Career of Convenience Turns Into a Passion of a Lifetime

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – For over a decade, Monique Taylor has worked to build an exceptional career in the hospitality industry.

Taylor serves as the Assistant Director of Rooms at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, where she’s been honored twice as the resort’s leader of the year and has received a prestigious cacique award.

However, she admits, hospitality was not her first career choice.

Monique Taylor – Assistant Director of Rooms, Margaritaville Beach Resort

“That just happened to be a career of opportunity, and a colleague of mine she told me about an opening at the Bahamas Hotel Association in the STEM Department, this was an IDB project for the Inter-Development American Bank, and so she told me about the opportunity, I applied and I was successful.”

With a degree in mass communications, she explains that her passion for hospitality developed over time.

However, she acknowledges that the journey has not been without its challenges.

Monique Taylor – Assistant Director of Rooms, Margaritaville Beach Resort

“So I would find there were times I would make a suggestion, I would say ok maybe we should do things this way, and my male counterparts will come behind me and say the same thing, [then] it was acted upon.”

“And so that made me a bit uncomfortable, so I just re strategized I said to myself, Monique this is what you need to do, speak with more confidence, speak with more clarity and when you walk into a room command the room.”

Another challenge was determining her management style.

Monique Taylor – Assistant Director of Rooms, Margaritaville Beach Resort

“I also looked at myself as an authoritative manager rights. Always get this done get, that done, but in management you have to be collaborative, you have to take off that management hat and work in the field with your team.”

Taylor also has advice for young women who are either already in the industry or aspiring to join it.

Monique Taylor – Assistant Director of Rooms, Margaritaville Beach Resort

“Service and strategy would be my advice, we all can connect with our guest, we all can create memorable experiences. But the strategy part of the hospitality field requires to understand your financials.”

“Learn to ready your PNL, learn to understand what it is to ready a report. And I think together you have your service component, and your strategy together – it makes a powerful combination.”