Defining Hospitality

“So much of being successful and being able to grow and learn and evolve is surrounding yourself with people who are in a similar position.” This week, Dan Ryan interviews Sonja Haviland and Haley Mistler, Co-Founders and Principals of Superette. The duo shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of creative networks, and the significance of trust and communication in their partnership. 🏨 Starting small can be advantageous. Focus on your strengths and expertise before scaling. 🏨 Engage in spaces where you can have unexpected collisions with other professionals, such as creative hubs or co-working spaces. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting

“There is this common shared sensibility and that sharing goes a long way in hospitality when you share it with the world.” This week, Dan Ryan interviews Scott Williams, Chief Development and Brand Officer at Main Street Hospitality. He discusses his journey from ballet to media to pivotal roles in hospitality companies and emphasizes creating memorable experiences. 🏨 Prioritize experiential elements in your offerings. Think beyond the product or service and focus on creating an immersive and engaging experience. 🏨 Develop spaces that continuously engage and interest clients. Invest in unique and unexpected elements that align with your brand's identity. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting 

“I have lots of early childhood memories that tie into hospitality and I just love that it comes with me through my day-to-day, through my work, and through everything I do.” This week, Dan Ryan interviews Marion Emmanuelle Bullôt, the Managing Partner of AvroKO Hospitality Group. She discusses her career, experience with working for Gordon Ramsay, her early days in France, and AvroKo’s global projects. 🏨 When expanding or starting new ventures in different regions, understanding the local context and customer needs is crucial. 🏨 Building trust with clients through transparent communication and demonstrating expertise can help in securing buy-in for ambitious projects. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting

“Every hotel provides an experience for our guests and the ability to not only tell a story through design but tell a story that has a purpose and intention with respect to addressing the challenges that we all face with climate change.” Today’s episode provides listeners access to a session from Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative, brought on by MindClick, that Dan Ryan recently got to speak during. The webinar emphasizes the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry. Collaborating with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Highgate Hotels, the initiative aims to educate industry professionals on climate health, equity, and carbon footprint reduction. 🏨Break down complex sustainability information into manageable insights for your team. Use simplified frameworks and tools to make sustainability a more approachable and executable component of your operations. 🏨Establish clear metrics to measure the impact of your sustainability programs. Track engagement and success rates from educational initiatives and incorporate these learnings into your strategic planning. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #sustainability #podcasting

It’s amazing how reconnecting with old friends can lead to new and unexpected opportunities.” This week’s episode of Defining Hospitality is a special one. It all began in Ibiza this past summer when I reached out to old friends and colleagues, Jan and Sonja van der Hagen who’s daughter, Olivia Nathalie Johanna van der Hagen, is a rising star in the hospitality design industry, to have lunch. This ultimately led me to today’s incredible guest: the talented Natalia Miyar, Founder of Natalia Miyar Atelier. Like Keith Ferrazzi famously wrote, “never eat alone”. Natalia’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From studying art history to leading her own design studio that blends high-end residential and hospitality projects across the globe, her story is a testament to the power of embracing creativity, flexibility, and the unknown. Some of the insights from our conversation that resonated with me: 🔹 Finding the right people: As an entrepreneur, building a team that shares your vision and passion is key. Natalia shared how this journey is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of her career. 🔹 Balancing creativity with practicality: Natalia emphasized the importance of merging artistic vision with functional design to ensure that spaces are both beautiful and livable. 🔹 Embracing unexpected opportunities: You never know where a conversation or a connection might lead. Natalia’s willingness to seize new opportunities, both personally and professionally, is what has taken her to new heights in her career. This episode is not only about design but also about the value of relationships, mentorship, and staying open to life’s twists and turns. Take a listen to hear more of Natalia’s incredible story and our conversation on Defining Hospitality. P.S. - Don’t hesitate to reach out to those old friends and colleagues. You never know where it might take you! #Hospitality #Design #Entrepreneurship #Relationships #Podcasting #Joy

“Eventually you grow and you understand that having an understanding of these spaces will help you also design them in a certain way.” This week, Dan Ryan interviews Alessia Genova, Principal at Tihany Design. She dives into her career journey, starting as an intern at Tihany, and discusses her passion for hospitality. 🏨 Building strong, lasting relationships within your industry—whether with clients, colleagues, or vendors—can be a foundation for long-term success. 🏨 For firms with a rich legacy, it’s essential to balance the respect for past accomplishments with the drive to innovate and explore new paths. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting

“I think any entrepreneur will tell you the hardest thing is finding the right people to go on that journey with you.” Today, host Dan Ryan speaks with Natalia Miyar, an experienced architect and designer with a global footprint and the Founder of Natalia Miyar Atelier. Natalia shares her journey from studying art history to establishing a successful design studio focusing on both high-end residential and hospitality projects. They discuss her design philosophy, the importance of making spaces comfortable and unique, and her transition into the hospitality sector, which includes projects in London and Mexico. Natalia also elaborates on her commitment to mentoring young talent and her aspirations for creating a lifestyle brand in the future. The conversation highlights the blend of practicality and creativity that is essential in design, and the significance of being open to new experiences and opportunities. 🏨It's vital to merge creative vision with practical execution. Understanding the balance between artistic freedom and the responsibilities of design ensures projects are both beautiful and functional. 🏨Be open to unexpected paths and seize opportunities that may not have been part of the initial plan. This flexibility can lead to exciting new ventures and growth. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting

“The hospitality, it’s in our blood I think.” Dan Ryan sits down in person with Foreman A Rogers III , Principal at BLUR Workshop, to discuss his career in hospitality design and the firm's recent milestone of celebrating their 10th anniversary! Foreman shares insights on the founding of Blur Workshop and the significance of blurring the lines between architecture and interiors. Join us as we explore Foreman's reflections on the last decade, his excitement for the future, and the values that drive Blur Workshop's unique approach to design. 🏨Create a workplace culture that aligns with a larger mission, such as caring for people or creating meaningful experiences. This can elevate the sense of purpose and motivation among employees. 🏨Cultivate a humble work environment where egos are checked at the door. Ensure that the focus remains on collective success rather than individual accolades. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting

“I love to be underestimated. It’s my favorite thing.” In this episode, Dan Ryan interviews Amy Michaelson Kelly, a former litigator turned hotel developer and Principal of Hatteras Sky. Amy shares her path from practicing law to creating unique hospitality experiences in Asheville, North Carolina. She’s developed the Radical and Zelda Dearest hotels, both providing unique hotel experiences. Amy discusses the importance of community involvement, storytelling in hotel branding, and balancing compliance with creativity. 🏨 Storytelling can differentiate a business and create unique connections with clients, especially in the hospitality industry, where narratives can enhance the guest experience significantly. 🏨 True hospitality goes beyond mere accommodation; it involves making people feel truly welcome and cared for, often through personal touches and attention to detail. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #design #podcasting 

“It’s how you behave in the trenches that kind of makes you who you are. Things are going to go sideways, shit happens. It’s how you fix it that counts.” Dan finally gets to sit down and talk with Malcolm Berg, who is not only a designer, but an entrepreneur who founded Edge of Architecture. He is all about pushing the boundaries and innovating to the next degree. Malcolm provides his insights on hospitality and how important it is to bring empathy and human connection to the forefront of design and architecture. Listen along to hear Malcolm and Dan’s conversation! 🏨Cultivate empathy within your team and client relationships. Understanding and responding to people's needs and emotions is crucial for creating meaningful work and strong bonds. 🏨 Work with stakeholders, including clients and team members, who share similar values and vision. Avoid relationships that are purely transactional or financially driven. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #empathy #podcasting