Since 1911, International Women’s Day is observed to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history. RVC Outdoor Destinations is dedicated to providing equal opportunities. To encourage young professionals to consider the hospitality industry as a viable career choice, we have interviewed four team members who are rocking various leadership roles across our business! Here is what they had to say:
Gladys McGowan
“Always approach each workday with a sense of urgency. Remain focused, free from distractions, and fired up with a passion for what you love to do. Always strive hard to unlock your full potential in the workforce so that you can make something good happen as you forge ahead, filling the world and your life with great hope!”
What qualities make a good leader?
A good leader is one with a vision, exemplary character, and who can persuade others to follow their leadership to achieve great possibilities.
Tell me about your history with RVC Outdoor Destinations.
I am currently the Office Manager for our support center in Memphis, Tennessee, but I have indeed ‘sported’ many different hats during my tenure. My professional career path allowed me to witness the inception of RVC Outdoor Destinations.
What woman has inspired your life the most?
My mother serves as my inspiration because she instilled in me a value system that continues to influence me daily.
If you could meet anyone, male or female, living or dead, who would you want to achieve?
Maya Angelou, because they share similar physical features.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would want to learn to play the Piano excellently.
What was the first thing that you bought for yourself with the money that you earned on your own?
An expensive pair of shoes that I could not afford until I was able to pay for them myself.
What is your favorite thing about being a woman?
My favorite thing about being a woman is being endowed with the instinct and compassion that graces women.
What advice would you give to a young professional who is looking to make a career in the Hospitality Industry?
In looking towards the future, as with any career path that one might choose, be true to yourself, be committed, and never be afraid to accept a new challenge.
Denise Yeatman
“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on.”
What qualities make a good leader?
Dedication, compassion, being open to new ideas and practices, are the qualities of a good leader. I feel that a woman is as equally qualified as a man to succeed in this industry. As a leader, I also wouldn’t expect or ask anyone to do something that I wasn’t willing to do myself.
Tell me about your history with RVC Outdoor Destinations.
I am currently the General Manager at Pine Mountain RV Resort in Pine Mountain, Georgia. She began her career at RVC twelve years ago as a part-time Front Desk Team Member.
What woman has inspired your life the most?
My biggest inspiration is my mother! My mother was a hard worker, and no matter how busy she was, she always found time to spend with Denise and her sisters (5 girls)!
If you could meet anyone, male or female, living or dead, who would you want to meet?
Meeting Princess Diana would be a dream come true!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Learning how to dance would be a skill that I would love to learn.
What was the first thing that you bought for yourself with the money that you earned on your own?
Brand new tires for my 1976 Camaro!
What is your favorite thing about being a woman?
My favorite thing about being a woman is being capable of being both a mother and a Grandmother.
What advice would you give to a young professional who is looking to make a career in the Hospitality Industry?
Many amazing experiences are waiting for you. To be most successful in this industry, you need to focus on staying current with trends and remain open to change.
Kris Straub
“Try not to become a person of success, but a person of value.” Albert Einstein
What qualities make a good leader?
A good leader creates a culture where others feel appreciated and valued. Leaders inspire others with their passion, integrity, and humility. They communicate clearly and are resilient, and aren’t afraid of hard work or getting their hands dirty. A good leader is a person whose steps are worth following.
Tell me about your history with RVC Outdoor Destinations.
I am the General Manager at Mountain Springs Cabins in Asheville, North Carolina.
What woman has inspired your life the most?
So many women have inspired me over the years from Harriet Tubman and Amelia Earhart to Nancy Lublin and my Nana. Though very different, each of these women has exhibited so much strength, fortitude, and passion for others, life, and their causes.
If you could meet anyone, male or female, living or dead, who would you want to meet?
I would want to meet Jesus. He is the ultimate servant leader and very worthy of following.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
If I could learn to do anything, it would be to fly because flying is so powerful and freeing!
What was the first thing that you bought for yourself with the money that you earned on your own?
I worked and saved my pennies during high school. My first major purchase was a car during my Freshman year in College. It was a proud moment for me.
What is your favorite thing about being a woman?
She loves being a woman because she can be ambitious and strong and, at the same time, nurturing and vulnerable. She can be anything that she wants to be, and she can wear many hats and do it successfully!
What advice would you give to a young professional who is looking to make a career in the Hospitality Industry?
Be humble and willing to learn, ask lots of questions, and be prepared to pay your dues. Also, choose a career path that makes you want to get up in the morning.
Stacie Spain
“A successful life is not something you simply pursue; it is something that you create, moment by moment. Make the impossible possible and enjoy the experience.”
What qualities make a good leader?
Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. While there are many qualities of a good leader, the three biggest are sincere passion and enthusiasm, integrity, and loyalty. People can recognize insincerity from a mile away, so don’t even go there. Give proper credit for accomplishments, acknowledging mistakes, and put safety and quality first. Leaders understand that true loyalty is reciprocal. They ensure that all team members have the training and resources to do their job, and they are willing to stand up for team members during crisis and conflict.
Tell me about your history with RVC Outdoor Destinations.
I am the Social Media Manager for RVC Outdoor Destinations and am based out of our support center in Memphis, Tennessee. Being able to work with all of RVC Outdoor Destinations Resorts in some capacity has been a blessing.
What woman has inspired your life the most?
My mother inspires me the most. She has been there for me since day one and is my very first and longest-standing best friend. The most inspiring message that she taught me was that “Patience is the difference in your dreams coming true or not. Keep working hard and hang in there.” I still struggle with that lesson daily.
If you could meet anyone, male or female, living or dead, who would you want to meet?
Meeting Amelia Earhart would be the highlight of my life. Her story is one of both success and tragedy and FULL of adventure. She soared through the clouds (literally) and journeyed to the top. Amelia wasn’t deterred by naysayers that told her that she couldn’t achieve her dreams. Her message to other women was that “the woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune.”
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Learning to play the Fiddle has been on my bucket list for a very long time. I began my musical journey about 11 months ago, while it will be a while before I can be confident about this new skill set, and I won’t back down from the challenge!
What was the first thing that you bought for yourself with the money that you earned on your own?
While I was in high school, I worked on a farm that hosted children’s birthday parties, offered riding lessons and summer pony camps. With my first paycheck, I bought ice cream/milkshakes for myself and my friends at our favorite Friday night hangout “the Dip.”
What is your favorite thing about being a woman?
Women are full of passion, and we are so multi-dimensional with our emotions and insight. Our internal connections run so deep that we can understand what each other is feeling without even saying a word. We refuse to take no for an answer, and if there is not a straight path leading us to our destination, we will create our own way. While we do have for International Women’s Day to celebrate “Us,” I am happy to have friends and colleagues that I can celebrate with each and every day!!
What advice would you give to a young professional who is looking to make a career in the Hospitality Industry?
Communication is key. Help your colleagues along the way, even if the task is not in your job description and always go the extra mile. Being a trustworthy team player is also crucial.
Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of women everywhere for International Women’s Day. The future is full of unknown possibilities. Still, the struggle to be taken seriously, gender discrimination, equal pay, stereotyping, and having access to equal opportunity is still looming out there for women worldwide. The biggest challenge to women of the future is to stay true to who they are and not feel the need to be something they are not. Education is the key to the future!
#EachForEqual #InternationalWomensDay2020
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