GROWING as a professional in the hospitality industry takes patience, commitment, and a desire to provide a positive customer engagement experience each and every time in order to deliver the highest quality of service.

The required training for this industry oftentimes comes with years of study, bolstered by the right attitude. Nashane Facey, hostess at Beaches Ocho Rios, is in her tenth year with Sandals and Beaches resorts and has found her niche, growing professionally while doing something she loves.

Having started with the Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in 2012 as a member of the Hospitality Training Programme (HTP), Nashane was assigned to the food and beverage department. Upon completion of the internship she was offered employment in that area, which she considers her passion especially since she honed these skills from her high school days at Tacky High in St Mary.

"When I was offered the opportunity to start my hospitality career at Sandals Ochi, this was my dream job. While in high school my most loved subject area was food and nutrition, and to get the opportunity to be placed in a similar department at a Sandals resort was heavenly," said Facey shared.

"As faith would have it, even after leaving the company for a short period I returned to the family when I accepted another position at Beaches Ocho Rios, still within the same food and beverage department. I simply love the many opportunities for growth that this department offers.

"Joining the team as a server provided the best opportunity to grow and understand the operations and values of the company. It got even better when, with the encouragement of my managers and the Learning and Development Department, I enrolled in the Sandals Corporate University. To date I have completed almost 20 courses which have empowered me even more in my field," added Facey.

She has received certifications as a department trainer, in self-leadership, coaching and mentoring, managing workplace anxiety, handling difficult customers, and supervisory management. Having also done training in the Kids Camp, she holds a level two Certificate in Early Childhood Education as well.

"Working with Sandals and Beaches has been the most rewarding experience that I have had in my professional life. The company provides training for all its team members, especially with work-life exposure to the different resorts throughout the Caribbean. For me, the biggest advantage is the ability to cross-train in different areas of the industry while working in my main area. I have had that privilege to work at resorts in Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which makes me more marketable as I continue to grow.

"Through my journey my mentors have been a great support, and I have to give many thanks to Jerome Shaw, current restaurant manager, whose guidance and support has given me the drive to believe in my talent," Facey said.

For Beaches Ocho Rios's Hotel Manager John Miles it is Facey's positive attitude which allows her to shine.

"Nashane is one of those team members with the right attitude — displaying the willingness to learn new skills and be a team player. She leads by example. She has gained extensive knowledge while working at various Sandals and Beaches resorts and she has broadened her scope for development. Her commitment to the industry and the resort is exemplary and consistently displayed in how she leads her team and her interactions with the guests. She is simply a star," said Miles.

In the meantime, restaurant supervisor at Beaches Ocho Rios, Sashane Campbell described Facey as "a gem of a team player".

"We have had the chance to do interim support work at Beaches Turks and Caicos, and this experience is a major standout point for us as she showed her ability to adapt to the culture and excelled in her different tasks. She is one of those persons who never misses an opportunity to undertake a new certificate course and also encourage others to do so to improve their qualifications within the industry."