The Hospitality Mentor Hospitality.FM

Episode Overview:
In this special crossover episode, Steve Turk, founder of The Hospitality Mentor, joins David Arraya on the Conscious Hospitality Podcast. Steve shares his journey from his early days as a cabana boy to becoming a renowned leader in the hospitality industry. With stories from iconic hotels like Lowe’s, Mandarin Oriental, and Trump Doral, Steve provides valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and finding passion in your work.
Key Highlights:
Introduction: Steve and David discuss their long-standing friendship and the excitement of this crossover episode.Starting with Gratitude: David emphasizes the importance of gratitude and asks Steve what he is grateful for today.Early Life and Career Beginnings: Steve talks about his childhood in Miami, his diverse cultural background, and his early competitive nature.Discovering Hospitality: Steve shares how his father’s career as an attorney for major hotels influenced his interest in hospitality.Career Milestones: From his first job at Lowe’s Miami Beach Hotel to executive positions at renowned hotels like Mandarin Oriental and Delano.Challenges and Resilience: Steve recounts pivotal moments, including overcoming difficult leadership challenges and learning from setbacks.The Entrepreneurial Leap: The story behind Steve’s successful staffing company, the decision to sell it, and lessons learned about passion versus opportunity.Returning to Hospitality: Steve’s return to the hotel industry, his renewed passion for team-building, and his innovative approaches to leadership.Pandemic Reflections: How the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped Steve’s perspective on work-life balance and led to new entrepreneurial ventures.The Hospitality Mentor: Steve discusses the creation of The Hospitality Mentor, his goals for inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals, and his thoughts on the future of the industry.
Takeaways for Listeners:
Importance of Gratitude: Starting each day with gratitude can ground you and provide clarity in challenging times.Leadership Lessons: Effective leadership involves understanding and motivating diverse teams, and the power of regular one-on-one meetings.Entrepreneurial Insights: The balance between passion and opportunity, and the importance of staying true to your values.Resilience and Adaptability: How to navigate career challenges and make strategic decisions that align with your long-term goals.Work-Life Balance: The significance of balancing professional ambition with personal life, especially in times of crisis.
Quotes from the Episode:
“When you’re grateful for things, you realize we have so much more than so many other people around the world.” – Steve Turk“Don’t be afraid to taste different things. If you want to move up, you’ve got to try different places.” – Steve Turk“This industry is one of the few where you can really start at the bottom and end up at the top, no matter what your education level is.” – Steve Turk
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Chatting with Hotel Innovator Ryan Rivett. Dive into the exciting world of hotel life with Ryan Rivett, the brain behind MyPlace Hotels. We're talking about how he started a unique hotel brand, his adventures in the business, and what it takes to stand out in the busy world of hospitality.
Ryan opens up about his grandad's legacy with Super 8 Motels and how MyPlace Hotels is changing the game in staying overnight. Join us for a journey through the ins and outs of creating a place that feels like ‘My Place’ every time you visit.
Listen in for a behind-the-scenes look at the hotel business, straight from a pro.

Join Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast for an exclusive interview with Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel and Resort Collection. In this episode, Jennifer shares the story of her rise through the ranks in the hospitality industry and the insights she's gained along the way. From her early beginnings in upstate New York to orchestrating the strategic direction of Curator, discover the lessons Jennifer has learned in leadership, innovation, and the art of nurturing independent boutique hotels. This conversation not only traces the trajectory of a remarkable career but also dives into the future of hospitality and the significance of independent hotels in today's market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your hospitality career, this episode is packed with wisdom, experience, and encouragement to inspire your journey.
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 Today, you will learn the fantastic story of Ashish Verma’s career in hospitality. Ashish is the Senior Vice President of the Luxury Division for the Unbound Collection at Hyatt Hotels. He shares his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry, starting as a management trainee for Oberoi Hotels in India after a back injury altered his initial dreams of becoming a professional tennis player. Ashish's path in hospitality took him from India to various global destinations, including Paris and New York, working with renowned hotel brands such as Oberoi, Hyatt, and Dream Hotel Group. Throughout his career, Ashish has learned the importance of passion, commitment, and continuous improvement in achieving excellence. His story highlights significant moments, such as being promoted to general manager during Hurricane Katrina at the Windsor Court Hotel and spearheading the successful rebranding and positioning of the Chatwal New York.
Connect with Ashish on LinkedIn
Don’t forget to check out Good Morning Hospitality - Steve and Sarah’s live show every Wednesday morning!
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
RealTime Reservation Offer
This episode is brought to you by our podcast partners at RealTime Reservation. Their inventory management system is best in class for hotels and resorts to manage their non-room inventory.
The web-based application allows for creative upselling of overnight and daytime visitors with add-ons and pre-planned packages. Hotel guests and non-guests can reserve cabanas, pool chairs, activities, amenities, excursions, events, day passes, and much more.
To learn more check them out here!
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Radi Garov, the General Manager at Soho Beach House in Miami, joins Steve in this episode to talk about his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Starting as a banquet server after moving from Bulgaria to the U.S., Radi climbed the ladder through hard work, learning, and mentorship. He shares his experiences working in various positions and hotels, from his first job at C Trail Golf Resort to leading roles at FAENA and eventually Soho House. Radi talks about the unique challenges and learning opportunities at each step, including moving into luxury hospitality, mastering service standards, opening new restaurants, and adapting to the private membership model at Soho House. 
Don’t forget to check out Good Morning Hospitality - Steve and Sarah’s live show every Wednesday morning!
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
RealTime Reservation Offer
This episode is brought to you by our podcast partners at RealTime Reservation. Their inventory management system is best in class for hotels and resorts to manage their non-room inventory.
The web-based application allows for creative upselling of overnight and daytime visitors with add-ons and pre-planned packages. Hotel guests and non-guests can reserve cabanas, pool chairs, activities, amenities, excursions, events, day passes, and much more.
To learn more check them out here!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to another office hours session! Before Steve dives into the Q&A, he shares his experiences from the ongoing challenge of visiting 50 hotels in 50 days, focusing on finding unique, accessible amenities in hotels. 
Steve then answers questions from listeners, addressing subjects like using technology to improve customer experiences, managing high guest turnover in vacation rentals, staff training for maintaining service standards, and the effectiveness of loyalty programs. He gives advice on creating innovative strategies for hotels to partner with local businesses, the financial benefits of sustainable energy, and the potential of social media for boosting visibility and bookings in the hospitality sector. 
Don’t forget to check out Good Morning Hospitality - Steve and Sarah’s live show every Wednesday morning!
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
RealTime Reservation Offer
This episode is brought to you by our podcast partners at RealTime Reservation. Their inventory management system is best in class for hotels and resorts to manage their non-room inventory.
The web-based application allows for creative upselling of overnight and daytime visitors with add-ons and pre-planned packages. Hotel guests and non-guests can reserve cabanas, pool chairs, activities, amenities, excursions, events, day passes, and much more.
To learn more check them out here!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices