Getting to Know Lisa Bailey
Lisa Bailey is the director of marketing for the beautiful new Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Denver. Editor Ellen Gray recently met with her to learn a little bit more about the woman behind one of the city’s most beautiful new hotels.
CV: It has been said that you are a marketing whiz. How do you stay creative and ahead of the curve in such a challenging economy?
Bailey: I appreciate the compliment! I try to meet as many people as I can who work or are involved in a variety of industries and brainstorm ways and means, which stimulate idea generation. I also believe in cooperative partnerships and aligning myself with organizations that can mutually benefit from one another. There are so many ways to generate new revenue, which is the name of the game these days. You cannot rely on what you did yesterday and you must be proactive. Lead, not follow. I also believe you must be a champion for constant improvement. Strategic, methodical risk takers are also required to stay ahead of the game. For me, an all-around win is a promotional effort that brings in new and potential repeat customers - they pay and the media cover it!
CV: As a marketing professional, do you think people are born creative, or is creativity more of an acquired talent?
Bailey: I do think there’s a bit of both. If you don’t have a creative bone in your body, you really are starting from scratch and it could be a long uphill struggle, unless you are the type of person who thrives on getting out of your comfort zone. I do think, however, you can perfect a talent -- and we are all works in progress. But if you have the gift of creativity, it will certainly come in handy. If not, you can always copy someone else’s method and just make it better!
CV: How did you land in the hotel industry, and was this something you always wanted to do?
Bailey: I fell into it like many others. I was recruiting and working as a paralegal in a law firm, thinking one day I wanted to be a lawyer. Then a hotel salesperson called on me and invited me to lunch, because he wanted to show me his hotel as a potential place where our recruits could stay. After a wonderful two-hour lunch, I thought to myself, wow, that job is fun. I want that job! I started to interview and landed a job with Four Seasons. The company is an excellent organization to work for -- one of the top in FORTUNE magazine’s best places to work list. I definitely made the right choice.
CV: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Bailey: Besides my daughter (who is first and foremost), I think my longevity and success with Four Seasons. This is the third hotel I have opened from the ground up and I just love it! Also, not many people these days have been with the same company for their entire career. Some may say I’m loyal to a fault; I just feel I’m darn lucky!
CV: What gets you most excited about the new Four Seasons in Denver?
Bailey:It’s all exciting! From our awesome location to the incredible design elements and architecture, to our talented new team that is here to deliver a warm and friendly Four Seasons experience to all who enter. And I have to mention the graciousness and warmth of the people of Denver. We are feeling the love and it feels good!
CV: How are you liking Denver so far, and have you been able to take advantage of the Colorado lifestyle?
Bailey: I am one to explore all a city has to offer. So I have been to Vail, to Pikes Peak, the incredible Garden of the Gods ... and one recent weekend it was the Denver Day of Rock and then to see Styx and Foreigner at Red Rocks. I also enjoy the arts and was kindly invited to the ballet and to the theatre which I so enjoyed. I also love a variety of restaurants and have been slowly but surely making my way around town. I am definitely one who enjoys being involved in the local community, so I have attended many local community and charitable events and plan to make an appearance at so many more!
CV: You have a daughter. Was it difficult to make the move from California, and how have the people here been treating the two of you?
Bailey: I have loved every minute of it, although she has had a bit of a challenge transitioning. But we’ve moved into our new home in the Tech Center area and she’s starting to feel a bit more settled. Making friends at any age in a new location can be hard, but particularly so for teenage girls. However, I find the people here warm and kind ... and those who are not from here seem to embrace the same attitude quickly. Such a nice feeling.
CV: Can you tell readers a little about the spa that will be opening at the Four Seasons? What makes it different? What makes it special?
Bailey: The spa is going to be incredible. Ten treatment rooms and separate changing rooms for men and women, with beautiful whirlpools and steamrooms. And we have a fitness center and yoga studio overlooking a distinctive outdoor pool terrace and whirlpool that is stunning. All guests of the spa are invited and encouraged to spend the day with us. The product lines we’ll carry are going to be from Colorado and we really want to give back to the local community.
CV: You like to cook. Any specialties? Who taught you?
Bailey: Both my parents are excellent cooks, but my dad especially is. And of course I have been surrounded by excellent gourmet chefs within Four Seasons. I love to entertain and grill outdoors -- all year round. One of my favorites is lamb chops or rack of lamb, so I guess I’m in the right place! Always, with a healthy assortment of veggies too. In California, our hotel was attached to a wellness center that has an incredible chef/nutritionist, so I certainly learned about my fruits and veggies and many ways to incorporate them into my diet and that of my daughter’s. We also put in place a school nutrition
program for her school district and successfully changed the entire kids’ school lunches to be healthy and tasty. Now that was an accomplishment!
program for her school district and successfully changed the entire kids’ school lunches to be healthy and tasty. Now that was an accomplishment!
CV: Any favorite local haunts yet?
Bailey: My favorites so far in terms of restaurants are Mizuna and TAG. I also enjoy Shanahan’s and Jing bar areas -- out in my hood. I have so many more to try so I’m open to any suggestions!
CV: Are you single? If so, what do you look for in a guy?
Bailey: I’m single and the most important attributes a guy can offer are honesty, integrity and a charming sense of humor. And he must enjoy the variety and spice life has to offer, including travel, since I have the world of Four Seasons to choose from for my vacations!
CV: What do you and your daughter like to do on a day off?
Bailey: My daughter is 12, soon to turn 13. We like to shop, cook, travel and sight see. She so enjoyed the recent rock and roll weekend. She is starting to see all that Denver has to offer. She also loves sports, and we plan to take full advantage!
CV: Tell readers a little bit more about yourself.
Bailey: I’m a native of Texas and the daughter of true Southerners. Mom is from Mississippi and dad is from Louisiana. I went to college in Texas, then decided after joining Four Seasons that it was time to see the world from another’s point of view. You see, when you are from Texas, you are truly a proud Texan and I grew up thinking everyone wanted to live in Texas, but just couldn’t! You can imagine how that attitude went over when I moved to San Francisco. And then to Chicago and later Los Angeles. What an awakening that was, as well as a culture shock. I’m much more worldly now, but will always remain a proud Texan.
CV: Do you have a favorite motto or saying?
Bailey: Our company’s credo is the Golden Rule, a wonderful way to live. And our founder and owner, Isadore Sharpe, has taught us to lead with what we call the three Ps in mind .. you first must take care of your people, offer a superior product, then profit will show. I have my own three Ps to add: perseverance, passion and poise. I believe those are the keys to success.
CV: Anything else you’d like to add . . .
Bailey: We are opening a new hotel in Vail and I will be providing marketing and sales support for that location as well. It’s right in Vail Village, another spectacular Four Seasons opening!