InnStyle would like to introduce its newest team member, Audra Hull. She has been with InnStyle for about a year. Many of you have had the opportunity to work with her as she fills your orders and answers your hospitality product questions. Audra is a kind-hearted, caring, funny, and intelligent person. InnStyle wants to share more about her and how she got started here.
Audra’s Background
Growing up, Audra was constantly on the move. She lived in Texas, Kansas, Maryland, Florida and had
many pets throughout her life including a Dalmatian, birds, iguanas, hamsters, and bunnies. She went to college at the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in biotechnology. Audra worked as an ocean lifeguard after graduating from the University of Florida. A year later she landed a job in her field of study as a researcher where she worked around animals. When she discovered that the sterile lab setting wasn’t for her, she took a few months off and went on a trip to explore Europe where she did a lot of hiking and made many memories. Over the next few years, she found employment working for her brother’s information technology company and designing mugs and t-shirts at a customer souvenir company for places like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She went on to become an innkeeper, which is where she got her first experience in the hospitality industry.
How Audra Started in Hospitality
Audra found herself in the hospitality industry when she decided that she wanted to explore a completely
new and different type of career. Her first job in the industry was working at the desk of the Agustin Inn. She eventually applied for the innkeeper position there and began to work her way up the career ladder. She mentioned that, as in many careers, “My job as an innkeeper required strong critical thinking skills and the ability to make decisions on the fly. I needed to make sure housekeeping was staying on schedule, that breakfast was being prepared on time, and use friendly customer service skills while interacting with all kinds of guests.” Audra did say that she eventually began to see situations repeating themselves as an innkeeper, so she remembered how to handle them based on what she had already learned on the job.
How She Discovered InnStyle
Audra first got connected with InnStyle when she was the innkeeper at the Agustin Inn. At the time, her account manager was Chuck. She would frequently call Chuck to order their incredibly popular InnStyle 600 Wrinkle Free Sheets. Audra appreciated Chuck’s friendliness and helpfulness which made him one of Audra’s favorite suppliers to talk to. As other needs arose, Audra started ordering more products from InnStyle like their amenities, robes, towels, and makeup removers. Audra met InnStyle’s owners Jon and Lorinda Taylor in 2021 when they were visiting St. Augustine for a local ALP conference. On a sunset cruise, they started talking and became friends. A visit in October, emails, and a year later, Jon and Lorinda returned for the ALP conference the following year and had the opportunity to speak with Audra again. That was when Audra decided to join the InnStyle team.
Audra’s prior work experience in hospitality helped her feel prepared for her role as an account manager at
InnStyle. Her customer service skills as an innkeeper helped her interact with customers and offer her own linen and hospitality supplies advice. Her degree in biotechnology and working for her brother’s information technology company have helped her easily adjust to using InnStyle’s technology and working remotely. On a similar note, Audra’s previous hospitality experience led her to start managing a few Airbnb properties in St. Augustine. She said that it has similarities and differences to traditional innkeeping. She doesn’t feel on call 24/7, but she can have some work-related tasks late at night. Audra mentioned that a guest once called her and asked if she could remove a lizard from the closet at around midnight. Her job as an account manager at InnStyle has made her more familiar with great-quality, wholesale products that help set her Airbnb apart from the competition.
What She Likes about InnStyle
Audra has developed a passion for hospitality and helping others which has made her job as an account manager that much more exciting and fun. Some of her favorite products at InnStyle include their well-known InnStyle 600 Wrinkle Free Sheets. She also loves the scent of the Cali Tarocco amenity line, and her favorite towel is the InnStyle Suites Towel because it is a good quality towel offered at an economical rate. She also likes the InnStyle Makeup Removers and uses them herself. Overall, her favorite part of working at InnStyle is talking to innkeepers and other property managers about their needs and sharing her advice. She is grateful for being able to remain in the hospitality industry and continuing to develop her skills from a different perspective. The flexibility of working remotely has also been nice for her daily routine since she no longer needs to drive to work.
InnStyle is thrilled to have Audra as a member of their team. She is a great person, a hard worker, and has a terrific attitude. She knew she had big shoes to fill by taking over for Chuck, but she has lived up to the challenge. Welcome Audra!!