Iris Mulder (28) comes from a family deeply rooted in hospitality. She started working as a teenager in her mother's lunchroom, and from there, there was no turning back. Iris has since grown into an experienced hospitality manager at HMSHost.
Why do you thrive at HMSHost?
“HMSHost is a large, global hospitality employer. Across various locations in the Netherlands, HMSHost manages hospitality and staffing for venues like La Place at Schiphol Airport. My motto is: if you really want something, you can achieve it. I've always believed that, and it has proven true. That's the advantage of being with a major player like HMSHost, which offers training, education, and opportunities to earn recognized certifications. The beauty of working in hospitality is interacting with people, seeing them grow. In our field, you can train and mentor new people right from the ground up.”
What has your career path been like so far?
“I started at La Place Plaza as a shift leader. During that time, I pursued an internal bachelor's program, and upon completion, I got the chance to do what I always wanted: move up to a senior role. Initially, I stepped up as an assistant hospitality manager and then became a hospitality manager at Utrecht Central. I'm now responsible for two stores at Schiphol: La Place Plaza and La Place Express.”
You've experienced significant growth in a short period.
“I truly believe that if you show that you want more or want to progress in life, opportunities will come your way eventually. Also, I find that I enjoy taking on responsibility. It's a good quality of mine. Although, sometimes I realize I can be a bit too responsible and I'm learning to let go more.”
How would colleagues describe you?
“As approachable, someone everyone can turn to, and nothing is too much trouble. I enjoy helping my colleagues, both professionally and personally. I always strive to keep a low threshold so people feel comfortable approaching me. I also like to actively participate in operations and maintain open communication with everyone. Our team is very diverse in terms of age and nationality, which I find important; diversity enriches us all.”
How important is ambition to you?
“When someone comes in and shows ambition, I fully support them. You don't have to be perfect from the start, but showing a willingness to learn is crucial, especially in today's world. You will definitely succeed and achieve your goals. With the new generation, 'Generation Z,' things are quite different from a few years ago. People come to work and prioritize enjoyment, which is important, but they may be less focused on the long term. I genuinely enjoy giving extra attention to those who are ambitious and take their career seriously. I want them to succeed and thrive.”