Amy Van De Ven is the proud owner and operator of Quest Apartments in Orange. As you can imagine, running a hotel means she wears many hats - organisational skills and top-notch customer service are most certainly a requirement for this kind of job. But she says it’s her team that are her greatest asset.
Tell us a little bit about Quest Apartments Orange and your role as Owner.
We offer a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes, ranging from modern and stylish studio apartments to larger family rooms. Quest Orange provide all the creature comforts of home and is ideal for business travellers, holidaymakers, and those looking for a comfortable base while exploring the Central West region.
Owning and running a hotel is a very rewarding but also very challenging. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but you certainly reap the rewards. I must be extremely organised (or surround myself with team members who are!) as there are many different aspects to running a successful hotel. I love that every day is so different, and the skill set required is ever changing and evolving. I need to understand the business side of the hotel industry, including accounting, marketing, and customer service. Additionally, I need to always be on top of engaging and leading my team, maintain quality standards, and ensure that the hotel is always up to brand standard. It is a lot of work, but the right team and attitude keeps me going.
You are undoubtedly busy, how do you take care of yourself and maintain a good mental health?
I’ve always been a firm believer that you can’t pour from an empty cup, which I why my health and wellbeing is always high on my agenda and priorities. As a leader of 30 team members, it’s important I am showing up each day as the best version of myself, so it’s so important I have processes in place to ensure I look after myself, physically and mentally. For me, that includes things like practicing Pilates each morning at my favourite local studio, Studio Seed, going for walks with my two Cavoodle dogs, Teddy and Louie, and taking time to do things that fill me with joy like spending time in nature, hiking, or reading a book. I’m also a lover of a monthly facial!
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing female leaders today?
Women are often overlooked when it comes to senior positions and promotions, and even when they do reach the top, they often face bias and discrimination. Female leaders can be held to higher performance standards than their male counterparts. At Quest Orange I am really proud we have a 99.4% female team, and it is so important for me to always foster a workplace culture of inclusivity and equality by always providing access to the best resources and opportunities for those female leaders and team members in my business.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Stay true to yourself and your goals. Never be afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. Be confident in your abilities and your unique talents and don't be afraid to use them to make a difference. Lead with authenticity, empathy, and courage, and never be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself and others. Always stay connected to your community and build strong relationships with those around you to foster collaboration, creativity, and support.
What’s the best piece of business advice that you have ever received?
Always think long-term. Oh, and never stop learning!
What's one thing every woman should know about being successful in her career and life?
Success requires an ongoing commitment to learning, growing, and developing yourself. In my experience to be successful, you must have a positive attitude, stay motivated, and take action. You must also be willing to take risks and make mistakes, as these are invaluable sources of learning. Finally, success is not only determined by tangible accomplishments, but also by how you treat yourself and those around you, so remember to always be kind.
What’s on the horizon for Quest Apartments Orange in 2023?
We are planning a range of exciting initiatives, including further improvements to the overall guest experience, introducing our new Executive Apartments, more technology and ways we can communicate effortlessly with our guests. We're also working on increasing our sustainability efforts, so we'll likely have a number of green initiatives in place by the end of 2023. We are also excited to be expanding our partnerships with local businesses to help us offer even more unique experiences to our guests like local food and wine experiences!
Location: ORANGE | NSW
Website: quest apartments.com.au/orange
Instagram: questorange Facebook: Quest Orange
Photography: Kristen Cunningham