In the fast-paced world of travel and hospitality, innovation is the name of the game. Pioneers and trailblazers lead the way, reshaping the industry for the better. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the inspiring journey of Toni Jacaruso, the visionary founder of Jacaruso Enterprises, Inc. Based in Round Rock, Texas, this groundbreaking company has redefined the traditional model of hotel sales services.
From a childhood marked by an entrepreneurial spirit to the inception of an innovative remote sales service, Toni’s story is a testament to the power of determination and innovation in the ever-evolving world of travel and hospitality. In this exclusive interview we explored her journey, her company’s mission, and the remarkable impact it has had on the hotel industry.
Give us a brief overview of your background and your journey since the beginning of your career.
Since my childhood, I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit. Early on, I established a neighborhood babysitting business that I expanded successfully by hiring my friends as my “employees” and taking a cut of their pay.
As soon as I was old enough, I got a job at a Holiday Inn in downtown Minneapolis. This kicked off a 20 +year career in the hospitality industry that advanced concurrently with my undergraduate studies in Hotel & Restaurant Management, followed by an MBA. I worked hard and earned director-level positions for some of the largest hotel brands in the world before moving into a role as Vice President of Sales for a hotel management and asset company with annual revenues close to a billion dollars. But I noticed something was missing both in my career and in the hospitality industry.
So, I started a company that introduced a groundbreaking concept: remote hotel sales service. Today, I remain profoundly thankful for the 100+ dedicated individuals who choose to work alongside me. Their contributions are instrumental in fostering the culture of mutual respect that has led to our collective success.