In Her Heels with Shawn Huffman of Legacy Hospitality TN
“Letting go of fear and moving forward in faith”
Shawn is the host with the most at Legacy Hospitality TN. Connoisseur of all things beautiful - owner of LHTN - Shawn, sought to create some of the most premier spaces in Nashville.
Offering elegant, cozy and chic homes in ideal locations, Shawn and the LHTN team pride themselves on offering top-notch care to their amazing guests.
Hailing from the west coast, Shawn married a Nashvillian and has called this music town home for nearly twenty years. Her designer’s eye and knowledge of the Nashville market ensure that your stay will be nothing other than superb!
Let’s dig a little deeper and learn more about Shawn’s entrepreneurial journey.
How did you enter into the hospitality industry?
Definitely by chance..but I do have to give my husband a lot of credit. He encouraged me to get into real estate (so much so I got my contractor license...that's a story)...we started buying and building and renting homes... and then one day my husband mentioned we should try managing short term rentals and that I would be able to decorate them. When a man says "hey, I need you to spend money/go shopping so we can make money"..you definitely lean into that. I will say the deeper layer is that I do love to host people. If you come to my home, you cannot stay without having something to eat or at least having a beverage...it doesn't make me feel like I am doing a good job, if people don't feel like they are at home. And that's what I do...I make my homes feel like a home.
What brought you to Nashville?
My husband! He grew up here. I met him while he was on vacation and six months later he asked me to move here. I never thought I would end up in Tennessee! I also went against all of my personal advice/beliefs of: "Never move for a Man"..hah. I laugh at that.....but you should ALWAYS "move for a friend"...he's my besty.
Where are we likely to find you on the weekends or when you aren't working?
Working (hah!) Weekends can be super busy with my business. But if it's not working..likely at home with family. I'd like to see it turn into weekend day trips now that traveling is much easier.
Name 3 things you cannot live without
Easy: Green Tea. Getting my hair done (yes, I totally said that). White Noise (not for just sleeping, but for the peace and quiet..my husband works from home so I constantly hear his voice 😂).
What is the best advice you have received?
This is the best advice "to date" that I recently was told: "Be the dime in a jar full of quarters"...meaning you have to surround yourself with people that inspire you, that can be mentors to you, and who you can look up to, to be a better person. Whether that's in business or your personal life. This is kind of inline with "Don't be the smartest person in the room". There is a longer version of the story about the jar..but I'll save that for another time!
What are you currently listening to? Podcast? Favorite song that motivates you?
I have to "upgrade my library" as I know there are so many great podcasts out there now..vs. when I started listening to them. I have been listening to Goal Diggers for a long time...The Tim Ferriss Show...The Chalene Show (she has a variety of topics..so it depends on what she's talking about)...Women Amplified....I would really love any rec's from our members...especially local podcasts. (Secret goal: I aspire to one day be a podcast host). Favorite Song that motivates me: Well...it depends on what I'm doing..but before a tennis match...I ALWAYS listen to some old school 90's Rap...I have to pump myself up before I hit the courts!
What would surprise us about yourself?
In my past life...I was really really cool (we all were, weren't we!). I was once a Coyote (I'm actually pretty proud of this!) at Coyote Ugly in Las Vegas. I was one of the original bartenders when it first opened...a very very long time ago. And it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. It was an amazing, exciting, EMPOWERING RIDE. (Shhhh! If I told you exactly how long ago..you would know my age 😎).
What are some career highlights and biggest career accomplishments?
To be honest, the highlights come after every stay when I get an amazing review. With the big career accomplishments: I would say letting go of fear and moving forward in faith. Fear of being successful (yes, this is so real), fear of being judge if you fail, fear of the "what if's", fear of letting go of control...and most importantly...fear of asking for help. It's "a thing" to do/say "I can do it myself"...but it gets real when you ask yourself "Is this a $5 an hour job or a $5000 an hour job? I should be outsourcing the $5 an hour job because MY TIME is more valuable at $5000 an hour." Yup...think about that for a moment.
Contact information: Where can members connect with you?
IG @legacyhospitalitytn for business
Personal/private page @shuffman615
Email: legacyhospitalitytn@gmail.com
Shawn independently owns, operates AND design/decorates each vacation rental property they have in Downtown Nashville. As a host, her goal is to make sure that every guest experiences true Southern Hospitality through recommendations and the comforts of home.
Shawn is a true Nashville resident after living here for almost 19 years (yay!), complete with two kids, two fur babies and her best friend (her husband).
Make sure to give reach out to her or refer your friend the next time they come to visit you in Nashville!