In the latest installment of The Layover, we caught up with My Place Hotels Director of Brand Management Michele White as we discuss the ins-and-outs of Brand Management, dive deep into the most meaningful moments of Michele’s time at My Place HQ, and even get a little bit personal!
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is the fact that it is never monotonous and that there is never enough time in a day. I love to be busy!
What is the most meaningful trip you’ve ever taken in your life?
My mom took my entire family on a 10-day cruise to islands in the Caribbean and it was awesome to all be together to experience it! (Especially with no cell service!)
What’s your approach to challenges?
I try to think outside of the box, especially in our environment. I’ve learned not to be afraid to create a new process or resource that makes life easier.
Do you have any interesting nicknames?
My family and some of my friends call me Belle. When I worked at my previous job, a coworker called me “Belle” and another coworker thought she heard “Cowbell,” which ended up sticking for some odd reason. “More cowbell!”
What is the most exciting opportunity you have had so far at My Place HQ?
The overall advancement opportunity available to employees at My Place HQ is exciting to me. In my 4 ½ years with My Place I have worked in three different positions that have helped me grow personally and professionally.
What is the best advice you’ve ever given your daughters?
I was 18 when I had my first daughter and know all too well that you must work hard for the life that you want. Anything is possible if you’re willing to work for it and, most likely, that will involve stepping out of your comfort zone.
Imagine it’s a rainy day outside and you have the day off, how would you spend your day inside?
Easiest question to answer. I would find some sort of scary movie or paranormal reality TV show to watch and veg on the couch with a blanket. There would definitely be a nap involved, too.
If you could swap places with any My Place HQ team member for a day, who would it be and why?
I would love to switch places with one of the Design team members because they work magic and being able to do everything they do on a daily basis would be AWESOME!
Explain the value of Brand Management in two sentences:
Brand Management is the heart of any brand and involves ensuring ongoing consistency, research and development, and being proactive rather than reactive. For me, it’s remembering that our franchisees chose My Place for a reason and we must uphold their expectations.
Where do you see My Place in 10 years?
I see My Place being the most recognized brand in the U.S., with hotels in other countries. (and me being sure to tell everyone I was there towards the beginning.)
How many Legos do you think it would take to build a full-scale replica of a My Place Hotel?
100,000,000 Legos, for sure!
What is your favorite season?
Spring!
If you could only listen to three songs for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
- The World I Know – Collective Soul
- Pillar of Davidson – Live
- November Rain – Guns N Roses
Kind of random, but each generates a memory and are the first three songs that came to mind.
Where do you think the next #MyPlaceCon should take place?
Nashville!
If you could be on any game show, which one would it be and why? Do you think you’d win the game?
Family Feud because I love to watch the clips of the people that come up with off-the-wall answers, but I would also probably be one of those people if I were put on the spot like that. (I don’t think my family would win that game.)
Why do you love My Place?
I love My Place because I get to work with a great bunch of people who are all focused on the same thing and developing as we go. It’s so fun to be in that position every day.
