EO5: From Bartender to C-Suite: Navigating Career Growth, Mentorship, and Resilience with Dr. Kelly Makino

Technically Speaking

In this episode of Technically Speaking, Dr. Kelly Makino, a hospitality operations expert and key executive at Wurzak Hotel Group, takes us on a captivating journey from her beginnings in the service industry to her current leadership role. Kelly shares how her experiences working in restaurants and bars shaped her understanding of hospitality and how she leveraged her passion for the industry to climb the corporate ladder and transform her career. Throughout the conversation, she offers invaluable insights on how to navigate career transitions, embrace personal growth, and the importance of mentorship in achieving success.

In this engaging conversation, Kelly discusses key lessons on:

Career Transitions & Embracing Change: Kelly reflects on her career shifts, from working as a bartender to entering nonprofit management, and how each transition shaped her. She shares how taking risks and trusting her instincts helped her rise through the ranks in hospitality.

Overcoming Early Career Challenges: Kelly talks about the hurdles she faced in her early career, including imposter syndrome and navigating the pressures of balancing a demanding job with personal life. She emphasizes how perseverance and resilience were essential to her growth.

The Power of Mentorship: Kelly underscores the profound impact mentorship has had on her career. She shares how finding the right mentors and developing those relationships early on guided her decisions, and why it’s equally important to give back by mentoring others.

Developing a Resilient Mindset: Kelly explores the mental and physical challenges of working in hospitality and how prioritizing wellness—both physical and emotional—has been key to her long-term success.

Navigating Industry Trends & Future Opportunities: Kelly talks about the evolving hospitality landscape, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, and shares her thoughts on emerging trends and how young professionals can capitalize on new opportunities.

Building Lasting Relationships in Hospitality: Networking has played a vital role in Kelly’s journey. She shares her approach to building meaningful relationships and how those connections have propelled her career forward.

Taking Risks & Learning from Setbacks: Kelly reflects on her own setbacks, including how she learned to embrace failure as a crucial part of her professional development. She offers advice for overcoming self-doubt and using mistakes as stepping stones to success.

Work-Life Balance in Leadership: As a high-level executive, Kelly discusses how she manages the demands of her career while maintaining her personal life, emphasizing the importance of boundaries, time management, and self-care.

Whether you're looking to grow within the hospitality industry, transition careers, or simply gain inspiration from a seasoned leader, Kelly’s journey offers practical insights and inspiration. She encourages listeners to take bold risks, trust in their abilities, and keep pushing forward, even when facing obstacles.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of taking risks and embracing change in your career.
• How mentorship can shape your decision-making and career path.
• Developing resilience and focusing on wellness for long-term success.
• The evolving trends in hospitality and what young professionals should focus on.
• The power of networking and building meaningful relationships.
• Learning from setbacks and taking ownership of your career development.

Listen Now:

Spotify | iTunes

Resources

• For more insights and to connect with Kelly, visit:
• LinkedIn: Kelly Makino
• Wurzak Hotel Group Website: Wurzak Hote