Defining Hospitality

Checking in for today’s episode of Defining Hospitality is a passionate member of the hospitality space who sees design through a unique lens. She’s a design maven who flawlessly utilizes her skills for business development. Joining us today is Associate, and Director of Business Development at Looney Associates, Molly McDonald. Molly joins host Dan Ryan to share her journey from Designer to Director, explore hospitality as a sense of community, and explain why you’re never stuck in one bucket in the industry.  Takeaways: For Molly, her definition of hospitality has changed with her career. When she started, hospitality was a space she designed within. As her career progressed, hospitality began to evolve into a feeling of community, highlighting the importance of collaboration. As a young designer you may feel worried about getting stuck in one place for too long. You’re not limited to one path, but a change doesn’t need to come externally. If you vocalize your wants to your company, you can find a fulfilling change internally. Every client facing business relies on strong customer relationships, and hospitality is no different. In the hospitality design industry, client relationships can last up to 5 years, and you need to be prepared to work with that client for a long time frame. If you’re looking to get into business development, having a strong design background is crucial. To effectively sell, you need to know what you’re selling, and be able to speak to nuances in schedules, processes, vendors, and more. While there are many talented driven designers out there, there are only a handful of lead designer roles at firms. For designers looking for other high caliber roles, business development allows you to both utilize your design skills, and drive growth for your firm. While Revit and BIM may feel like overkill on some projects, they provide value in communicating ideas to clients. 3d renders give a better sense of the project to decision makers who aren’t familiar with reading floor plans. Hospitality design has gotten more and more intricate. More frequently, designers are interacting with architects at early stages, and providing the lens of hospitality to non-traditional projects like senior living facilities and social clubs. Quote of the Show:“I've always loved getting to know everybody and I didn't realize that I could turn that into my job.” - Molly McDonaldLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-mcdonald-5ba68b38/ Website: https://www.looney-associates.com/ Email: mollym@looney-associates.com Shout Outs:Southern Living MagazineHeather O'Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-o-sullivan-1a33b5b/ James Looney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-looney-209a15a/John Nelson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-nelson-66358514/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

Today’s guest is an expert in the hospitality industry who has established his firm as the 3rd most successful US brokerage firm within the hospitality industry. He’s the host of the weekly series Teague Walks and Teague Talks where he focuses on outstanding properties and the people behind them. Joining the show this week is President & CEO at Hunter Hotel Advisors, Teague Hunter. Teague sits down with Host Dan Ryan to discuss how he got started in hospitality, the challenges of operating a hotel, and how Private Equity firms changed the hotel landscape.Takeaways: Most people view hospitality either on the operations and service side, or the physical buildings side. For Teague, hospitality is a way of life. It’s what he was raised in, and is something he has built a life and career in. When Private Equity firms started investing in hospitality, it changed the landscape. To investment firms, properties became a number on a spreadsheet. Where PE firms faced their biggest challenge was understanding the operational nuances of hotels. As hotels have evolved to include rooftop bars, bistros, and restaurants, assessing value gets more complicated. However, by bundling those assets together, you can purchase them for a 6-7% cap rate, rather than a 10+% cap rate separately.  Typical investment properties like office space or multifamily units offer fairly straight forward investments. Hotels offer more revenue, but require a higher level of operational talent. Good operators can make a hotel, while bad operators will break one. Hotels are not cookie cutter, and there is no reason their management should be either. Each hotel will have a regional aspect to it, and when looking to invest in a hotel, you need to pair with management that can support those attributes. While investors are responsible for managing the bottom line, success starts with your employees. Employees are your number one customer, and if you take care of your people first, it all trickles down after that. While Hunter Hotel Advisors has grown as a business, it remains a family business with a core focus on its people. Their culture of teamwork and open communication has fostered an environment of success. Quote of the Show:“We can speak to Wall Street, our DNA is in Main Street.” - Teague HunterLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teaguehunter/  Company website: https://www.hunterhotels.net/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeagueTalks  Shout Outs:Glenn Haussman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennhaussman/ Danny Meyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhmeyer/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube :https://youtu.be/p7vNlBjNTV4 

On this episode of Defining Hospitality we’re shining a spotlight on the work of a previous guest and fellow hospitality podcaster. Josiah Mackenzie is the publisher of Hotel Operations, and the host and writer of the Hospitality Daily podcast and blog. We’re excited to share this compilation episode with recent interviews from Josiah’s podcast. The guests featured today are CEO & President of Four Sisters Inns Tamara Mims, General Manager at the Enso for Kimpton Hotels Marlon Smith, Founder of The June Britt Morgan-Saks, and VP of Strategic Growth at eBerry by Nordic Choice Hotels Christian Lundén. We hope you enjoy. Tamara Mims: “Don't nickel and dime your guests.”Key Takeaway: Complimentary amenities go a long way in increasing the value a guest has at your establishment. The hotels Tamara works with often offer complimentary wine and cheese, parking, internet, and even bicycles for guests to enjoy. While you need to increase room rates to balance out expenses, offering these amenities makes guests feel special.  Episode: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/2103299/12407793 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramims/ Company: https://www.foursisters.com/ Marlon Smith: “We are ambassadors.”Key Takeaway: In the hospitality industry, you get to be an ambassador for your local community. You should be providing your guests with the keys to the local experiences that highlight the culture and history of your area. Ultimately, you want your guests to be as excited about the area as you are. Episode: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/2103299/12198882 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlon-smith-5329a856/ Company: https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/reservation Britt Morgan-Saks: “Lessons for hospitality from NYC nightlife.”Key Takeaway: The “vibe” and feeling of a space is what will ultimately make repeat guests out of first-timers. That magical, exciting, energetic feeling is the most important aspect, but replicating it at scale can be difficult. You can’t be everywhere at once, so hiring people who can bring the same energy and experience is crucial. Episode: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/2103299/12158043 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-morgan-saks-93506253/ Christian Lundén: “How we are providing hospitality outside the walls of our hotels.”Key Takeaway: Your most frequent guests may only spend 60 days at your location, and creating that feeling of hospitality for the rest of the year is a challenge. To address this Christian’s company created a “hotel feeling” service that provides cleaning, bathrobes, soaps, and more directly to your house. Episode: https://podcast.hospitalitydaily.com/2103299/12268901 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-lund%C3%A9n-64180a25/ Company: https://www.nordicchoicehotels.com/ Josiah’s Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/ Hotel Operations: https://hoteloperations.com/Hospitality Daily: https://www.hospitalitydaily.com/ Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419

Today’s guest is an innovative industry leader, who is responsible for leading Woodbine's investment strategy across all asset types. Please welcome to the show, Dupree Scovell! Dupree is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Woodbine Development Corporation, and he joins the host Dan Ryan to share his view on hospitality and how his journey brought him to where he is now. Takeaways: For Dupree, hospitality comes from a deep spiritual state. It is something that can extend to everyone in every aspect of our lives. It’s not just something that you extend to someone staying in a guest room.In any industry, you will never be able to go without some sort of conflict at some point. Even when that happens, it’s important to handle yourself by looking for common ground and make sure to avoid looking at it as a zero sum game.There are 5 core values that Dupree’s company lives by; Relationships, Effort, Accountability, Conviction and Humility. At the end of the day, humility and relationships are the most important aspects for Dupree.When looking ahead for your company, you want to consider what you are building for and what the ultimate goal is in the end. It’s not always about being the biggest company but sometimes it’s about enduring as a company.If there is any sort of conflict within your company, you will end up going back to your values and those will help you determine the solution.For the future, Dupree takes a methodical and intentional approach rather than letting what others are worrying about get to him and affect his view. If Dupree could go back in time to talk to his younger self, he would give him the advice that his identity isn’t just his grades or the sports he has played, but rather the person he is at his core. Quote of the Show:2:39 “Hospitality is a deep spiritual value.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dscovell/Website: https://www.woodbinedevelopment.com/Shout Outs:06:27 Greg Massey06:29 First United Bank13:19 Hunt Companies18:18 Trammell Crow18:19 Bob Sulentic18:26 CBRE23:43 Hyatt23:47 James Franque27:35 Small Giants by Bo Burlingham28:49 Paul Quinn College28:57 Dr. Michael Sorrell30:07 Dallas Independent School District30:12 Hillcrest High School31:19 Scovell ScholarsWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube : https://youtu.be/8V99CaAcEUY

Today’s guest disrupted the hospitality industry twice, and he took an inner city motel and turned it into the 2nd largest boutique hotel brand in America. He was once the global head of hospitality at AirBnb. Please welcome to the show, Chip Conley! Chip is the Founder of the Modern Elder Academy and the Author of the book Emotional Equations. Chip has also received the Pioneer reward, the highest honor in hospitality. He joins the host Dan Ryan to talk about the meaning of hospitality and how he sees it through his lens.Takeaways: The core feeling of hospitality is having the feeling that something is delivered to you rather than for you. It’s a combination of the science of service and the art of hospitality.Through Chip’s perspective, the saying isn’t “you are what you eat” but rather “you are where you sleep”. In thi case, you want to provide your guests with a great experience and comfortable and relaxing spot for them to sleep in.When you look at your business from an outside perspective, you want to really think about how you are operating your business in a way that elevates you or differentiates you from the rest.Rather than staking your claim on something others do and you claim you do it better, you should really focus on what makes you different from everyone else and maximize it.When it comes to being a great leader, psychology can be one of the greatest strengths that you can have. Oftentimes, when people reach their midlife point they lose their purpose in life and what their goal is. Chip seeks to help people find the purpose that they once had and reinvigorate their life. Quote of the Show:5:01 “Service is really a science, but hospitality is an art.” Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChipConleyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf/Website: https://www.modernelderacademy.com/Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Work-Making-Modern-Elder/dp/0525572902https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Equations-Creating-Happiness-Business/dp/1451607261Shout Outs:1:43 The Hotel Phoenix4:43 Danny Meyer5:22 Hospitality Quotient8:02 Rolling Stone Magazine8:58 Hotel Vitale9:08 Dwell Magazine9:10 Real Simple Magazine9:34 Ian Schrager9:35 Kimpton11:52 Peter Drucker13:32 Brian Chesky25:38 Hilton25:39 Marriott26:43 Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl40:17 Andrew Alford45:52 The Good Life by Dr. Bob Waldinger50:36 American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird50:43 Cormac McCarthy56:28 10,000 Waves1;01:50 Oscar WildeWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube : https://youtu.be/i_sah7Jx150

Today’s guest is passionate about travel, art, history, and horseback riding. She authored her masters thesis toward a study of the intersection of advocacy, historic preservation, and architecture and has completed hotel renovations nationwide from conception through close-out. Please welcome to the show, Shannon Seay! Shannon is the Partner and Project Director at H-CPM, and the founder of an industry Networking Collective. Shannon joins the host Dan Ryan to share her thoughts on the hospitality industry. Takeaways: The core idea of hospitality is about crafting a community that is inclusive where people are excited to take part in it. It is the difference between place making and space making.Every single thing in each of our lives has helped us to develop the perspective that we hold, and it’s the job of the professionals in the hospitality industry to put that together.When someone is staying at any place that is in the realm of the hospitality industry (hostel, hotel, motel), they are home away from and finding a place to rest.Rest necessitates comfort, and you can’t truly be comfortable if you are in a place that doesn’t speak to you.A successful team isn’t a team that has no problems, but rather a team that solves its problems efficiently, coherently and in a professional manner. This applies to all industries as this will make a team act as a better unit.Core values for your company aren’t something that are just written up and put on a piece of paper or a website to get a new deal. They are values that each and every team member really needs to embody and represent.Everything comes down to a collaborative discussion. When it comes to the custom design space, there are a lot of different people that are involved in that aspect so it’s important to get everyone on the same page, even if that means compromising somewhere.Quote of the Show:1:54 “To me, hospitality is placemaking.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-seay-28160532/Website: https://h-cpm.com/Shout Outs:4:42 Hersha Hospitality Management6:56 Radio Kismet6:58 University of Pennsylvania Law School11:31 Damon Lawrence11:32 Homage14:16 ILC 14:50 Andrew Benioff19:23 Justin Chace19:39 Steve Siegel24:57 Small Giants by Bo Burlingham25:02 Ani DiFranco26:27 Daniel del Olmo 26:29 Sage27:15 Will Guidara 34:59 The Irish Cottage Inn37:35 1 Hotel39:13 Good Shepherd41:05 Chip Conley41:08 Modern Elder AcademyWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube : https://youtu.be/B5iqc9TS68Q

Today’s guest uses the spaces he creates to tell a story, all while re-imagining the visual landscape through stylish, spirited and sophisticated design. Currently, he is working on a diverse array of residential and commercial projects, including high profile hotels, restaurants, and retail. Please welcome to the show, Dan Mazzarini! Dan is the Owner and Creative Director at BHDM Design. He joins the host Dan Ryan to share his views on the hospitality industry and what it means to him. Takeaways: Hospitality boils down to two key components; Anticipating the guests needs and exceeding their expectations. Without these being in place then it is not true hospitality you are delivering.The longer that Dan has spent in the design field, the more he has realized that it is more of a service field. It’s all about the end user and the notion of trying to meet their needs while going above and beyond what they expect. While working at Ralph Lauren, Dan spent time helping people with their apartments on the weekends. During this time he discovered that not only does he like retail, but he was also enjoying the relationships with personal clients. One thing that holds people back from following their dreams is their fear. But if you think about the worst case scenario for starting your own business, it’s worth the risk to try and venture out on your own.Don’t be afraid to ask for the better option or to underscore the importance or value of something that is authentic. This will help set you apart from the rest of the designers as no two people will have the same idea of authentic design.It’s important to evolve your business as time goes on. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and work on a project that is unfamiliar to you as it can help you grow in a tremendous way.Designers for hospitality are in the business of building spaces for people to come together and experience the physical environments around them.Quote of the Show:3:19 “I think [hospitality] is really about two small things. One is anticipating needs and the second is exceeding expectations.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mazzarini-95553117/Website: https://www.bhdmdesign.com/archivebydm.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/danmazzarini/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/archivebydanmazzarini/?next=%2FShout Outs:1:21 The Virgin hotel1:22 Ritz Carlton1:34 Eventi Hotel5:51 Ralph Lauren6:32 Kramer Design6:35 Robin Kramer6:35 Philip Rosenswag7:30 Michael Kors7:47 Macy’s7:48 Bloomingdale’s10:05 Jennifer Lopez10:06 Water Work Studio10:10 Movado Watches10:12 Shiseido Cosmetics13:20 Trading Spaces13:24 HGTV13:47 The Lion15:43 Lord’s South Beach20:43 Brimfield Flea Market23:14 Wheel of Fortune42:19 the Brian Paul HotelWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419YouTube : https://youtu.be/QOwxtAmhkxs

Today’s guest is a valued member of the hospitality community with over 30 years of experience. She consistently composes and collaborates with world-class teams of architects and designers to execute unique and innovative hotel concepts. Please welcome to the show, Christina Zimmer. Christina is the Senior Vice President of Design at Highgate Hotels, and she joins the host Dan Ryan to share her views on hospitality and how it interacts with the world around us.Takeaways: According to the original definition from Webster’s dictionary, hospitality has always been about the experiences that you can give guests rather than the actual location or the food you provide them with.Every now and then, it’s nice to get outside of your own environment and try working on different kinds of projects. It’s like a breath of fresh air and helps you to gain a new perspective on future projects you will have.Culture plays an important role in hospitality. When you go to a unique place or another country, you can immerse yourself in the culture and really experience the place you are at.The most fond memory that Christina has of her trip to Europe was her visit to the Louisiana Museum in Denmark. She holds this memory close to her because she went to that museum with her mother.We all stand on the shoulders of those who have helped us reach our goals and be where we are today. It’s important to acknowledge this and respect those around you and be a positive leader yourself.There is a certain sensibility to Danish design that permeates the entire Danish society, and this helped to lead Christina to discover her passion at an early age.An interesting challenge facing hospitality now is how can you make furniture and design more sustainable for a modern age, while also being comfortable and welcoming.Quote of the Show:2:06 “It's not about just giving you a place to sleep and some food to eat. It's about much more than that. The original definition did come from the experiences that you would give to a guest. So it's much deeper than just meeting the basic needs.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-zimmer-4b17ba11/Website: https://www.highgate.com/Shout Outs:7:17 Stonehill Taylor14:17 Guggenheim22:05 Turner22:58 Louisiana Museum in Denmark27:16 Paul Taylor34:39 Refinery Hotel in New York39:19 Tales of the City by 40:46 Waiting for Guffman41:35 Park Central San Francisco41:38 Hyatt42:28 Berman Faulk46:55 Kimpton47:05 MC Escher52:41 Hilton 52:41 MarriottWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube : https://youtu.be/Lh76kNqYXh0

Today’s guest is a 2022 Inductee into Interior Design Hall Of Fame,and he approaches design with 5 key elements; sustainability, technology, the client, timelessness and innovation. He pushes beyond the familiar to create buildings and interiors that are distinctive, imaginative and site specific. Please welcome to the show, Gray Davis! Gray is the Co-Owner & Co-Founder of Meyer Davis, Designer. Gray joins the host Dan Ryan to share his inspirations from the hospitality world and how he journeyed his way through this beautiful industry.Takeaways: Hospitality is all about the experiences for the guest. It allows the owner or operator of the hotel to be a storyteller and provide the guest with a unique experience that they won’t be able to receive elsewhere.When you are designing a hotel, you want to make sure that it is a welcoming environment to the guest, and the best way to do this is by being a good listener. Think about the goals the brand or the client wants to achieve and use it as a guide. Typically, design firms are focused on one area but you can learn from every project you work on. This prevents people from being pigeonholed and allows a designer to see all the perspectives on different projects. If Gray could go back and see his younger self, the biggest piece of advice he would offer is to follow your passion. Through all the struggles that he faced, he wouldn’t change anything for the outcome he got.At the end of the day, the design for a hotel should be something that puts a smile on someone’s face  or shines a light on something that they never knew or thought before. A great idea can come from anywhere and anyone on the team. It doesn’t matter what role they play, whoever has the best idea is the one that you should run with.Quote of the Show:3:24 “There's nothing more rewarding than completing a project, a hotel or resort, somewhere and then seeing how people experience it and react to it.”Links:Website: https://www.meyerdavis.com/Hoist fixtures: https://rbw.com/collections/hoistShout Outs:1:21 Will Meyer1:26 Cindy Allen1:27 Interior Design Magazine7:41 Dream Hotel in Nashville9:34 W Hotels10:25 Marriott15:18 Randy Gerber 15:20 Cindy Crawford21:11 Rich, Brilliant and Willing28:53 Stacy Shoemaker28:59 Nick Jones29:01 SoHo House33:56 David Brawley34:40 John Saladino35:03 Four Seasons35:43 Guacame Siegel35:50 Aero35:50 Bill Sofield35:51 Thomas O’Brien36:34 Raul’s in SoHo41:53 Red Sea Development CompanyWays to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419YouTube : https://youtu.be/0XKTOcJCBfc

Today’s guest is an entrepreneur and opportunist at heart. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has discovered his favorite part is “wowing” his clients. Please welcome to the show, Scott Lee! Scott is the President and Principal at SB Architects. Scott joins the host Dan Ryan to share his experiences from working on the architecture of a prison to where he is now.  Takeaways: Hospitality at its core is about truly experiencing the place you are staying at. Whether it’s going away on vacation or visiting a familiar place, a great hospitality experience is defined by coming home and sharing stories of what you experienced while away.When you are looking to add people to your design firm, you want to strike the balance of getting like minded individuals as well as getting people that will help push the envelope in a positive way. Hiring people that are a cultural fit for your firm is a key component of doing interviews. If they aren’t a cultural fit, then don’t waste time looking at their drawings or design ideas as it will never work out right.One way to keep employees motivated and committed to your company is to sell them a piece of the company. This way they behave like owners and take more responsibility and they will feel a sense of ownership and pride as the company grows.New ideas can come from anybody at a company. There is no such thing as bad ideas so it’s a good idea to make your company feel like it’s an open environment where everyone is allowed to speak up and share ideas.Some people consider luxury to be crown moldings or marble on marble or other extravagant trappings, but there is more of a shift over to focusing on the quality of the luxury you are receiving rather than the quantity of it.Scott’s biggest advice to his younger self is to take risks and don’t be afraid to try something new. If you are waiting for that perfect time it might never come and life will pass you by, so jump in and take a chance.  Quote of the Show:2:22 “I think hospitality is going to a place and experiencing the place.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-a-lee/Website: https://sb-architects.com/Shout Outs: 0:51 David Kennedy3:31 Hill Glazier Architects6:45 Rivana at Innovation Station7:00 Michael Hsu16:05 Don Sandy16:12 Sandy Babcock16:17 Ritz-Carlton25:59 Farmhouse Inn Ways to Tune In: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPXApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1sAmazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419Podbean: https://www.defininghospitality.live/YouTube : https://youtu.be/WDYRN7OF03o