Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Winkler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nicole. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In my very early teens, I was introduced to the Latin American culture and it really intrigued me. For that reason, when it was time to go to college, I decided to major in Spanish and International Business with a Latin American Studies minor, my plan was to travel and make money at the same time. A win-win deal! I took advantage of all the exchange programs offered by my college, which eventually allowed me to graduate early. I chose to miss my official graduation ceremony to take an interview in Costa Rica for a hospitality job in an up-and-coming hotel. Long story short, I got that job and 17 years later it led me to where I am today – in the wellness hospitality industry with Dahlonega Spa Resort, here in Georgia, via Tulum, Mexico, and Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I moved back to the United States to manage Dahlonega Spa Resort, my first task was to learn (and quickly) how business was done here in the U.S. as my entire professional career had taken place in Costa Rica and Mexico. Our target market was very familiar to me, but reaching more clients and establishing a solid operation to serve those clients was the next challenge. A 23-room hotel offers a lot of challenges, especially in terms of staffing, since a lot of our traffic is weekend driven. How to bring in new business and maintain a trained staff to attend to our guests was a delicate dance that took some time to achieve.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dahlonega Spa Resort – what should we know?
Dahlonega Spa Resort provides an escape from the normal distractions of our guests’ busy lives, providing a digitally detoxed refuge surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and 72 acres of tranquil forests and meadows. We are a wellness hotel geared towards individuals and groups who just need some quiet space to reconnect with themselves and/or their partner in a safe, natural, nurturing environment. What makes us unique is our authenticity and peaceful location. Group retreats in yoga and meditation, along with corporate groups, are also a big part of our business. The staff truly care about the guests and go out of their way to make sure their stay is enjoyable without over doing it.
I think that I most proud of being a small part of a trend-setting legacy of wellness initiated by Pauline Clegg, the owner of Dahlonega Spa Resort, more than 40 years ago. There is something very satisfying about being involved in this place where people come to internally connect, heal and grow.
What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
Let’s go to Canada for that one – to Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. We were on a family vacation camping at different National Parks. Fundy National Park had these amazing pines. My mother decided to create a house on the ground with all the pine needles. She formed the spaces – designating the living areas and piled up more and more needles as the walls. Every time I think of this memory, it brings a smile to my face.
Contact Info:
- Address: 400 Blueberry Hill
Dahlonega, GA 30533 USA - Website: https://dahlonegasparesort.com
- Phone: 1-706-865-7678
- Email: reservations@dahlonegasparesort.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dahlonegaspa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DahlonegaSpa/
Image Credit:
Dahlonega Spa Resort
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