
Hospitality Daily Podcast
Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.
Latest episodes

Jul 16, 2024 • 13min
Abundance Mindset Mentorship - Nikheel Advani, Grace Bay Resorts
In this episode, Nikheel Advani, co-founder, chief operating officer, and principal at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, shares his journey and insights on the power of leadership and mentorship in the hospitality industry.The importance of mentorship in career growth (01:14) - Nikheel discusses how mentorship has been a common theme throughout his career, starting with his father and continuing with various leaders at the Ritz-Carlton.Key advice from mentors (03:18) - Nikheel shares a pivotal piece of advice from a mentor about choosing long-term growth over immediate financial gain.Impact of international and cross-cultural experiences (04:49) - Nikheel explains how working in different countries and cultures has shaped his leadership style and approach to hospitality.Mentorship in action: Developing future leaders (06:38) - Nikheel talks about how he mentors others, including examples of former colleagues who have become successful general managers and entrepreneurs.The abundance mentality in leadership (09:10) - Nikheel emphasizes the importance of celebrating employees' growth, even if it means they leave the company, and maintaining a positive, abundance-focused mindset. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 15, 2024 • 25min
How to Unlock Potential Through Leadership in Hospitality - Dr. Matthew Ohlson, University of North Florida
In this episode, Dr. Matthew Olson, professor at the University of North Florida and director of the Taylor Leadership Institute, shares insights on what it takes to excel in leadership and how to empower others effectively.Introduction to Dr. Matt Olson and his role (01:42) - Learn about Dr. Olson's background and his work at the University of North Florida.Defining Leadership and Its Importance (02:26) - Understand Dr. Olson's perspective on leadership as influence rather than a position or title.Empowering Leadership in Organizations (03:28) - Discover why empowering leadership within teams is crucial for organizational success and personal fulfillment.The Impact of Leadership on Employee Engagement (04:46) - Hear about the transformation leaders experience when they focus on celebrating their team's strengths.Developing Leadership Skills through Real-World Experience (06:16) - Learn about the Leadership Excellence Apprentice Program and how it integrates real-world experiences with academic learning.The Role of Shadowing in Leadership Development (14:44) - Get insights into the benefits of shadowing executives and how it enhances leadership skills.Key Takeaways on Teaching and Empowering Future Leaders (17:05) - Dr. Olson shares his top takeaways on teaching, training, and empowering the next generation of leaders.The Importance of Service and Continuous Learning (17:32) - Understand the significance of serving others and the necessity of continuous learning in effective leadership.How to Learn More About Dr. Olson's Work (20:44) - Find out where to go to learn more about Dr. Olson and his leadership programs.Also: Listen to Lessons in Leading a Culture of Excellence with Greg Cook, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 14, 2024 • 49min
How We Provide Fully Integrated, Transformational Experiences - Tony Greenberg, SingleThread
In this episode, Tony Greenberg, co-owner of SingleThread, shares insights into the strategy and unique approach that has helped SingleThread become one of the top hospitality businesses in the world.Tony's perspective on the evolving hospitality economy (01:40) - Learn about the shift from material goods to transformational experiences, and the integration of restaurants and hotels in the hospitality industry.The role of the inn in SingleThread's business model (05:25) - Discover how the inn complements the farm and restaurant, and hear about the unique experiences offered to guests staying at the inn.The importance of team and culture at SingleThread (20:02) - Explore how SingleThread attracts and retains talented individuals, and understand the significance of humility and compassion in their team dynamics.Tony's journey and partnership with Kyle and Katina (12:30) - Learn about Tony's background and how he met Kyle and Katina, and hear about the development and growth of SingleThread over the years.Feedback and continuous improvement (40:31) - Discover how SingleThread collects and utilizes guest feedback and understand the importance of internal feedback and constructive criticism.Future plans and developments for SingleThread (43:14) - Get a sneak peek into upcoming projects and expansions and learn about the vision for creating a cohesive multi-stay experience in Healdsburg.This is part of our series on SingleThread. Listen to episode 1 here, episode 2 here, and episode 3 here. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 14, 2024 • 8min
Cultivating Heartfelt Hospitality - Nathan Woods
In this episode, Nathan Woods shares his insights on cultivating a heart of hospitality and how it can transform both personal and professional interactions.The concept of providing hospitality with both home and heart The importance of seeing everyone as beloved and deeply lovedHow gratitude and recognition of others' needs can open up opportunities for hospitality The intrinsic value of people and its impact on creating beautiful hospitality experiences Listen to our other episode with Nathan: From Track and Field to Treehouses: Lessons for Hospitality From Building Businesses In Other Industries A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 13, 2024 • 23min
How Stories Unlock Success in Hospitality - Scott Roby, Storyteller Hospitality
In this episode, Scott Roby, founder of Storyteller Hospitality, shares his journey that led him to create a consultancy focused on story-based business strategies and how you can unlock success in your career and business through stories.Founding Storyteller Hospitality (03:36) - Understand the inspiration behind Storyteller Hospitality and how Scott launched the consultancy.The Power of Storytelling (05:28) - Explore how storytelling can build culture, attract talent, and drive business performance.Personal Storytelling for Career Growth (09:45) - Get tips on assessing your strengths and weaknesses and aligning your personal story with your career goals.Organizational Storytelling and Culture (12:09) - Learn about the importance of creating a high-performance culture that attracts and retains top talent.Tactical Implementation of Storytelling (18:02) - Hear about the practical aspects of integrating storytelling into business strategy and operations. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 12, 2024 • 11min
How Our Former Summer Camp Become One of The Best 100 Hotels in the World - Lisa Karvellas, Cedar Lakes Estate
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares insights on how her business has achieved recognition as one of the Travel & Leisure Best 100 Hotels in the World and the unique ways her team creates memorable experiences for guests.Attentive Service: Discover the importance of personalized service and how small, thoughtful gestures by staff can leave lasting impressions on guests.Maintaining Energy and Inspiration: Understand how Lisa and her team stay inspired and energized, especially when managing high-stakes events like weddings.Effective Communication: Hear about the role of communication in fostering a strong team culture, including the structure and benefits of their weekly company-wide meetings.If you liked this, you may enjoy our other episodes with Lisa:How We Created "Summer Camp" for Spotify, Unforgettable Weddings & MoreSecrets to a 4% Employee Turnover Rate: Here's How We Earned Inc. 500 Best Places to Work Recognition A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 11, 2024 • 13min
Secrets to a 4% Employee Turnover Rate: Here's How We Earned Inc. 500 Best Places to Work Recognition - Lisa Karvellas, Cedar Lakes Estate
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares insights on how she and her sister transformed a former summer camp into a high-end retreat and built a remarkable workplace culture that earned them a spot on the Inc. 500 Best Places to Work list.Approach to hiring and staffing (01:51) - Lisa explains their unique hiring strategies, including the benefits of hiring locally and the importance of giving employees multiple chances to succeed.Interview process and key questions (04:11) - Discover the fun and insightful questions they ask during interviews to determine if a candidate is a good fit for their culture.Creating a culture of fun and excellence (05:38) - Lisa shares practical ways they foster a fun yet high-performing work environment, including allowing staff to be themselves and encouraging creative programming ideas.Community engagement and employee pride (08:25) - Understand how Cedar Lakes Estate engages with the local community and instills a sense of pride in its employees, making it a magnetic place to work.Intensive training programs (09:38) - Learn about their rigorous training programs, including the two-day "Camp Cedar," which ensures all employees meet their high standards of service and excellence. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 10, 2024 • 18min
How We Created "Summer Camp" for Spotify, Unforgettable Weddings & More - Lisa Karvellas, Cedar Lakes Estate
In this episode, Lisa Karvellas, co-owner of Cedar Lakes Estate, shares how she and her sister transformed a 1920s summer camp into a world-class destination for weddings, retreats, and boutique hospitality.Adapting to New Uses: Learn how Lisa and her sister adapted Cedar Lakes Estate to function both as an event venue and a boutique hotel. The Importance of Guest Feedback: Discover the role of guest feedback in shaping strategy and accelerating growth. Creating Exclusive, Immersive Event Experiences: Get tips on what it takes to provide these experiences. Maintaining an Engaging Workplace: Understand how Lisa maintains a fun and engaging workplace for her staff. Winter Operations: Hear why Cedar Lakes Estate stays open during the off-season and how it benefits their staff and operations. Event Hosting Philosophy: Explore why Lisa and her team focus on events and their unique approach to hosting weddings and retreats. Slow and Steady Growth: Learn the importance of slowly growing a hospitality business and listening to client feedback. Post-COVID Changes: Find out how the event world has changed post-COVID and how Cedar Lakes Estate has adapted.Creating a Fun Environment: Learn about the importance of fun as a core value at Cedar Lakes Estate and how it contributes to their success. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 9, 2024 • 20min
The Keys to Guest Experience and Technology in Luxury Hospitality - Dino Michael, Hilton
In this episode, Dino Michael, Hilton's Global Category Head of Luxury Brands, shares insights into how Hilton balances technology and human interaction to elevate the guest experience.Listen now to learn about: How Hilton collects and uses guest preferences to personalize stays.Strategies for achieving excellence at scale across multiple luxury brands.The importance of taking team members on a journey to ensure they feel connected and empowered in their roles.The importance of reading guest cues to provide a seamless experience.The role of emotional cues, sensory elements, and behavior of team members in amplifying the guest experience.Hilton’s approach to innovation, including technology such as digital keys.The parallels between luxury hospitality and other luxury verticals, and how these insights can be applied across the industry. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Jul 8, 2024 • 19min
More Than A "Stepping Stone": How My Journey To Leading Hilton's Luxury Brands Showed Me Hospitality is the Ultimate Career Choice - Dino Michael, Hilton
In this episode, Dino Michael, Global Category Head of Luxury Brands at Hilton, shares his inspiring journey from being a server at Planet Hollywood to leading iconic luxury brands at Hilton such as Listen now to learn about:The importance of communicating the benefits of a career in hospitalityDino's early life and family influences that shaped his career (02:09)How working at Planet Hollywood instilled a love for the restaurant business (03:43)The diverse career opportunities within the hospitality industry (06:07)Advice for those starting their careers in hospitality (08:05)Insights on leadership and accessibility from Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta (09:20)The significance of culture and family within Hilton (11:37)Dino's personal journey and its potential to inspire others (14:22) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands