Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Redefining Island Hospitality: Natajia Miller’s Story of Resilience
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Natajia Miller
Date: December 13, 2025

Overview:

This episode dives into the inspiring journey of Natajia Miller, a Bahamian entrepreneur who took her mother’s dream and—despite daunting odds—turned Embrace Resort into a beacon of authentic island hospitality. Sharing wisdom on resilience, the roots of her "because," and a leadership style forged by adversity, Natajia reveals how personal legacy, community, and heartfelt service define the next generation of Caribbean luxury.

Discovering "Because": Legacy, Loyalty, and Leadership

• Natajia’s "Because":
  Natajia frames her “because” as a deep responsibility—to her mother’s legacy, her dedicated team, and her young cousin who looks up to her.

  "My because is because I can’t let my mom have blood, sweat and tears paved the way for me, for me to drop the ball. Now, my because is because my team has been so loyal to me. I can only be loyal to them by giving them what they need for their families as well as what they deserve as human beings on the job. My because is because I have a little cousin who looks up to me, and I need to continue to be that role model that she so believes in." —Natajia (02:54)

[02:32-03:31]

Building Embrace Resort: From Island Girl’s Dream to Family Legacy

The Family Story and Origin

• Natajia’s mother started as a cleaner in a local yacht club before rising through the ranks and becoming the go-to person for visitors’ needs.
• The grandmother’s insight sparked their first business: a concierge service named "3Ns" for Nelly (grandmother), Nicole (mother), and Natajia (herself).
• Despite skepticism from family and banks (“Big dreams are not for small island girls”), her mother bootstrapped every villa, dollar by dollar.

[03:51-07:37]

"She was using the money from three ends. She’d take $50, go buy some wood, take another $50, go buy some nails, take another $50 and pay somebody to put the nails in the wood. So the resort was built one by one by one..." —Natajia

Global Learning: How International Experience Shaped Leadership

Academic and Professional Roots

• Natajia’s drive led to multiple degrees and leadership roles in college.
• Exposure to global cultures as a student mentor and hotelier opened her perspective beyond her home island.

Career Overseas

• Worked in the US before moving to Dubai for three years, leading in a highly diverse hotel environment (67+ nationalities).
• Lived in rural China, where language barriers humbled her and reinforced the need for community and humility in leadership.

[07:58-15:01]

"Dubai was amazing...not because of the glitz...but because culturally, it’s as cosmopolitan as it gets." —Natajia (12:36)
"China...took that independent, I can do whatever I want and put it back into the box of humble island girl.” —Natajia

Returning Home: Crisis Leadership During COVID-19

Facing the Pandemic

• Returned home just before COVID-19 struck. Overnight, bookings evaporated, refunds soared, and the sustainability of Embrace Resort was under threat.

Rebuilding Operations & Team Cohesion

• Discovered resort finances were managed via a literal box of receipts; had to self-teach cash flow management.
• Prioritized refunding guests despite limited cash, took out loans, and ensured the team’s welfare via pay reductions and in-kind support (food staples).
• Maintained team morale with weekly meetings, social gatherings, and constant communication.

Transformative Impact

• The crisis forged team loyalty and resilience.
• Natajia infused the resort with her Dubai-inspired service ethos—meticulous attention to detail, but with an emphasis on authentic care.

[15:39-23:37]

"There is nothing that my master's degree could teach me in cash flow management that could help me in this moment." —Natajia (16:52) "Caring. Service comes from caring...this is service, of course, we can give you a cold towel...but caring..." —Natajia (21:24)
"The world is losing out on...true human connection—so we are definitely going to continue to be the catalyst for that for sure." —Natajia

The Embrace Experience: What Sets It Apart

Personalized, Heartfelt Hospitality

• Embrace Resort’s key differentiators: Peace, Privacy, Personalized Service
• Repeat visitor rate of 40-50%; guests return for the human connection—not just location or amenities.
• Guest stories: from the return of repeat guest Amy (since the single villa days) to the moving experience of granting a German boy's dying wish.

[28:29-35:36]

"When guests come back, they come back to see Deck Sea, to visit Gabby, to see Tasia...Peace, privacy and personalized service." —Natajia (28:29) "We have time for your stories. We only have seven rooms. We have time to sit with you by the pool...to remember that you like your coffee with almond milk and a splash of vanilla." —Natajia (35:36)

Embracing the Resort’s Uniqueness

• Shifted mindset: No longer comparing to luxury giants, embracing "barefoot luxury" and the irreplaceable gift of time, connection, and personal care.

Rapid Fire Q&A: Light and Fun

[35:54-39:02]

• Favorite Bahamian dish to serve first-night guests:

  "Oh, it has to be conch. It starts with conch. Everything revolves around conch...then guava duff for dessert...and conch fritters as the appetizer." —Natajia (35:59)

• Guests’ reaction to swimming with pigs:

  "Oh my God. Yay. Which day? We have people that come here just for them." —Natajia (37:03)

• What surprises visitors about island life:

  "That island life has so much beauty and peace...no police cars, never been a stabbing...my house has been open for six years." —Natajia (37:23)

• Energizing song:

  "Anything Caribbean...I used to do dancehall when I was in college, but I got saved—hallelujah, you know?" —Natajia (38:10)

• Travel bucket list:

  "Australia. People want to come to the Bahamas for the pigs, I want to go to Australia for the kangaroos..." —Natajia (38:43)

Staying Connected

• Natajia’s Socials & Resort Info:
  • LinkedIn: Natajia Miller
  • Facebook: Natasha Miller
  • Instagram: @EmbraceStanielKey
  • Facebook: Embrace Staniel Key

[39:11-39:39]

Notable Quotes & Final Moments

• On Leadership and Impact:

  "You are the epitome of amazing leadership. And I am very proud of you and proud to be called your friend." —Natajia (39:52)

• Mick’s Send-Off:

  "Remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it." —Mick (40:19)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Natajia’s “Because” and Family Legacy: [02:54–03:31]
• Origin Story of Embrace Resort: [03:51–07:37]
• Career Journey Abroad: [12:36–15:01]
• Leading Through COVID: [15:39–23:37]
• Personal Touch and Repeat Guests: [28:29–35:36]
• Guest’s emotional stories (German family): [28:29–35:36]
• Rapid Fire Q&A: [35:52–39:02]

Summary:

This episode of "Mick Unplugged" is a masterclass in resilience, legacy-driven leadership, and the power of authentic hospitality. Through candid storytelling, Natajia Miller demonstrates that true luxury is found in caring for people—not just in opulence, but through service rooted in legacy, empathy, and genuine connection. The story of Embrace Resort stands as a testament to what’s possible when a determined island girl, her family, and her loyal team refuse to let adversity define their destiny.