Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast

An accomplished, forward-thinking, and customer-driven visionary, Brian leverage a strong business acumen with an entrepreneurial mindset to build companies from the ground up, providing the strategic vision for long-term growth and facilitating industry partnerships that drive market penetration, grow revenue, and deliver customer service excellence in diverse enterprises, including the Hospitality Services and Vacation Rental industries.Able to see the big picture and transition vision into innovative, industry-changing solutions, he has been recognized for launching products that drive consumer demand and transform customer engagement. A known subject matter expert and consultant, he recommends policies and technology that assist vacation rental companies in developing programs and strategies that best fit the needs of his clients. Featured in Yahoo Finance, Wall Street Journal, and Travel Weekly, he was also a competitor at the Battleground Phocuswright Conference in 2016.Leading with the understanding that the secret to a great product lies within the development team, he strives to recruit the best talent, fostering a business environment that encourages inspiration and creativity to reach the broader marketplace and exceed customer and organizational performance targets.As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you! Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company. Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands!This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link!In this episode, we explore: 03:26 - Background of the Guest09:28 - Having execution and having the right people around you12:32 - Boots on the ground workflow15:54 - Hiring In-house or outsource company?19:18 - Having the right expectation22:10 - Importance of investing in your staff28:20 - Property management software30:45 - Why communication is important34:07 - Choosing what technology to invest38:00 - How to know if the business is scalable43:26 - Executing well can give you more revenue46:02 - Guest Experience podcastConnecting with the Guest:Email: brianhamaoui@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-hamaoui/Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 2009, Greg has worked to transform TripShock into a leading booking engine for tours and activities. Proactive and personable, Mr. Fisher first developed a passion for tourism while studying hospitality at the University of Central Florida. Since then, he has grown TripShock by cultivating strong relationships with partners and employees alike. In his free time, Greg enjoys reading biographies, watching college football, and relaxing with friends and family.This episode is sponsored by Hostfully! Hostfully is an industry-leading software company that provides property managers and hoteliers with a property management platform and amazing digital custom guidebooks that will make your guests' experience with you 10X better! Use SLICKTALK20 to get $100 off of their property management platform and two months free of their premium digital guidebooks!As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link!In this episode, we explore: 02:51 - Background of the guest07:04 - Challenges in building a system11:36 - Making a lot of concessions 14:47 - Building tour operator business21:24 - Creating an audience24:52 - Biggest missed opportunities28:15 - Affiliate programs32:15 - Maximizing revenue35:29 - Expecting their needs37:13 - What’s next for TripShock?41:57 - Guest’s Podcast  - Awkward Watersport Guys PodcastConnecting with the Guest:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fisher-1b3a6514/Twittter: https://twitter.com/greg_tripshockFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hospitalitywebPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awkward-watersport-guys-podcast/id1524158798Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6HMid Roll Ad - 19:46 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-Founders of Neat Suites based out of the Cincinnati, OH area, Edward and Jeremiah co-founded the company in 2017 to address the growing need for management in the STR space. Neat Suites recently opened the Pickle Factory Boutique Hotel in Covington KY, which is a product we are really excited about sharing with our guests. Our friends at NoiseAware sponsor this episode! NoiseAware is the only 100% privacy-safe noise monitoring solution so get with NoiseAware so you don’t waste any time while you grow your professional and amazing business! Use SLICKTALK20 to get 20% off your noise devices with NoiseAware!Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message, or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands! Jetstream also sponsors this episode! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link!In this episode, we explore: 03:12 - Background of our Guests15:51 - Desperation cause innovation - how Covid affects the business24:25 - The ability to create a destination - The Pickle Factory27:33 - Pickle Factory theme28:52 - Highest performer booker37:19 - How the property is designed40:50 - Monitoring the inventory 42:31 - Why guests are paying premium rates44:00 - What’s next for Neat Suites?50:34 - Connecting with the Guest infoConnecting with the Guest:Website: https://www.theneatsuites.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneatsuites/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theneatsuitesSlick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special bonus episode to feature and recap the LiveRez Partner Conference that was happening in Boise, Idaho this week! In this episode, you will hear from Amber Knight who is the GM of LiveRez and we cover her career and personal story and then, of course, the story and evolution of LiveRez. I was honored to be the Emcee of the Partner Conference and to meet the LiveRez team & partners! To learn more about LiveRez and who they are, check out these links! Website: https://www.liverez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveRezSoftware Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liverezsoftware/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liverez/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse is a growth-oriented serial entrepreneur with a passion for Product, UX, and Technology. Jesse is the Chief Product Officer and Co-founder of Frontdesk, a leading tech-enabled urban short-term rental brand. Today, Frontdesk operates in 35 cities with over 250 talented employees. Jesse is a champion for all-things growth at Frontdesk, which includes leading the technology, sales, and marketing teams, while also nurturing key strategic relationships for the company. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Milwaukee. Jesse is a proud husband and father of three boys, and a complete nerd at heart. This episode is sponsored by our friends at NoiseAware! NoiseAware is the only 100% privacy-safe noise monitoring solution so get with NoiseAware so you don’t waste any time while you grow your professional and amazing business! Use SLICKTALK20 to get 20% off your noise devices with NoiseAware! Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company. Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message, or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link! In this episode, we explore: 03:20 - Guest Background 06:57 - Technology and automation is the key to solve complex operations 08:16 - Creating guest experience during Covid 10:24 - Challenges in the business 18:04 - Finding a great leader 19:28 - Managing the internal culture 24:27 - Not all things need to be automated 27:34 - Celebrating victories as the founder 31:39 - The biggest impact of Covid 33:58 - Hiring Skillsets vs Mindsets 41:32 - Scaling a large network of professionally managed tech-enabled apartments 43:02 - Managing the quality 48:23 - Connect with the guest Connecting with the Guest: Website: https://www.stayfrontdesk.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stayfrontdesk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayfrontdesk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontdeskinc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayfrontdesk/ Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Mid Roll Ad - 24:40 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Curtis, CCHP, co-founded RESIDE Worldwide, Inc. in November 2017. Lee and his partners believe that the traditional corporate housing industry is in a state of evolution and is being driven by the acceleration of interest in alternative housing globally. RESIDE’s core purpose is to transform the way that extended stay travel is purchased with a focus on delivering global travel solutions for enterprise companies with global needs. Mr. Curtis is active in the corporate housing industry, having served on the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) board of directors from 2003-2008 and then again from 2015-present. From 2004-2007 he additionally served as Vice President and Chairman and again as Chairman from 2019 through 2021. His companies have won over 13 Tower of Excellence awards for Company of the Year, Marketing Campaigns of the year, and various other accolades from the association. He is also the recipient of CHPA’s “Provider Member of the Year – Individual” award. In June of 2020, Lee was awarded the “CEO Excellence Award for Innovation” from CEO Magazine for innovation in global furnished accommodations. In February 2021, Mr. Curtis was awarded the CHPA’s Industry Impact Award. Formerly known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, this award is given to an individual that has made significant and lasting contributions to the industry. As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you! Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company. Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message, or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link! In this episode, we explore: 03:10 - Guest Background 06:12 - What was the pull for hospitality 17:02 - How ROTC refine your leadership ability 24:39 - Different offerings of RESIDE company 31:09 - How RESIDE company deals with Covid 35:18 - Goal for RESIDE in the 360 Platform 40:03 - Tools and Systems that allows you to aggregate expenses 44:49 - Evolution of RESIDE - corporate housing 49:24 - Evolution of Business travel 51:59 - What’s next for RESIDE Connecting with the Guest: Website: https://staywithreside.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-curtis-cchp-17196210/ Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Autohost CPO and co-founder, Ela Mezhiborsky, handles the intersection of customer success and product development, setting priorities and driving the product roadmap based on client feedback. Before transitioning to SaaS, her career involved working in risk management, running her own digital marketing agency, and managing a successful short-term rental business in Toronto. In fact, it was her experience in the short-term rental industry that exposed her and her co-founders to the massive security void plaguing property managers. It’s the reason they built Autohost. This episode is in honor of Anton who was also a co-founder of Autohost and unexpectedly passed away a little over a year ago today. Please go listen to Antons previous episode that came out exactly one year ago today, September 30th. This episode is sponsored by our friends at NoiseAware! NoiseAware is the only 100% privacy-safe noise monitoring solution so get with NoiseAware so you don’t waste any time while you grow your professional and amazing business! Use SLICKTALK20 to get 20% off your noise devices with NoiseAware! Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company. Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message, or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link! In this episode, we explore: 04:28 - Ela’s story 11:44 - Preventing fraudulent reservation 16:28 - Importance of KYC (Know your client) 18:56 - Why do we need to screen the guest 21:20 - Maintaining the accuracy of the guest screening 25:33 - Factors in making an assessment 28:11 - Biggest Red Flag indicator 31:52 - Better safe than sorry strategy 36:12 - Best payment processing - Stripe 40:34 - Creating a virtual check-in 47:27 - Trust & Safety In Hospitality 51:32 - Connect with Ela Connecting with the Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elamezhiborsky/ Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael is the head of business development for NoiseAware and has been a part of the short term rental community since 2015. He is a 2x Phocuswright 35 under 35 leader who is committed to bettering the short term rental industry. Michael's role is focused on collaboration with the OTA's, partnering with cities for sensible regulation, developing key industry partnerships and leading the charge into new segments of hospitality like flexible rentals. On a personal side, he is obsessed with travel, volleyball, and the dad of a 2 year old boy! This episode is sponsored by Hostfully & Operto! Running a great property management company means you need a great property management platform and the ability to give automated access to your guests so you don’t waste your time doing things manually all the time! Upgrade your techstack and get this dynamic duo to power your business! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link! In this episode, we explore: 04:27 - Things happening since Covid-19 09:46 - Why does this kind of host have to be kicked-off 12:41 - Flexible Rentals 15:26 - Does workforce housing stay until 2022? 17:54 - Labor shortage in the hotel industry 21:16 - Importance of the guest experience 26:31 - How NoiseAware is solving the noise issue 29:24 - What’s new with NoiseAware? Connecting with the Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgoldin1/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/goldin1 Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H #ShortTermRentals #HospitalityIndustry #Partnerships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Killeen’s hospitality career officially began after participating in the hotel management program at Vancouver Community College. While in school, Ryan started cleaning bathrooms and making beds with the housekeeping team at the Fairmont Pacific Rim — considered Vancouver’s definitive luxury hotel. He was climbing the ladder at a healthy pace and was presented with an opportunity to join the opening team in Dubai at Fairmont the Palm. Without processing what this meant, Ryan said yes. Living in Dubai, working with 52 different nationalities, and leading the guest services team was the most eye-opening experience of my life. For Ryan and fellow North Americans, it was an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and open the floodgates to new opportunities back home. For others, it was an opportunity to provide for their families and give their children a future. After returning to North America, Ryan took on progressive roles in Vancouver, Calgary, Boston that included sales, business development, leadership, and operations for Sonder, a ‘Hometel’ company bringing together the authenticity of peer-to-peer home rental plus the dependable, elevated services of a hotel. Currently, Ryan operates the Annex Hotel in Toronto as GM. As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you! Smart locks, Smart thermostats, automation, and a solution for any hotel and vacation rental company. Our show partners at Operto are the leading solution for operators to enhance their operations by integrating with your property management software and making sure all smart devices create a contactless guest experience while streamlining operations. Check them out on their website, send me a message or just let them know Wil sent you and you’ll be in great hands! This episode is also sponsored by Jetstream! Jetstream is a full-service hospitality solution with a powerful team behind it! To learn more about Jetstream, just click this link! In this episode, we explore: 02:52 - Background of the Guest 06:47 - Disadvantages of having an overcomplicated system 08:07 - Using Technology vs Old school way 09:35 - Technology role in the hospitality industry 13:00 - Shifting to Sonder and Airbnb 15:56 - What is it like to be an established company? 19:32 - What is Annex? 23:15 - Adopting Technology - from traditional to high-tech hotel 26:19 - Consolidating Tech hacks 29:29 - Prediction when shifting to high-end vacation rentals Connecting with the Guest: Website: https://theannex.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankkilleen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annexhotels/?hl=en Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex has led the strategic marketing and business development efforts for Condo-World since 2009. She manages a team that has grown the company from a local vacation rental business into a nationally recognized condo marketing and technology enterprise. Alex has a passion for developing strategies that drive sales overnight and brand over time, connecting all aspects of digital, social and traditional marketing to keep Condo-World at the forefront of their highly competitive market.  This episode is sponsored by Hostfully! Hostfully is an industry-leading software company that provides property managers and hoteliers with a property management platform and amazing digital custom guidebooks that will make your guests' experience with you 10X better! Use SLICKTALK20 to get $100 off of their property management platform and two months free of their premium digital guidebooks!  As a property manager, business owner, and entrepreneur, you already have so much to do in a 24 hour time period. Don’t let the worry of your property being damaged and focus back on growing your business with Safely! Safely is a proud sponsor and I love that I can use them for my business to ensure my properties are safe, protected and my homeowners know that I think of their asset as my asset too! Go to Safely.com and sign up today and let them know Wil sent you! In this episode, we explore:  04:23 - Alex and Condo-World Background  08:36 - Key to Success  13:16 - Importance of Marketing  19:10 - Steps for Branding package  22:32 - Technology Program  29:02 - Making successful partnerships  32:40 - Software Connectivity Piece  36:55 - Finding Gaps to fill  39:19 - What’s next for Condo-World?  Connecting with the Guest:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner-%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.o.husner  Slick Talk Website & Socials: https://bit.ly/3uCsm6H  Mid Roll Ad - 20:53 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices