Listen to Their Stories – Shaiza Damji

Today, I’m continuing my celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a profile of one of Marriott International’s exceptional owners -- Shaiza Damji.

I mentioned in my blog last week that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are such an important part of our network of owners/franchisees and suppliers, as well as our global workforce.

We simply can’t compete in a global marketplace without diverse perspectives, experiences and voices powering our business. In a series of profiles this month, I am delighted to share some of these diverse voices – people who are generally out of sight to our guests but who are very much a driving force for our business.

Here now is Shaiza Damji. 

Shaiza Damji 

Who:

Shaiza Damji, Principal and Managing Director of 360° Hotel Group in Greater Seattle.

Her Story:

My grandparents immigrated from India to Kenya in the early 1900s. My parents, Nizar and Mariyam Damji, immigrated to Vancouver, B.C., in the 1970s. My father had a background in agriculture and manufacturing but when he arrived in North America, he found more opportunities in hospitality. My parents bought a Ramada Inn in Seattle in 1976. I worked the front desk in high school, but I really didn’t want anything to do with the business. I went to law school and became an international corporate lawyer in New York City. I wanted to work for the World Bank. I later returned to the family business as I realized this was an opportunity to learn from my father before he retired. By then, my parents owned three hotels and some other real estate investments. Today, my husband works with us at 360 as well. My sister is also an owner and is involved in the business in an advisory capacity.

What key decision propelled you forward?

Five years after I joined the business, we decided to divest our other real estate investments and just focus on hotels. It’s better to focus on what you know, plus we have a passion for hotels – the people, the buildings and the business. We currently have six hotels, all in Washington state, including a TownePlace Suites by Marriott and a SpringHill Suites by Marriott. We have a Residence Inn by Marriott in development.

How has COVID impacted your business?

Washington was one of the first states to be impacted in the United States, we had one of the first deaths. There were cancellations across the board after that, which had a huge impact. It’s been hard, but I do see us coming out of it. Our properties are extended-stay style, so they have kitchens. That’s good because most of our guests have wanted to spend a lot of time in their rooms.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Work hard and know your numbers, know what’s going to work and what isn’t. Be willing to walk away from a project, even if you’ve invested a lot of time in it. Building a strong network of people I can call on within the hotel community and the wider business and non-profit communities has been very beneficial for me.

Shaiza’s story really resonates with me. All of us must follow our passion in life, even if sometimes it takes us right back to where we started. It’s beautiful to see how this family business flourished as everyone worked together and focused on their expertise in hospitality. Washington State, like so many places, has been hit hard by COVID-19. I am pulling for Shaiza and her family as we look forward to a brighter tomorrow.