Daily Inspiration: Meet Holly Carpenter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Carpenter.

Hi Holly; I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started in the hospitality industry when I turned 16. My dad took me to our local IHOP and told me to get a job. But in reality, my journey began much earlier. I grew up around events, thanks to my mother, who loved planning parties and gatherings with family and friends, always with a great theme. As a child, I thought I would become an elementary school teacher. However, when I got to college, I realized that might not be my calling. I stumbled into an Intro to Hospitality class after a conversation with the Hospitality advisor, and I never looked back. I love meeting people and hearing their stories, so serving tables, working the front desk of a hotel, or planning events always felt natural to me. My transition into sales happened when I noticed the sales team at the hotel where I worked got to go out for lunch while I was eating a cold sandwich and checking guests out. This sparked my interest in sales, and I was fortunate to meet a leader willing to teach and train me. My career took off, and I worked at places like the Historic Hotel Northampton, where I planned over 180 weddings a year. Eventually, I moved to Nashville and began creating my own brand without realizing it. I take pride in being the go-to person for industry contacts or dinner recommendations, which led to the creation of Carpenter Hospitality Co. Since starting CHC in 2022, our services have evolved based on client needs and expectations. We continue to grow and adapt, always aiming to meet the ever-changing demands of our clients.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would love to meet someone who says starting their business was smooth. I have developed a speaking topic around being an entrepreneur and what I wish I had known before starting my business. Initially, we would offer fractional sales services for businesses in the hospitality industry. We started strong with several clients right out of the gate. However, we encountered challenges, such as outreach to the same businesses for various clients, which needed clarification. Another personal obstacle has been finances. As a full-time single mother of a 3-year-old boy, I cover all my expenses independently. Working for yourself means dedicating a significant portion of your income to taxes, operating costs, and health insurance. When I started, I had a financial cushion, but I launched the business sooner than planned. If I could do it again, I would ensure a larger cushion or work part-time while building the business.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Carpenter Hospitality Co’s primary focus is identifying what tasks and responsibilities consume a business owner’s time and energy and offering solutions to relieve them of these burdens. This often includes sales coaching, finding the best CRM (customer relationship management) system for their business, or updating their current system with templates and automation. We also provide project management for events, primarily for non-profits. This past year, we started a partnership with Tripleseat Software. We offer migration services for BEOs (Banquet Event Orders), notes, and contact information when companies switch from a previous CRM to Tripleseat. We are known for having a finger on the pulse of the Nashville hospitality industry and expanding our presence in other markets like Orlando, Chicago, and Austin. My experience in the Nashville hospitality industry for over 15 years sets us apart. I have witnessed the city’s growth, understand its growing pains, and know its key market players.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
One of my mom’s favorite stories is that I’ve never met a stranger. This included talking to trees outside and creating different voices for all my stuffed animals, making it sound like there were 25 other people in my room at once. I loved going to our summer home as a child, where I met lifelong friends who nurtured my love for relationship building from an early age. Growing up within walking distance of Long Island Sound, my passion for the beach began when I was young. It became my place to rest and relax, a habit I still cherish.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: carpenterhospitalityco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carpenterhospitalityco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-carpenter/

Image Credits
Tina Gionis for the ones that are labeled with her name, others are Riley Summers.