HI,
I AM ABDUL ABOUSHADI
NOT YOUR TYPICAL LEADER
BIO
Personal Profile
From a young age I've always been driven to learn more about the world around me. One thing I learned is to go out there, find my purpose, and get things done without compromise. I also learned that you either follow someone else's standard, or you set the standard by which others are measured. I follow the latter approach.
My purpose is to create memories for myself and for others. Memories that will change our lives and leave a lasting impact on those whose paths we cross. It is a simple purpose, and the most fulfilling thing I can do. Money comes and goes, health can change, and we all age. But memories - they stay and get passed on, and nothing can take them away from you and those you love.
MY EXPERIENCE
Background & Expertise
FINANCIAL ACUMEN
The foundation of a successful leader is having a masterful command of the organization's financial goals and ability to leverage its resources to get the results we need. I pride myself in driving revenue - increasing RevPARs through maximizing occupancy, raising rates based on having an ever-improving product quality, and world-class service that commands the price. I have experience revamping our operational procedures to eliminate redundant roles, establish accountability and incentive programs to improve team productivity, as well as cut and renegotiate expenses to realize significant savings without hurting the quality of the operation.
I'm a believer in finding financial opportunities that others may not think possible. For instance, partnering with other businesses to leverage each of our resources. Past examples are working with a Starbucks vendor to take over a lobby space to renovate it and create a top-notch cafe at no cost to our business but that reaps the benefits of revenue driven by that business and renting space to them; another example is working with the big four cellular service providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint to install 5G access points within the Resorts not only with zero cost to the Hotel despite the million dollar investment but in fact structuring the deal to make revenue from the deal. The list goes on, but I've partnered with Tesla in the past to provide us free charging stations for the use of our Guests, as well as partnering with the City to give us hundreds of thousands in rebates for improvement projects in lighting, and heating.
HOTEL & RESORT LEADERSHIP
April 2017 - Current
The most fun a leader can have! From negotiating million dollar deals, to selecting and leading top industry talent to be part of my team, I run my Resorts and Hotels like they're my own, and like a nimble start-up that is innovative, delivers world-class service, and that's a great place to work. I don't simply 'manage' the business. I create a culture within my Resorts and Hotels; I develop programs and habits that reinforce world-class culture; I establish processes that make exceeding KPI inevitable; and I elevate the people around me.
GENERAL MANAGER - PEACOCK SUITES
May 2014 - April 2017
This is where I cut my teeth as the Executive Leader of a Hotel in the largest Hospitality Company in the US. Loved the challenge of taking a Hotel that had struggled with meeting KPI but had so much potential, to being recognized as one of the highest performers financially, in Guest Experience, Team Engagement, creativity, and outside the box thinking. We became an Employer of Choice in our Region, and set the standard for our Region to follow.
RISING THROUGH THE RANKS
January 2004 - May 2014
Younger me started off in Hospitality as a Night Auditor at a Holiday Inn. I loved it instantly, and kept growing and learning front of the house, back of the house, and F&B. I rose to Guest Service Manager, Housekeeping Manager, and Assistant General Manager. These formative years of long hours in the trenches in various roles showed me the power of hands-on knowledge, and how to earn the respect of a team. I also learned how to lead, how to listen to my team, and how to solve big problems. I am grateful to all my mentors who believed in me each step and each position I was entrusted with. Without them the journey would have been harder and longer.
EDUCATION
From Bioengineering to Business Entrepreneurship
My education has not only provided the foundation for the rest of my experiences, but has also made me a lifelong learner who is eager to gain more skills and knowledge.
2000-2004
I studied Bioengineering because I enjoy science, and I'm futuristic in how I think. What I learned is that I'm also a social creature, and a natural leader. I kept my love of science and forward thinking, and merged it with my love for leadership, people, and creativity. I found out my passion in Hospitality because I could be scientific, mathematical, social, creative, a designer, a businessman, and a leader.
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During my college years my best friend and I create a non-profit Organization to lobby Congress. It was during these years that I realized that one person alone cannot accomplish everything, but a group of believers in a cause can create action. Click "The Guardian" banner below for an old, very, very, old link to an article about our nascent group back in those college days.
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“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”