The Binder, the Castle, and the Little White Chevy Cavalier

A glimpse into the way I’ve always approached the things that matter most.

The Curveball That Changed My Plan

I had originally planned everything out to go to Alabama for college. That was the dream. i was living with my mom in Georgia that summer right after graduating high school. The day before I was supposed to leave to go to freshman orientation at the University of Alabama, I got the news that I wouldn’t be able to attend. Financial stuff. A total curveball. Everything I had worked toward the past couple of years of high school (because if you know me, you know I had a plan) — fell apart. Honestly looking back I could have gotten loans, but I was bent on coming out of college debt free so I didn't consider it an option.

The next day, I was already pivoting hard and decided to find a job and raise the money myself over the next two months of summer to pay for the fall semester of college at a community college. I walked over to the pool at my mom’s apartment complex where we were living and approached a woman I had chatted with before — she was the sales manager at a Renaissance resort on Lake Lanier Islands. I asked if they were hiring.

They were. Pool-side waitresses. "That works!" I thought and I started working there within a couple days.

Hustling with a Fossil Watch Box

I worked at that resort as a poolside waitress the summer after my senior year. I worked all summer. Sometimes four days in a row, 9 AM to midnight. I took every shift they would give me as long as they would let me work. I saved my tips every single day and stuffed the cash in a little tin Fossil watch box.

I was saving to pay for college that fall, which was quickly approaching. It was an hour’s drive to the resort from the apartments my mom and I lived in — I was exhausted. But it was FUN, and it was a challenge. And I could make GOOD money.

I was great at waitressing. I could anticipate guests’ needs. I was what they needed me to be. Not over-attentive if they were lost in deep talks. A "finger-gunning" entertainer for the ones that wanted that. And I was laser-focused. I was going to college in the fall, and I would have the cash to pay for it — so help me.

The Sales Manager & The Spark

After a couple of weeks working at the poolside bar and getting to observe the sales manager here and there — and researching what they could make... hospitality? Sales? Well... that is me! And Marriott had a culture of promoting from within. I knew I could climb. I decided I wanted to work for Marriott and be a sales manager at a large resort.

But my first mission? College.

Loans never even entered my mind. And financially, it had to be me to pay for it all plus cost of living and anything else although rent and utilities were taken care of for the time being which was obviously huge. So... I only had the summer. I knew if I "took a semester off," I would never go. And I was going to get a degree.

Birmingham, a Castle, and a Phone Call

College for me was Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham... and it’s not like over here at East Mississippi Community College where your ACT score could easily get you a full ride plus books (I did take advantage of that later!). I was going to have to pay fully for that semester - and cover books. And support myself on basic bills that I had.

So with College being in Birmingham — but me living in Georgia at the time and my new goal and passion for all things Marriott (I loved the company culture there SO much!) ... well, now I had a problem. I had to keep working full-time while going to school in order to be able to live. And I KNEW I wanted to be the head of sales for a big resort -specifically for Marriott, because I loved the company culture.

But I thought to myself... well, there are NO resorts in Birmingham, AL - but maybe I could find a nice Marriott hotel downtown...

Still, I Googled nonetheless. And then I saw it. A giant, beautiful Scottish castle. NEW. Also Renaissance, just like the resort I was working at then on Lake Lanier Islands. And they weren’t open yet???

I saw a number listed and picked up the phone and called it. They got me in touch with HR. They said tomorrow was the LAST day of a 3-day job fair. I decided I could drive over from Georgia to Birmingham the next morning and go to an interview for a waitress position in their fine dining restaurant.

The Binder

I stayed up almost all night researching EVERYTHING about Marriott. Everything I could find about the resort. The managers’ names and titles, every article written about the resort, a deep dive into Marriott company culture... everything.

I printed a ton, organized it into a binder, and studied. It was tabbed with dividers and sections and my notes, and LOTS of pages - printed in color from my mom’s printer, of course. I’m sure I killed a whole tree all by myself that night.

I got up early and drove my little white Cavalier from Georgia to Birmingham and pulled up to one of the three big houses they were operating out of at that time.

I got into the interview and at some point, the manager asked what my binder was about. I told him, explaining what all I was learning. He asked to see it, and as I explained, he flipped through it. He then closed it abruptly, laughed, handed it back to me, and said,
"Yeah, you’re hired."

Why This Still Matters

I have always been that way - a researcher.

If I am excited about something or even scared - I go into research mode. Because I care, and to be known and understood denotes genuine care and investment to me.

It also means alignment, accuracy, and information handled correctly can be powerful. I have to see if we align - if what the company stands for resonates with me - and once I know we do, well, then I have to learn everything I can to be the best I can be.

I see all this even today as I put a meeting on my calendar for a potential client. One that was saying key words that made my ears perk up. And as I read the "About Us" section on their website, and understood we VERY much align on how to treat customers and many other things - well... now I'm on board.

And that means I’ve gotta go learn everything. Because you and me - our values line up. So now I can do the best job by getting all the information.

And That’s the Difference

I can promise you this: no canned coaching program that has you on the books for a first-time "discovery call" has a 12-page document of research and insights BEFORE even meeting for the first time and BEFORE you even fill out the questionnaire...

But I do.

Maybe that’s insane.
Maybe it’s a waste of time.
Maybe it’s my genius.

But it is what I have always done - and what I always will do. And these days I have vowed to give to givers. To companies and owners who do right by their customers and right by their employees and who want to succeed while staying true to their values.

That drive and excitement of finding a company that fits the bill- means I gotta learn about you. Because when I take the time to understand the WHOLE picture- things actually get moving. All the data points are plotted out and I can clearly see the picture enough to figure out the best way forward to help you get where you want to be. It’s why the Three Phases of my Process now in consulting are Investigate. Strategize. Execute.

I will not skip investigate. To have all the pieces of the puzzle means you can strategize - which just means knowing current state of the company well and knowing the future or desired state (enter a 3-year vivid vision) - and then figuring out the barriers in the way, where to START, and how to get people motivated and onboard enough to do the things that need to be done to get to that desired state - as a team. NOT just throwing videos and a template at you and wondering why you're still stuck.

If you’re building something meaningful and want someone who treats your business with that level of care, depth, and conviction - maybe unhealthy obsession- I’m probably your person.