The Path has shared a new interview with Issy Sharp, founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, speaking about his career and life's work.
The Path is a bi-weekly LinkedIn video series where Ryan Roslansky, CEO, LinkedIn chats with influential leaders about their successes, missteps and key pivotal moments in their professional paths.
Sharp started out as a construction worker in Toronto, Ont. He has been in the business for more than 50 years, but had no idea his path would look like it does today.
“I never, ever expected that I would be in the hotel business,” Issy said. “It was a chance event that opens an opportunity, lets you think of something that you never thought of before and you take that chance.”
His career path shifted when his friend proposed building a motel on the outskirts of town. It was risky, but the project was successful. He then constructed another motel — this time for himself. The decision sparked the beginning of the Four Seasons brand.
As he continued to build hotels and motels, his journey wasn’t without hurdles. He was an industry newbie and didn’t have the background or leverage to make deals like experienced hoteliers. He had to lean on his interpersonal skills to push his business forward. People started to trust him and those deals came into fruition.
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