.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road so far has been pretty smooth, but definitely filled with twists and turns. I would not have it any other way. The road blocks, struggles, and challenges are what have made me the hospitality-business person I am today. Countless times I have been faced with an obstacle and changed it into an opportunity. I have been successful with this only because I have learned from so many past experiences that taught me how. Finding exactly what my niche was within the hospitality business has probably been one of the biggest struggles, but in my heart I always knew I was meant to work for a hotel. I knew I wanted to work in Sales, yet I needed to fall in love with what I was selling, and I knew more than anything I wanted to sell experiences. Whether it be a vacation, celebration or a wedding I am dedicated and enthusiastic about creating a great experience. I never forget the struggles that brought me to the road of my current success, and the passion I have for the industry that gets me going every morning.
Please tell us about The Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites.
As a hotel Sales Manager, I wear many hats throughout the day. Selling, negotiating and closing business is a daily process along with processing current client requests and responding to prospective client inquiries. Just as dedicated to selling hotel guest rooms, social events, corporate meetings and conventions, there is one area in this field I am not only dedicated to, but I specialize in. I am not quite sure why or how, because I have never been married or engaged, but I somehow was born with what I call a bride gene. Weddings are my thing and I am known to be able to not only anticipate a bride’s needs, but to develop a trusting relationship through the planning process and be a pillar of knowledge, calm and strength through everything in between. I protect my couples and brides like no other and I am very proud of that attribute and gift. I love everything about the wedding planning process and I love watching the hard work of myself and my team come to life on a couples wedding day. Creating and selling an experience of a wedding venue to a couple is something I have found so fulfilling and is a true honor. There are no do overs for a couple’s big day and that never loses its importance for me. I am so proud to whole heartedly sell a product that I know is the best. Every venue, hotel and couple are different and seeing a prospective couples eyes light up when we talk about the possibility of their wedding at the hotel, to me, is the stuff dreams are made of.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, if my mind was erased of all wedding knowledge and my experience gone, I would start the same way I did over ten years ago. With emotion, determination, passion and hard work. I will say that despite the ups and downs, I can’t imagine starting over as anything, but a wonderful challenge and an exciting venture. When I think really hard about what I would’ve done differently in the past, one thing comes to mind. Remember that every event and especially every wedding day flies by. I would take the advice I give to almost every bride when they are about to walk down the aisle to forever. “Take a deep breath, walk slowly, take everything in. Every smile, emotion and sound leading you to your forever, is now”. Really and truly embracing the moments while experiencing them is a hard thing to do when you are keeping things on time, but most times I wasn’t able to, I always wish I had. Luckily for me, they came up with something called videography.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites
225 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970 - Website: www.salemwaterfronthotel.com
- Phone: 978.740.8788
- Email: info@salemwaterfronthotel.com
Image Credit:
Metzger Photography Studios
Sound City Entertainment
Newburry Photogrpahy
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