(Post #4) Starting the Journey: Learning the Ropes, and, getting accepted for the job

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So, there I was, cruising down the highway to a charming spot on the east coast of Vancouver Island—with dreams of becoming a resort manager. My qualifications? Let’s just say they were limited to managing my own life, which, depending on the day, was either a resounding success or a complete disaster.

As I navigated the steep driveway leading to the beachside resort, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was in over my head. But, when life hands you an opportunity to manage a beach resort with zero experience, you grab it with both hands and hope you don’t drop it.

When I arrived, Cathy, the resort’s owner, greeted me from a small balcony like a queen welcoming her loyal subject. She occupied a loft on top of the house. She was a whirlwind of energy—speaking at lightning speed, juggling a million tasks, and somehow keeping it all together. I, on the other hand, was doing my best to keep up without looking like a deer caught in headlights.

Cathy explained that my job would be to manage the entire resort—greet guests, prepare rooms, maintain the hot tubs, and be on call from 9 am to 11 pm daily. In other words, I’d be wearing more hats than a milliner during Fashion Week. The good news? It was low season, so I could expect fewer guests and, as Cathy put it, “time to take up knitting.” I had a feeling that if I actually found time to knit, it would be a miracle. That was not too far from the truth.

Then came the tour of the property—a charming setup with a main house, honeymoon suite, six two-bedroom suites, and two cozy cottages right on the beach. Over the fence was another property which was part of the resort package. A 3,000 sq. ft log cabin that slept 14 people. It was breathtaking. I could already picture myself waking up to the sound of waves, sipping coffee on the deck, and pretending I had everything under control.

But the reality hit when Cathy showed me the laundry and supply rooms, which looked like they’d been hit by a tornado. “This won’t do,” I thought to myself, channeling my inner Marie Kondo. After all, if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s organize chaos. At least the log cabin had its own laundry facility that was small and manageable. 

As we wrapped up the tour, Cathy accepted me as her resort manager for the off season. I quickly realized I had one big hurdle left: finalizing the lease on my condo. 

Luckily, fate stepped in when I ran into a neighbor in the elevator of my condo. After a brief chat, she mentioned that her elder in-laws were looking for a place to lease—fully furnished, close to the seawall, and available soon. My condo was perfect for them. I drew up a lease to expire September 2025; could I be a nomad until then? Within days, we had a deal.

With the condo rented out and Cathy getting ready to leave on her vacation; leaving her resort in good hands (I hope), I was all set to embark on my new adventure as a resort manager. Sure, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but that had never stopped me before. I’d figure it out as I went along—hopefully without any major disasters. After all, she would spend time training me and I felt she believed in me.  I was certainly a good match to her personality and drive. I was excited to get the ball rolling.

View from the resort

Next: Post 5 So, You're In Charge Now: A Not-So-Smooth Dive Into Resort Management 



Location: British Columbia, Canada

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