In this exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, we sit down with Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez , President and Founder of MDA Hospitality Solutions. Mary shares her incredible journey from starting her hospitality career at Walt Disney World at 16 to now celebrating 10 years of success with her own company.
Discover her insights on hospitality training, her transformative experiences at top brands like Walt Disney, Loew's Miami Beach, Four Seasons, and Mandarin Oriental, and how she has helped elevate industry standards. Join us as we delve into the importance of training and staying passionate about what you do.
Perfect for hospitality professionals looking for inspiration and actionable tips to boost team satisfaction and operational excellence!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:32 Mary's Journey Begins at Disney
03:18 Rising Through the Ranks at Disney
12:18 Transition to Loew's Miami Beach Hotel
15:49 Experience at Four Seasons Miami
17:52 Joining Mandarin Oriental Miami
22:36 Unexpected Job Offer
23:16 First Executive Role
24:13 Turning Around the Property
26:06 Promotion to Hotel Manager
28:16 Personal Tragedy and Career Shift
29:44 Business Development Consultant
31:47 Founding MDA Hospitality
33:55 Expanding Clientele and Projects
37:25 Current and Future Endeavors
44:51 Advice for Young Professionals
45:36 Conclusion and Contact Information