Patrick Norton's journey from a towel boy in upstate New York to Chief Marketing Officer and owner-partner at Britain Resorts is a masterclass in hospitality leadership. After selling everything and moving to Myrtle Beach with just a hammock and clothes, Patrick applied to 150 resorts before landing at Compass Cove—beginning a remarkable 23-year relationship with Britain Resorts that would transform both his life and the company.
For aspiring hospitality leaders, Patrick's advice defies conventional wisdom: choose the challenging property over the well-performing one, as it offers greater opportunity to demonstrate your value. "If it didn't turn around, people had low expectations anyway. If it did, you were a hero," he explains. He also advocates leading authentically rather than forcing yourself into prescribed leadership molds that might not align with your natural strengths.
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:04:59] From Hammock to Hotel Career.
[00:13:08] Breaking the Comfort Trap.
[00:19:23] Maintaining 75% Guest Repeat Rate.
[00:24:36] Navigating Rental Management Challenges.
[00:37:56] Leadership and Innovation Philosophy.
[00:42:42] Advice for Hospitality Newcomers.