Happy Monday!

I've always been fascinated by companies with extraordinary corporate cultures.

Not just companies with happy employees, but companies where every single person understands the mission so deeply that it shapes every decision they make.

One of my favorite stories comes from Disney.

A visitor stopped a custodian who was sweeping up litter and asked him what he did for a living.  He didn't say, "I empty trash cans."  He didn't say, "I clean the park."  He smiled and said, "I make memories."

Think about that for a second.

On the surface, he was picking up someone else's popcorn bucket. But in his mind, he was helping create the magical experience families had traveled hundreds—or even thousands—of miles to enjoy. A clean park meant parents weren't distracted. Kids could run freely. Photos looked beautiful. The magic stayed intact.  His broom wasn't his purpose.  It was his tool.

That story got me thinking about our own businesses.

As we wrap up another busy summer season, it's easy to get buried in the never-ending checklist.

• Answer the inquiry.
• Approve the refund.
• Replace the coffee maker.
• Schedule the cleaner.
• Fix the wobbly chair.
• Restock the toilet paper.

But what if none of those are actually your job?  What if your job is creating the place where a family celebrates Grandma's 80th birthday?  Or where lifelong friends finally get together after years apart.  Or where exhausted parents reconnect after months of running in different directions.  Or where a child catches their first fish, sees their first bear, or falls in love with the Poconos!!

Those moments don't happen by accident.

They happen because hundreds of tiny decisions were made correctly long before the guests arrived.

• The cleaner isn't cleaning. They're building trust.
• The handyman isn't fixing a doorknob.  They're preventing frustration.
• The person stocking the welcome basket isn't putting out snacks.  They're making guests feel like someone was genuinely expecting them.
• Even your automated messages aren't just communication.  They're reducing uncertainty and helping guests relax.

Every task has a higher purpose.

So here's a challenge as we finish out the busy season:

Ask yourself—and everyone who helps operate your property—one simple question:

"What's my real job?"

If the answer is "cleaning," "maintenance," "bookkeeping," or "guest messaging," you're probably aiming too low.

Find the mission behind the task.

Because the best hosts don't just provide lodging.  They create experiences.  They make memories.

And when every person involved in your business understands that, guests can feel the difference—even if they never know exactly why.

Have a great week!

~Rebecca

P.S. If our mission as hosts is creating memorable experiences, our mission as the Poconos VRO is protecting your ability to keep creating them. Whether that's advocating for fair regulations, educating owners, or strengthening our industry, every conversation, meeting, and email serves that same purpose. If you haven't joined us yet, we'd love to have you on the team.