Implementing art and music, seeing potential, and giving back are the key pillars that Mr. Richard Kessler brings to his business. As the Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Collection, and over 50 years of experience in the field of hospitality, Mr. Kessler shares in his unique story. Mr. Kessler discusses his transition from helping found Days Inn to pioneering boutique hotels before they were even a recognized category. He reflects on the resilience needed to navigate economic crises, his passion for creating beautiful spaces, and the significance of hospitality in making guests feel cared for and entertained. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kessler highlights his philanthropic efforts, including building an ecumenical family retreat center and an orphanage, driven by his vision of seeing and nurturing potential in people and places. The episode encapsulates his dedication to leaving a lasting impact through both his business ventures and charitable initiatives.

Takeaways:

Emphasize creating memorable and emotionally impactful experiences for guests.
Recognize potential in both people and properties. Look for unique opportunities to transform properties into high-value assets.
Be prepared for external challenges like economic downturns and industry-specific crises. Develop resilience and a problem-solving mindset to navigate tough times effectively.
Incorporate elements that can set your property apart, such as boutique aesthetics and special themes.
Engage directly with guests to understand their experiences and gather feedback. Use guest feedback to continuously improve service and offerings.
Look for ways to give back to the community and support charitable causes, in any way that you can.

Quote of the Show:

“ It's a process of caring for people and entertaining people all at the same time. Some people need more care, some people need more entertainment.” - Richard Kessler

Links:

Shout Outs:

0:51 - Days Inn https://corporate.wyndhamhotels.com/our-brands/days-inn/
3:54 - The New Ebenezer https://www.newebenezer.org/
4:09 - Georgia Tech https://www.gatech.edu/
5:44 - University of Georgia https://www.uga.edu/
7:17 - Cecil Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_B._Day
10:48 - Motel 6 https://www.motel6.com/en/home.html
10:59 - Holiday Inn https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/reservation
22:37 - Paul Volcker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Volcker
26:43 - Mulberry Inn https://www.innatmulberrygrove.com/
27:13 - The Pirate’s House https://thepirateshouse.com/
36:40 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi
37:35 - The Bohemian Hotel https://www.kesslercollection.com/bohemian-savannah/
39:02 - The Grand Bohemian https://www.kesslercollection.com/bohemian-orlando/
51:34 - Treutlen House https://treutlenhouse.com/
53:09 - From Houses to Homes https://www.fromhousestohomes.org/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
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Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/

Art, Vision, and Impact in Hospitality - Richard Kessler - Defining Hospitality - Episode # 187