Natasha Rosick Ruman : A Heartfelt Journey Through Hospitality

This story is to connect. To show what’s possible when you lead with kindness, keep going through challenges, and believe in something bigger than a job title. Natasha Rosick Ruman is a proud Mauritian woman, now based in Prague, with over a decade of experience in hospitality. She has worked across Mauritius, the Middle East, and Europe. Her journey is proof that passion and purpose can come from the humblest places. What makes Natasha’s story resonate so deeply is not just the places she’s worked in, but the life she’s lived to get there.

Her beginnings were modest, yet full of love and resilience. While her mother worked abroad to support the family, Natasha was raised by her grandparents and older sister — a household where values were instilled not through lectures, but through living example. She learned that strength isn’t always loud; it often wears the quiet face of a woman who sacrifices comfort so her children can dream.

She studied Travel and Tourism, Literature and Languages, and explored many other paths, from aviation to marketing, always believing that the best lessons come from life itself. She trained in IATA aviation, dipped into Italian language studies, and completed short courses in IT, marketing, first aid, and even swimming — each one chosen intentionally to meet a need, to sharpen a skill, or to grow a little more in the direction of her dreams. 

Raised by her grandparents and sister, Natasha saw strength in sacrifice and value in everyday acts of care. The absence of her mother wasn’t a void — it became a compass. Natasha grew up in a neighbourhood where borrowed sugar turned into long conversations, where street games taught teamwork, and where silence often held more love than words. This environment shaped her ability to observe, to empathize, and to see the invisible effort behind every smile.

She says: “Being humble isn’t weakness. It’s knowing your worth without shouting it.”

Small moments shaped her: leaving a flower on a sick colleague’s desk, remembering a birthday, comforting a guest. That’s hospitality. And it’s those very gestures — the handwritten notes, the unexpected kindness, the emotional attentiveness — that became her signature in every hotel she stepped into. In an industry driven by check-ins and check-outs, Natasha brought presence. She didn’t just fulfill roles; she formed bonds. And it all began with the foundation laid in a home filled with quiet strength, unspoken love, and the echo of her mother’s words: “When you walk into a room, let your path speak for itself.”

Life in Hospitality

Her first real moment of hospitality happened in Abu Dhabi. A guest lost his wallet. Instead of passing the task to someone else, Natasha stayed after her 12-hour shift to help him personally in that 40-degree heat. That day, she understood true hospitality is not about the role, but the heart behind it.

That moment was not part of any formal job description. It was the end of a long, exhausting day. But when she saw the panic in the guest’s eyes — stranded without ID, money, or keys — something deeper kicked in. Rather than referring him to someone else or directing him to the police, Natasha called the bus company herself, traced the vehicle, and accompanied him after hours to the station to retrieve his belongings. Her actions were noticed by her team. HR called her the next day — not to question her, but to thank her. It was the first official recognition of what would become her signature: going the extra mile without being asked.

She faced challenges too — from being a woman in leadership to working in new cultures. Sometimes guests told her, “Go back to your country.” But she chose presence over pride, discipline over reaction. She earned respect not by words, but by showing up fully.

As a young woman of colour stepping into international leadership roles, Natasha often felt she had to prove herself first before being accepted. Her confidence wasn’t loud, but it was anchored. She didn’t lead with titles or privilege — she led with consistency, compassion, and discipline. Her approach slowly won over teams from various backgrounds — Czech, Emirati, Indian, Filipino, and Mauritian — who began to trust her, not just as a supervisor, but as someone who genuinely cared. There were difficult moments, moments when she questioned her presence in rooms where she didn’t initially feel seen. But she reminded herself: “If you lead with heart and consistency, the right people will see you.” And they did.

One team member once said, “She doesn’t just lead us. She sees us.” That, to her, is success.

Another once said, “She used her own money to decorate our back office — she brought in plants, quotes, a cookie jar. She created a little paradise for us.” These weren’t grand gestures — they were small, thoughtful choices that made people feel safe, seen, and valued. That is the kind of leadership Natasha believes in: quiet, intentional, and people-focused.

Her team once surprised her with a Swarovski chain. Remember, they did not make the most money, yet, but because she made them feel valued. That chain wasn’t just a gift. It was a message: you shine because you helped us shine.

She still carries that chain today — not for its material value, but for what it symbolises. In an industry where salaries can be tight and appreciation is often verbal, that pooled effort from her team meant everything. It was a reflection of the space she had created — one where people didn’t just work, but felt uplifted. That moment redefined success for Natasha: it wasn’t about hierarchy or awards. It was about creating environments where people thrive, quietly and collectively.

Writing ‘Heart & Hospitality’

Natasha started writing in 2013 while working abroad. At first, it was just a way to cope. Then she began sharing her stories online on Booksie in 2018, and people reached out: “I feel the same.” That gave her the strength to keep going.

In 2024, with the support of her husband Adam, a regional General Manager and the inspiration of motherhood, she completed her first book, Heart & Hospitality and had it published in Mauritius in 2025. It’s not a manual. It’s not a textbook. It’s a book of real emotions, real people, and real hotel stories.

What makes it special is how it connects with students of Travel & Tourism. While it is not part of the official Cambridge curriculum, many of the book’s themes naturally support the O-Level Travel & Tourism syllabus — especially the chapter on Customer Care.

Through simple language and lived experience, the book explores skills required when working in the travel and tourism industry:

• Importance of customer service
• Delivery of customer service
• Guest expectations and communication
• Teamwork and emotional intelligence
• Handling complaints and service recovery
• Leading with kindness in real situations

It brings those topics to life through real situations that students can truly feel and relate to. When it comes to their studies, they can even draw practical references from the book — both for local and international exams.

Book Launch and Purpose

Natasha launched the book in Mauritius on May 8, 2025. It was an emotional moment, with teachers, students, friends, and family attending. One of the young women she mentored, Emma, helped organise the venue. Her own Travel & Tourism teacher stood by her side.

The venue, Les Palétuviers, became more than just a space — it became a symbol of full-circle growth. Emma, the same young woman Natasha had once mentored into the aviation industry, returned to Mauritius and happened to run into Natasha at a mall. When Natasha told her about the upcoming book, Emma replied, “Just like you helped me take off, now I want to help your book take off too.” She then connected Natasha with the venue where she now worked — and they didn’t just agree, they welcomed the project with warmth. That simple moment reminded Natasha that when you lead with heart, others will walk beside you, no matter how many years have passed.

Standing on stage to speak, Natasha didn’t follow the speech she had prepared. She spoke from her heart. She shared her childhood story — how her mother left when she was just a year old to work abroad, how her grandparents and sister shaped her into the woman she is today, and how she could have easily gone down a different path. “I chose to make my family proud,” she said. “To turn pain into purpose.” Then, unexpectedly, tears welled up. “I didn’t plan to cry,” she admitted later. “But the emotion took over — and what shocked me most was that the audience cried with me.”

“Since then, Natasha has visited several colleges across Mauritius — including Friendship Girls College, Renganaden Seeneevassen SSS, Universal College, and the École Hôtelière Sir Gaëtan Duval — where she spoke directly with Travel & Tourism and Hotel Management students. Her message to them was simple yet powerful: “Your story matters. Hospitality is not just about hotels — it’s about people. And you can rise, no matter where you start.”

Every visit became a dialogue — not a lecture. Students asked questions, shared dreams, and in many cases, found a new sense of pride in the path they’d chosen. Natasha reminded them that Travel & Tourism isn’t just a subject — it’s a skill set for life. She credited her own growth in event planning, storytelling, public speaking, and cross-cultural empathy to that very subject. And each time she stood in front of a class, she carried not just her story, but the voice of every hotelier who’s ever felt unseen.

Moving Forward

Back in Prague, Natasha continues to share the message of Heart & Hospitality in schools, libraries, and conversations. She believes that one story, read by the right person, can change everything. If her younger self could see her now, she would smile and say, “You didn’t forget who you are. You stayed kind. You made it.”

Natasha doesn’t tell her story to be admired. She tells it so someone else can feel brave, determined and empowered.

Let this be your reminder: You don’t need perfect conditions to start. You don’t need to be loud to lead. And your voice — your heart — has power. Read the story. Feel the message. Then go write your own.

To note that Heart & Hospitality is currently available in Mauritius at Whimzical Bookstore at Pointe aux Cannoniers and Supreme Bookstore online.

Behind the Scenes: What Made Heart & Hospitality Launch Possible

The success of the Heart & Hospitality book launch would not have been possible without a group of dedicated volunteers — all former students of Mr. Yash Ramjing, now pursuing higher education or successful careers in hospitality and related fields. Among them was Mokshada, Guest Services Manager at a respected local hotel and a former college friend of Natasha. Also present was Lydia, a Real Estate Director and Natasha’s childhood and college friend, who generously accepted the role of MC for the day. With grace and warmth, Lydia welcomed the audience in English, French, and Creole, setting the perfect tone for the heartfelt event. 

Even from afar, David — Natasha’s close friend and creative support — contributed meaningfully by preparing the event banner and the official programme. Together, their efforts highlighted the lasting power of authentic connections and the collective belief in Natasha’s mission. Their presence was more than symbolic; it was a powerful reminder that connections formed through education and shared purpose can last a lifetime — and when aligned with heart and mission, those connections can move mountains.

One unforgettable moment Natasha often recalls happened years ago in a classroom of 45 students. She cried over a single mark that Mr. Ramjing deducted. But the point wasn’t taken away because she failed — it was his way of reminding her not to become overconfident, to keep striving. That small gesture left a lasting impression. Today, she jokingly says, “I’ve been carrying my teacher everywhere — to ministries, to schools, even to the printing house.”

In a time when many students hesitate to choose Travel & Tourism as a subject, Natasha strongly believes it gave her the foundation for everything — including her confidence in public speaking, event planning, and storytelling. And behind many of her steps is Mr. Ramjing, a mentor who has guided over 70 students to top national rankings in Travel & Tourism — a quiet achievement not often celebrated, but deeply impactful.

Amnah Ummé Tasneem Mudhoo Noorzai