CEO Crush: Meet 7 Fierce Female Founders Shaking Up Their Industries

Jayma Cardoso: Founder & Creative Director of Montauk's The Surf Lodge, and the best Après spot in Aspen, The Snow Lodge

What were you doing prior to The Surf Lodge?
I was working in in hospitality. I was an owner and partner in Cain, Goldbar and Lavo. I’ve always had a passion for creating experiences for guests.

What was 20 year old Jayma doing that today's Jayma is proud of?
I was attending university and working my first hospitality job at Boom in SoHo.  I loved it, I misrepresented my bartending skills but guests were fans of my enthusiasm for making things fun! I think the thing I’d be most proud of is that once I found what I love to do,  I decided this it and started going for it. 

Did you always want to work in hospitality?
I actually thought I was going to be a biologist at one point! But once I start working in hospitality, I knew this was my passion. 

What obstacles have you face in your industry/career as a woman if any?
Well...Ginger Rogers had to do everything Fred Astaire did backwards and in heels! But really my male peers were in incredibly supportive; Rocco Ancarola, Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Mark Packer, Patrick Fahey, Rich Wolf. There were all some of my biggest supporters.

How do you hope to help make a more equitable path for fellow female entrepreneurs? 
I love making people’s dreams come true. I find myself helping aspiring entrepreneurs make connections to make their aspirations a reality. Hospitality is really about connecting people in a shared experience; be it food, music a wellness class, what have you. Creating connections is what I do, so, just more of the same for me. Connecting people together.

[Photo courtesy of @jaymacardoso]