Grounded, then Cleared for Takeoff
Miranda von Lersner’s Comeback Story
Want to follow Miranda’s next chapter?
Find her on LinkedIn
What were you doing before being let go, and what are you doing now?
Before getting laid off, I worked for Delaware North. They are a 3rd party vendor of various hospitality specialties (hotel management, casino management, national parks concessions, stadium/arena concessions, etc). I was responsible for the pricing strategies of the food and beverage operations within airports. The role was mainly market research projects to justify price changes within the respective markets of each airport within the portfolio. Some of the larger airports in the portfolio were Los Angeles, CA, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Atlanta, GA. Some of the smaller ones were Midland, TX, and Lexington, KY.
My new role will be on the other side of the airport contracts, managing a portfolio of tenants within the San Diego International Airport. It’s taking everything I learned in my last role and applying it to the airport management side.
What did the “in-between” chapter look like for you - emotionally, financially, professionally?
The time in between roles was turbulent. I had never been laid off before. My self-worth was at an all-time low. As someone who always prided myself on my confidence and resilience, I lost a lot of my sparkle when the barrage of rejection emails kept coming through. I’ve been in the hospitality industry for many years, working my way up in different capacities. I’ve worked for several well-known brands and earned my education from well-respected universities. Getting turned down for so many roles I was fully capable of doing, or had done in the past, was humiliating. However, I had no choice but to keep going. I don’t give up, it’s not in my nature.
I am grateful my husband was employed while I job hunted. My unemployment didn’t go very far with our expenses, and it ran out a couple of months before my new job started. He floated our mortgage, utilities, and most expenses. It was great to have someone who lifted me up when I felt worthless.
What industry-wide changes have you observed, and how have they shaped your comeback?
Some industry-wide changes I observed were that transferable skills aren’t valued anymore. It’s not easy to change tracks within hospitality these days to try new facets. It was frustrating that I couldn’t get my foot in the door anywhere at the time. I was just hoping for someone to accept that I had the skills, even if I didn’t have the exact title in my previous experience.
I feel that I landed in the best role with the best employer. Working for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority feels like a dream come true with the opportunity to choose my own adventure and be a part of the exciting changes that are to come for the organization. It feels like validation to be where I am. It truly felt like the role was waiting for me to find it when I did.
How long did it take before something started to shift, and what did that shift look like for you?
5 months into being unemployed, I realized I had to start looking for opportunities outside of Los Angeles and Orange County. This led me to start applying for jobs in Las Vegas, where I got my degree and first started in hospitality. I spent a few days attending interviews and networking events in an attempt to make my way back into the market there.
When nothing panned out, I started applying for roles in San Diego. Luckily, my role is hybrid, allowing me some flexibility on my commute. Although the drive is farther than most, growing up in LA, I don’t mind the distance or time. It allows me to think when I have some of my favorite music playing, a podcast, or an audiobook.
Hospitality is a demanding industry—what boundaries or lessons are you bringing with you into this new chapter?
The lesson I’ve learned is to ask for clarification, so I understand expectations. I spent too many years being a pushover and saying yes to everything without context. I learned to pause and reflect on the actions I need to take before doing them. This would have saved me a lot of grief when I was younger.
What surprised you most about re-entering the workforce after a layoff, especially in this industry?
Layoffs aren’t seen as such a taboo anymore. Most people I work with have been with the San Diego International Airport for 10+ years, or even 20+ years, and they realize how fortunate they are to be employed there. They have been sympathetic to the current market situation and don’t see my layoff as a red flag.
What did this transition teach you about your own resilience?
This transition taught me that I will always find a way. Working in San Diego, while owning a beautiful home in Long Beach, won’t be easy, but I can still rise to the occasion. Everything is figureoutable (a fun quote I’ve been seeing a lot of lately).
What do you wish people understood about layoffs in hospitality, and what it takes to bounce back?
Layoffs in hospitality are pretty rare on the hotel and restaurant side. Corporate hospitality is a different story. What I found within me to bounce back is to find my sparkle again, sharpen my tools in my toolbox, and apply for roles outside my comfort zone.
You never know who will take a chance on you. Working in hospitality usually means you’re good at working with people. Which sounds easy enough, but when you have to take care of people and do it well, you’re invaluable. You can apply that to so many different roles while learning new skills along the way.
That’s how I fell into my last role with Delaware North. It was a fish-out-of-water situation learning an entirely new set of skills; however, I had the people skills to navigate the relationship-building side of the role very well.
What would you say to someone who feels like their own comeback isn’t coming?
I would say be patient with yourself. You’re not broken. You’re not worthless. You’re a gem that someone is looking for, but the timing has to be right. I truly feel like the phrase “everything happens for a reason” is a timeless truth. The right hand will be dealt at the right time.
What helped you stay grounded (or find your footing again)?
What helped me stay grounded was volunteering and fostering dogs. My husband and I adopted our dog in September of 2024. During the 9 months I was laid off, I fostered 5 dogs that were about to be euthanized. It was a rewarding experience and gave our dog a buddy. I also help with admin tasks such as adoption documents, vaccine documents, and maintaining the rescue’s website.
I also started writing for my city’s local magazine. It has sent me on field trips across the city and forced me to do research about topics I’d never considered learning about. Having a few articles published has been a unique feather in my cap to talk about during interviews. It has shown potential employers that I have stayed busy with projects during the unexpected downtime.
What did you learn about yourself during the time you were in between chapters?
I learned that I need a creative outlet to balance the negativity. I spent many hours gardening to beautify our home. I’ve planted many seeds and grown some gorgeous flowers. Vegetables and fruits are still a work in progress, and my flowers bring me a lot of happiness. I’ve learned so much about plants in the time I was off.
What advice would you give to someone facing a layoff in hospitality right now?
Apply to all different sectors in and out of the industry. Your skills are valuable and applicable to so many fields. Don’t sell yourself short in interviews either. You know you have worked incredibly hard, worked crazy hours, and have navigated difficult situations with the general public that most people don’t know how to handle. Use that to your advantage and spotlight those skills on your resume.
Want to follow Miranda’s next chapter? Find her on LinkedIn
