- Nicole Boyer
- Group Sales Manager
- Mount Hope Estate & Winery
- mounthope.estate/
LGT: You’ve built your career in group sales, first with American Music Theatre and now Mount Hope Estate & Winery. What have you learned about yourself as a salesperson and leader through those different experiences?
I grew up a shy introvert, so it’s still a little wild to me that I’ve built a successful career in sales. A love of theater was my stepping stone into the tourism industry. From there, I quickly realized that sales wasn’t about being the loudest person in the room or having the perfect pitch. It was about building relationships. It’s about listening more than talking (something introverts are pretty good at!) and helping people through a process.
I’ve also learned the importance of authenticity. People want to work with someone real. I’ve been fortunate to represent places and experiences that I genuinely love, and I think that passion comes through naturally. You can’t fake enthusiasm for very long!
As I’ve grown in the industry, I’ve learned so much. Listen. Be curious. Be willing to learn from the people around you. And don’t feel like you have to become someone else to be successful.
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LGT: You’re known for being someone who jumps in to help, volunteers at industry events, and continually looks for opportunities to learn. Where does that desire to keep growing come from, and how do you think women in tourism can support and liftup the next generation of industry professionals?
My first boss in tourism encouraged me to read professional development books. I quickly discovered that if I took even one small idea from something I read and actually applied it, it could make a real difference. That sparked a desire to keep learning—not just from books, but from the people around me.
Our industry is full of incredibly smart, creative, and generous people, and I genuinely believe that every person I meet has something I can learn from.
Volunteering, on the other hand, took a little leap out of my introvert comfort zone. But once I started getting involved in industry events and organizations, I found that volunteering was one of the best ways to meet people and build relationships. Some of those people have since become close friends, mentors, and people I deeply respect professionally. And here’s the thing: it gets easier. The more you show up, the more comfortable you become. Now, I’m often the person encouraging someone else to jump in.
I think that’s one of the ways women—and really, all of us in this industry—can help lift up the next generation. Remember what it felt like to be new. Invite someone into the conversation. Introduce them to people.
LGT: What is one piece of advice you find yourself returning to again and again, especially when it comes to building relationships, handling challenges, and staying excited about a career in tourism?
Spread happiness. It sounds simple, but it’s something I find myself coming back to again and again. There will always be negativity around you—maybe it’s in your workplace, maybe it’s naysayers in the industry (ex., I’ve been told the entirety of my 15-year career that bus groups are dying out), maybe it’s simply the constant noise of the world around us. You can’t control all of that. But you can control how you show up.
Be kind. Celebrate other people’s successes. Share an idea. Make an introduction. Focus on what you can control rather than getting stuck on everything you can’t. And when work starts to feel especially…well, like work…remind yourself why you started.
I’m fortunate to work at a place I’ve loved since I was a teenager. (And no, before anyone asks, it wasn’t the wine that drew me in back then—it was the entertainment!)
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