A Non-Traditional Path Built on Curiosity, Data, and Personal Voice

Mary Beth Cutshall shares a “zigzag” journey through food and beverage, operations, sales, marketing, and development, shaped by curiosity and learning. She explains how early experiences in hotel operations helped her understand “the nuts and bolts” of running a property and later informed her work in underwriting and evaluating deals. She describes assessing risk by beginning with curiosity, collecting data, and balancing critical thinking with analysis. Support systems play a central role, from trusted mentors to personal relationships, whom she describes as truthsayers who help her see blind spots and provide accountability. She emphasizes authenticity in networking, focusing on curiosity about others and “identifying the other person’s needs.” She reflects on growth through service organizations and moments that required trusting her intuition, explaining how listening to her own voice became essential.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• “It was a winding path a little bit longer, but in retrospect, I'm very glad I took the path I did.”
• “I look at a new opportunity, whether it's a role or it's a deal, from a lens of curiosity.”
• “Know yourself.”
• “Every person has something to teach.”
• “Listen, start listening to your voice and trusting it.”

Closing Reflection

Mary Beth’s reflections highlight how curiosity can guide complex decisions and open doors to unexpected opportunities. Her emphasis on data, critical thinking, and intuition demonstrates how learning from every experience strengthens judgment. She encourages cultivating strong support systems while also developing one’s internal voice. Her journey shows that growth comes from weaving personal and professional lessons together. She reminds listeners to trust themselves, continue learning, and embrace the value found in every path taken.