Ashley Chapman on Pink-Barbie Hard-Hat Construction Marketing and Tax-Exempt Booking Strategies

🎙️ From Selling Her First Car at Age Five to Building Community at Staybridge Suites: Ashley Chapman's Journey in Hospitality SalesAshley Chapman, Director of Sales at Staybridge Suites Indianapolis Carmel, shares her journey from growing up as a used car salesman's daughter in Nashville who closed her first sale at five years old, through a divorce that pushed her from stay-at-home mom into hospitality, to building one of the most genuinely community-driven extended stay hotels in Indianapolis. Through candid stories about learning to stop taking rejection personally, the light bulb moment when a CEO couldn't explain why he didn't trust her and she realized the objection wasn't real, and how her extended stay guests gave her so many Christmas presents she had to keep a tally so she could give gifts back, Ashley reveals why extended stay hospitality is less about selling rooms and more about knowing that Miss Peggy likes cowboy boots.✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:Sold her first car at age five at her dad's Cadillac dealership in Nashville by grabbing three sets of keys and asking a customer what color he likedLeft a stay-at-home mom role after divorce when a former charity volunteer told her she had been getting everything for free and would be great in hotel salesExtended stay guests become genuine community, gathering at the lobby island for bingo, card games, and social hours every Monday through WednesdayNever book a hotel room online if you need it for more than a few days, call and ask for the director of sales directly to get 20 to 25 percent off the standard rateMost states make extended stays tax exempt after 30 days, and those accumulated taxes get applied back as a credit giving guests a couple of days freeGetting told no used to terrify her until a CEO could not explain why he would not trust her and she realized if someone cannot give a reason the objection is not realSubscribes every extended stay guest to the hotel's Facebook page personally so renovation updates, water outages, and schedule changes reach them before frustration doesUses AI daily to analyze star reports, write social media posts, and design signage rather than spending hours on manual analysisDopamine dressing in bright colors and bold accessories is a genuine morning ritual that elevates her mood before she even walks into the building🌟 Ashley's Key Mentors:Father: A used car salesman who taught her to read people, find common ground, and open conversations before she was old enough to start kindergartenCharity Volunteer Who Recruited Her: Saw how Ashley had gotten everything donated for free and told her she was a natural for hotel sales, which is how she got her first hospitality roleJoy Underwood (VP of Operations, AHM): Described as the type of woman who makes the path for others, calm and collected, never rattled, and the most resilient woman Ashley has worked withJimmy Taylor (IHG Leader)Revenue Manager Chris Dindal👉 Don't miss this conversation about building real community inside a hotel, why calling the director of sales before you book can save you serious money, and how dopamine dressing became Ashley's secret weapon before 9am.🔗 Connect with Ashley Chapman:LinkedIn: Ashley ChapmanEmail: [email protected]: Staybridge Suites Indianapolis Carmel (IHG Extended Stay Brand)📄 Transcript Available: Ashley Chapman on Pink-Barbie Hard-Hat Construction Marketing and Tax-Exempt Booking Strategies📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com