Meet Sarah Jones – Senior Business Development Manager from STAAH UK,  who exudes confidence and a warm, social charisma. With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, she’s the go-to expert for all your sales and business development needs.

Tell us a bit about your career in hospitality/ technology and the journey to STAAH

I started my journey in hospitality at the age of 16. My uncle found me a little part-time job as a
friend of his worked at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Norwich, I needed just a few hours a week
whilst I was studying my A-Levels as I wanted to be a Primary School Teacher!
Within 18 months I had worked in every department of the hotel as a General Assistant, I had
completed my NVQ levels 1, 2 & 3 when my manager – Mr Graham Coombes said he needed to get
me on Level 4 (management) as he was promoting me to Trainee Assistant Manager… at the age
of 18 I was in Hotel Management, I was so excited and proud.
From there my journey continued working in various Hotels in Norwich in management roles.
At the age of 27 I decided I was going to have a career change and tried Estate Agency taking on lots
of sales training and property valuation courses… after just 14 months I missed hotels and had to go
back!
So, luckily for me, my old Boss had just bought another hotel meaning he had a small chain of 3
properties. He needed someone to open and manage a central sales and reservations office and that
was me… the perfect fit with my new sales persona and my love of hotels.
From there, I have worked in sales and business development roles for just over 12 years bringing us
to the current day.

I have recently joined STAAH, which again is for me, the perfect fit.
Fully understanding the needs of the hotelier and the effectiveness of online systems and how they
can benefit not just the management, but the team and the guest too. Saving time, making life
easier, better connections and engagement, maximising revenue and the best part… saving on
payroll!
So here I am, ready and very happy to help.

What do you like most about STAAH and your job?

I have already found that it is great to be part of Team STAAH, the support and connection between
us all is great… a very extended family! Everybody is very passionate about their roles and very
happy to be here which I love!

Your success mantra?

My current success mantra is “I am strong, I am confident and I can do anything I put my mind to”
However, I do change this regularly, depending on my goals.

Your interests outside STAAH. Do they help you do your job better?

I am a very social person, which absolutely helps me with my role as it means I am confident and
connect with people easily, I earn trust and respect and reciprocate this. I have a big smile and a
bubbly personality too.
I work hard and I play hard… be it out socialising, power walking or in the gym. I also like to read
business books to help with confidence and to maintain clarity – which reminds me, I have also
started to try meditation.

Connect with Sarah todat at [email protected]