Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Rich.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, California, I spent 25 years shaping the brand and visual identity of the iconic Madonna Inn. Having dedicated over two decades to such a legendary, high-volume property, I developed a deep mastery of hospitality marketing, from hands-on graphic design to multi-channel digital strategies. While that experience was incredibly rewarding, I reached a point where I was ready to challenge myself, try something entirely new, and bring my creative vision to a different landscape.
This led to my recent relocation to Klamath Falls, Oregon, drawn by the region’s rich mix of premier outdoor recreation and distinct destination appeal. I am excited to channel my lifetime of hospitality expertise and passion for storytelling into this next chapter, finding innovative ways to bring the Running Y Resort’s unique experience to life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle moving to a new state and starting fresh hasn’t been the work itself, but losing 25 years of built-in network and institutional ‘muscle memory’ overnight. At the Madonna Inn, I knew every vendor, media contact, and brand nuance by heart. Starting fresh in Oregon meant deliberately stepping out of my comfort zone to rebuild those relationships and learn a whole new regional market from scratch. It’s a lot of mental heavy lifting, but it has completely re-energized my creative process.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For 25 years, I was known for shaping and maintaining the brand identity of the iconic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California. In a high-volume, legendary property like that, you become known for your versatility and execution. I was the person who could design a high-end restaurant menu, script and produce an engaging social media campaign, and analyze regional drive-market data all in the same afternoon. I am known for having an incredibly sharp creative instinct combined with the operational discipline to get projects over the finish line.
Honestly, what I am most proud of is my recent decision to step entirely out of my comfort zone. After a quarter-century of success in a market I knew like the back of my hand, it would have been easy to stay on autopilot. Instead, I chose to relocate to Oregon to try something completely new and challenge my own creativity in a fresh landscape.
Making that leap came with real friction—losing a 25-year built-in professional network overnight, trading institutional ‘muscle memory’ for the steep learning curve of a new regional market, and adapting to entirely different traveler demographics. I am incredibly proud of the resilience and grit I’ve shown in navigating that transition, rebuilding my local network from scratch, and successfully proving that my creative strategies are highly adaptable to new regions.
That grit and adaptability are exactly what allowed me to step into my current role at Running Y Resort and immediately start making an impact. Embracing this beautiful property and its incredible community has been the ultimate validation of my move. I have loved sinking my teeth into positioning the resort as a premier destination, and it has completely re-energized my passion. I am incredibly excited for the future here, as we continue to push creative boundaries, elevate our digital presence, and show travelers everything this remarkable region has to offer.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The modern traveler—especially the emerging Gen Z market—doesn’t buy just a room night; they buy an experience. Over the next five years, properties can no longer rely on standard amenities like ‘free Wi-Fi’ or ‘flat-screen TVs’ to move the needle. I believe Marketing will need to be entirely experiential.
We have to turn our resort amenities, local partnerships, and regional outdoor recreation into highly shareable, unique moments. Whether that’s a curated stargazing night, a hyper-local culinary collaboration, or an exclusive trail guide partnership, our marketing must sell the transformation and the story, not just the physical real estate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.runningy.com
- Instagram: runningyresort
- Facebook: runningyresort
- Youtube: runningyranchresort5388
