Defining Hospitality

“At that point in my career, I had never designed anything on my own. It had always been through a studio, for studio clients, and no one had ever asked me to design anything on my own, but I have some pretty wild ideas about what I think the world should look like.” - Vanessa Watts In this episode, Dan sits down to talk with a fiery design duo who have overcome new business challenges and thrived in the interior design industry. They are the co-founders and current partners of Watts & Dray: Vanessa Watts and Erika Dray. The two provide insights into their journey from creative director and fashion designer into partners who built a company from scratch. Take a listen and hear their story, as well as some valuable insights! 🏨 Don't wait for the perfect moment or perfect plan to start. Begin your entrepreneurial journey with the understanding that learning and adjustments are part of the process. 🏨 Allow room for wild and innovative ideas, and don’t be afraid to pursue unconventional projects. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #entrepreneur #podcasting

“I think in all of our careers, it was, growth, revenue, profit, whatever other KPIs you could think of that are these metrics of what makes a business successful. But I think we all came to this really cool realization that it's also about relationships.” This week, Dan Ryan sits down to discuss his experience at the INDIEConFab, which he attended just earlier this week to emcee. He recaps on the two days he spent there and provides insights on what he thought about it (spoiler: he loved it) and summarizes the different segments he got the opportunity to emcee for! 🏨 Authenticity in development (not "faking the funk") leads to better financial performance and genuine neighborhood integration. 🏨 Beyond traditional metrics like growth and revenue, success includes the quality of relationships built, the impact made on others, and the experiences created. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #INDIEConFab2024 #podcasting

Unlock the Secrets of Hospitality Success with the Friday Five! 🏨✨ Hey Hospitality Heroes, I’m excited to share this week’s edition of the “Friday Five”! This newsletter contains insights, inspiration, and strategies to help you excel in the hospitality industry. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find: 1. This Week’s Feature: Dive into my conversation with Ashli Johnson, M.S., CHT, CGSP, founder of Hospitality Hued, as she shares her mission to accelerate the ascension of Black & Brown hospitality leaders. Discover why “your fortune is your follow-up” and how relationships can transform your career. Episode 162 2. Memory Lane: Reflect on the importance of community and connection in the hospitality industry with Andrew Benioff, founder of the Independent Lodging Congress. Revisit episode 14 3. A Dash of Inspiration: Learn about the incredible book “Made In Ibiza,” showcasing the unique blend of native and international creativity on this vibrant island. It’s a testament to the artistic spirit of Ibiza. Discover more 4. Journey Shorteners: Gain valuable insights from Keith Ferrazzi's “Never Eat Alone,” a must-read that highlights the power of building genuine relationships. 5. Upcoming Events: Stay updated on the latest hospitality events where we can connect in person. If you’re passionate about hospitality and eager to learn from the best in the industry, don’t miss out on these insights! Subscribe to the “Friday Five” for your weekly dose of inspiration and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. https://lnkd.in/gpgxEnWX

“Your fortune is found in the follow up.” Our guest on this week’s episode of Defining Hospitality is a leader who is committed to elevating communities and creating wealth through hospitality ownership and leadership. Please welcome to the show, Founder of Hospitality Hued, Ashli Johnson, M.S., CHT, CGSP. Ashli joins Host Dan Ryan to dive into some of the challenges Black and Brown leaders face in the industry, and how those challenges can be addressed. Ashli shares her motivations for founding Hospitality Hued, the importance of early professional development, and how to instill a sense of ownership in employees. 🏨 While hospitality is ultimately a business of service, it is rapidly evolving to better address DEI issues across employment, supplier diversity, and leadership. To remain impactful, those in the industry must actively engage in these conversations. 🏨 Conferences and networking are a crucial part of success in the hospitality industry, yet many Black and Brown leaders find themselves “under conferenced”. To combat this, Hued was created to lower barriers to these opportunities for Black and Brown leaders. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #diversity #podcasting

“We are really open to understand what the owner and the owner's team wants to do in a project.” Joining Defining Hospitality this week is a hospitality professional who creates distinct projects that make emotional connections with guests. Our guest is none other than Senior Director of Design & Construction Services at Kempinski Hotels, Vibha Sawhney! Vibha sits down with Host Dan Ryan to discuss the importance of collaborative empathy and attention to detail. Vibha shares the challenges of building a brand across multiple markets, the importance of understanding your materials, and how to achieve client satisfaction. 🏨 To gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of materials, immerse yourself in working alongside skilled tradespeople like carpenters and metal workers. Understanding how they work allows you to better utilize a material in planning. 🏨 The key to success is selecting the right partners who will give proper attention to your projects and act with empathy toward the end-users. It is essential to work collaboratively to achieve the best results and support the owner's vision. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #architecture #hotels #podcast

“We're not here to make a profit for ourselves or get dividends. The profit is meant to sustain the business so that anyone who visits can keep coming here to enjoy what we have to offer.” Our guest this week is an environmentally conscious individual who loves to give his guests the best experience possible.  Please welcome to the show, the President at Mohonk Mountain House, Eric Gullickson!  Eric sits down with Host Dan Ryan to discuss the complexities of running a multigenerational family business, from infrastructure maintenance to crafting unique guest experiences. He also explores maintaining tradition while adapting to modern demands, emphasizing how core values drive the resort's enduring success. 🏨 A strong mission and principles are crucial for long-term success. Mohonk's mission is built on Quaker values like consensus-building, caring for people, and maintaining peace and serenity. These principles have guided the business for five generations and help to make clear, principled decisions for future sustainability. 🏨 Effective resource management and reinvestment are critical. It is important to balance the preservation of current resources with careful planning for future growth. This strategy ensures that the property continues to thrive and grow in a sustainable manner. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #design #hospitality #podcast

“I wanted people to learn through spaces.” Our guest this week is a creative thinker with a unique understanding of the spaces she designs. Joining the show this week is none other than Vice President of Design at Aspen Hospitality, Julie Frank! Julie joins Host Dan Ryan to explore everything from designing iconic spaces to making bold career pivots. Julie shares the transformative power of design, her global experiences, and what makes hospitality truly magical.  🏨 Attending industry events and building relationships is crucial once you're on the ownership side or involved with a brand or development. Having contacts you can rely on to address issues as they arise is paramount.  🏨 It’s important to respect the historical significance of spaces when incorporating modern brand experiences. By blending homage to the past with the unique elements of the modern brand, one can create a harmonious and impactful fusion. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #design #hospitality #podcast

“When your target guests and target audience are telling you, ‘Hey, there's other ways that you could appeal to me.’ It's important that we listen to that and that we evolve with them.” Our guest this week is a creative director with a superpower for storytelling. Please welcome to the show, A Director of Design Strategies at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Kristen Freeland! Kristen sits down with Host Dan Ryan to explore what goes into building a brand story. Kristen also explores how brands can best evolve to meet customer needs, harnessing real-time data for continuous improvement, and the invaluable impact of mentorship.  🏨 To effectively cater to your audience, first understand their needs by gathering insights, and then develop and test solutions. Ensure your projects are guided by clear, focused briefs that align with your success metrics to avoid losing direction.  🏨 To better understand customer preferences, engage directly with your target audience to gather valuable insights. Real-life dialogue and firsthand observation are crucial in confirming whether your strategy and design efforts meet customer needs. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #design #hospitality #podcast

“As we go along we don't know where we're going and we love that.” Joining the show this week is an architect with a reputation for mold-breaking designs that create a better urban future. Our guest is none other than Founder, Owner & Design Director of ODA, Eran Chen. Eran joins Host Dan Ryan in person at the ODA offices in Tribeca to discuss the importance of challenging the status quo. Eran also shares his love of thresholds, the value of aligning with clients, and the inspiration for his recent book “ODA: Office of Design and Architecture”.  🏨 When running a firm and taking on new clients, it's crucial to ensure mutual respect and collaboration, seeing clients as partners in the creative process. Decline projects where clients do not value this process of discovery, even if they offer the biggest commissions.  🏨 Embrace the journey of unknowns in your professional pursuits, as it can lead to amazing and impactful work. Stay true to your core beliefs and principles despite challenges and assignments, as they refine and strengthen your practice. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #architecture #design #podcast

“I never let somebody second guess what I thought was the right thing to do.” Our guest this week is a titan of the hospitality industry who is helping pave the way for the next generation of innovative thinkers. Please welcome to the show, Founder of the Radical Innovation hospitality awards, Founder and Chairman of the The Hardy Group, and Founder of Hardy Ventures John Hardy! John joins Host Dan Ryan to discuss the importance of creativity and innovation in hospitality. John also dives into his early career, the impact of radical innovation, and the future of hospitality.  🏨 Hospitality is about how you treat guests whether they are in your house or hotel. It is about making them feel comfortable, providing for their needs, and surprising them with extras.  🏨 Innovation in the hotel industry often comes from outsiders rather than industry insiders, encouraging radical thinking. Creativity thrives when intuition guides decision-making, paving the way for unconventional ideas to flourish. Listen to the full episode with the links in the comments! #hospitality #innovation #podcast