20 questions...

1. How did you get into your current job?

I started as a professional within the hotel revenue and sales sector working within customer and client orientated environments for large UK and international hotel groups including Macdonald Hotels Group, Jumeirah International within the UAE and, my longest length of service to date, with Hilton Hotels Corporation. After just over eight years I decided to leave and set-up my own venture to focus on the corporate travel, incentive, conference and events market which would allow me to use many of the skills, systems and techniques I had learnt during my time within the hospitality industry.

2. What's the best bit about it?

Whether you’re a concierge in a hotel, or a kitchen porter, or even if you’re involved in management, every time you come into work you’re making someone's day that little bit better. Your business is all about people. It’s not solely about widgets or spreadsheets - it’s about making people happy. Every country in the world has a hospitality industry, and the skills you learn are readily transferable, meaning that a career in hospitality can very easily be the key to discovering new countries, new culture and new people like I did along my journey.

3. What was your first Saturday job?

A waiter in an Indian restaurant. I worked on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the summer holidays. I always worked more hours as it was located in a busy seaside resort in west Wales. My motivation wasn’t so much the extra pocket money but my passion to meet people and to work… I loved to work even from a young age.

4. Describe your ideal job?

What I am doing right now! In any workplace, there are always colleagues you don't get on with, and one or two who are a bit unfriendly, but the good news is that not many work in hospitality. We don’t hire people who are unfriendly to our customers, which is why the hospitality industry contains some of the most vibrant, lively and fun people you’ll ever meet making my job that bit more ideal and enjoyable.

5. What motivates you?

This may sound a little bizarre I guess but so many things motivate me I will even get motivated by an ant. We can learn many things from an ant. It searches for an alternate way when it meets an obstacle and it never turns back. It has discipline and foresight. It knows that it won't get food in the rainy season, so it collects the food in advance in summer. Last but not the least, it feels failure is the first step of success. It won't give up until it reaches its goal.

I am motivated by people and creativity. You are creating a product — be that food, drink, or an experience — and there's always scope to dream up new ways of making it more enjoyable for your customers and guests which always gets me excited.

6. What irritates you?

I really find it hard when people complain or get upset over failure and dwell on it. Ultimately we all have things that haven’t gone right but what’s important is to keep going until you reach your goals. I suppose the whole philosophy of “never give up”.

7. Who do you admire most in business?

Sir Richard Branson. He is someone who doesn’t give up. He has had many knocks through his career and has a real passion for business and to succeed… I find his love of business infectious and a real motivator to succeed. I think Sir Richard Branson is a true entrepreneur.

8. What was the last book you read and what did you think?

This is going to sound a little sad but I read Lord Sugar’s autobiography recently and again all I can say is inspirational!

9. What do you do to relax?

I love television especially programmes like Junior Apprentice, The Apprentice, documentaries. I love the cinema and have a real passion for music of all genres. I also am a bit of a foodie – I love fine dining and good wine too.

10. What dreams are you still to achieve?

I have so many things to still achieve and as for dreams – do we ever stop dreaming?

11. What was the last film you saw at the cinema and what did you think?

Mrs Brown’s Boys. All I can say is “That’s nice”…

12. Favourite food and place to eat it?

It’s not around the corner but I love Buddha Bar Dubai at the Grovesnor House Hotel. This is a truly majestic establishment located at the heart of the Dubai marina, inside the luxurious Grosvenor House hotel. The two-storied restaurant is one of the largest from among Buddha-Bars worldwide.

The dining room is impressively spacious, with sumptuous overhanging red and gold chandeliers. The large bay windows provide an exceptional view of the Marina, offering guests a dining experience that takes them on a magical journey. This is a hip hotspot and has become the place to be for Dubai residents and visitors to the country. The food and cocktails not to forget service level is out of this world.

13. What car do you drive?

Yikes! This has always been one of my failings I have always been so busy with education or work that I have never learnt to drive. Every year I say this will be the year but hopefully I will get it under my belt in 2014.

14. What's in your car CD player?

See above!

15. What's your favourite TV programme old or new?

Wow - this is hard there are so many programmes I like. I did really love Hotel Babylon when it was on BBC as it really did remind me of what did used to go on within hotels and the hospitality industry.

16: Do you tweet?

Absolutely – I am now twitter mad, must admit I found this one harder to get my head around than face book or linked in but I can now say I am truly addicted. My twitter is @ViaggioUK

17: If you were an animal what would you be?

A bunny

18: Proudest moment?

Becoming Employee of the Year for Hilton Cardiff and Employee of the Year for Hilton UK & Ireland. I felt like I had won an Oscar.

19: And most embarrassing?

Falling asleep on the train when leaving the Hilton South West cluster office and ending up in Salisbury, which meant I missed my dad’s birthday. It got worse thought because I'd also left my wallet on my works desk…

20: What advice would you give to someone wanting to be successful in your line of work?

Ensure you work hard are committed, dedicated and listen to others. Also as Conrad Hilton reportedly said: “It is impossible for a man to live without having some preconceived idea of where his life is going. As far back as I can remember I was marked with the sign of enthusiasm. With enthusiasm to propel me, and prayer to shield me, I can say that I like what I’ve done with my life. Inevitably, with such attributes, it is difficult not to lead a full, active, happy life. Give a man the ambition to spur him on, the faith to guide him, and the good health to allow him to fulfil his potential, and he will, in one form or another, achieve success.”