In this episode of Five Star Conversations, Brendon Granger interviews Erin Pickering, who shares her incredible journey from a career in Australian media to managing luxury super yachts for the world’s elite. Starting with a leap of faith and a one-way ticket to France, Erin quickly climbed the ranks, learning the intricacies of yacht operations, guest service, and crew management. Her experience ranged from catering to demanding guests with meticulous attention to detail—like polishing blueberries—to overseeing complex logistical challenges, including launching Steven Spielberg’s 110-meter yacht. Erin highlights the unique pressures of being "always on," managing crew dynamics, and maintaining high-performance standards in a confined environment. Drawing on her yachting expertise, Erin founded Holystone, a business focused on elevating service quality in hotels and restaurants. She emphasises the importance of guest experience consistency and operational excellence, sharing lessons from yachting that translate to hospitality. Erin advocates for attention to detail, practical training, and addressing team dynamics to ensure seamless service, even during high-pressure situations. Her insights on reading guest behaviour and handling confidential information reflect her dedication to discretion and professionalism. Erin encourages aspiring super yacht professionals to seize the opportunity, emphasizing that starting locally in Australia can provide invaluable experience before heading to Europe. Her advice includes avoiding unnecessary certifications and focusing on essential skills. Reflecting on her career, Erin expresses gratitude for the personal growth it brought her, noting that her journey taught her more about herself than the world. Her passion for world-class service and authentic connections continues to shape her approach to both hospitality and business. Bio: With over 20 years of experience in customer service, Erin has spent the last 9 years running super yachts in Europe for some of the world's wealthiest and most influential individuals and providing world-class service to them. Her last project was launching Steven Spielberg’s 110m yacht! She has returned home and created her own business, Holystone, which allows her to share her skillset with hotels and restaurants. She cares deeply about what our consumers experience in hospitality and wants to ensure that our businesses are always providing world-class service. #HospitalityIndustry #GuestExperience #FutureOfHospitality #InnovationInHospitality #CareerAdvice #HospitalityLeaders Podcast Contact Details: Email: Brendon@Technology4hotels.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendongranger Phone +61 2 8317 4000 Phone 1300 503 657 (Australia only) Web: www.Technology4Hotels.com.au