Service Heart Spotlight: Karen Cavanaugh
Our Director of Operations sat down with our team in 2014 when she was running our Boston office. Take a look back at Karen’s original answers here - along with an update of how things may have changed in the parentheses!
1. How long have you been working with At Your Service? I first started working with AYS in early 2011.
2. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Dudley, MA - a fun town with one heck of a Strawberry Festival!
3. What’s your Alma Mater? I attended Assumption College in Worcester, MA - go hounds!
4. What attracted you to the hospitality industry? What I love about the hospitality industry is that there is never a dull moment - and that no two days are the same! Working in this industry keeps you on your toes - I love the constant surprises it has to offer!
5. What’s your favorite part of working with At Your Service? My favorite part about working with AYS is the people - the people I work with in the office, the team that supports us in the field and the clients that we have the pleasure of sending our team out to. Plus, getting to check in staff at the most beautiful locations in the city is pretty amazing too! (My favorite part, 6 years later, is still the people. We have the best team in the business!)
6. What do you do outside of work? Outside of work, I love to go for hikes, head out on a run and spend time with family and friends. With winter coming, ice fishing will be back on the weekend to do list as well - a new hobby of mine, but it's surprisingly a ton of fun! (My running days have been exchanged for walking my dog and yoga! Now that I am a mom, my outside of work time is mostly spent taking care of my 1 year old daughter - Lucy!)
7. Which is your favorite AYS location to visit? I am lucky enough to get to visit all of our locations somewhat regularly, but I have to tip my hat to DC - there is nothing like doing a check in down the street from the White House or taking a client meeting near the Kennedy Center. Our nation's capital has so much to see, so every time I get there it is a new experience - and I love that! (We have opened Chicago since this was first posted and I have to add it to the list of must visit AYS locations!)
8. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Canada - I will always travel to Canada. I have family on both sides of the country, so any opportunity to get back to visit them I have to jump on. A close second would be a return trip to either Costa Rica or Nashville - both were such amazing trips (though very different, of course), that I would jump at the chance to go back to either spot for a second go round. (I would still go to Canada - and still do every summer!)
9. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day of work? After a long day of work, we find the best way to unwind is actually with each other - a quick chit chat about the highlights of our day always make for good energy as we head off on our way. And for those particularly long days, a nice seasonal craft beer (hello, pumpkin!) can go a long way! (When I am home, I unwind with some dinner and playtime with Lucy! When she’s in bed, I like to pop open a bottle of wine - red is still my favorite years later!)