100 episodes

Top Floor is a weekly podcast with tangible tips and excellent stories from the experts and characters who elevate hospitality. Host and elevator operator Susan Barry explores the idea that everything is marketing in the hotel business.

Our interviews with creators, thought leaders and hospitality groundbreakers are designed to provide practical tactics that hoteliers, restaurateurs and travel mavens can use to promote their businesses. Along the way, we answer burning marketing questions submitted on the Emergency Call Button and share the funniest, craziest, just-plain-weirdest stories down at the Loading Dock.

Need to press the Emergency Call Button? Or have a story to share at the Loading Dock? Reach us at 850.404.9630 to be featured in a future episode.

Top Floor Susan Barry

    • Business

Top Floor is a weekly podcast with tangible tips and excellent stories from the experts and characters who elevate hospitality. Host and elevator operator Susan Barry explores the idea that everything is marketing in the hotel business.

Our interviews with creators, thought leaders and hospitality groundbreakers are designed to provide practical tactics that hoteliers, restaurateurs and travel mavens can use to promote their businesses. Along the way, we answer burning marketing questions submitted on the Emergency Call Button and share the funniest, craziest, just-plain-weirdest stories down at the Loading Dock.

Need to press the Emergency Call Button? Or have a story to share at the Loading Dock? Reach us at 850.404.9630 to be featured in a future episode.

    Book in the Cloud

    Book in the Cloud

    Cory Mortensen is a travel writer and explorer who has published three books, the most recent called Embracing Bewilderment. Cory spent two years traveling around the world and having adventures, from eating stew in a farmer's backyard to being held at gunpoint by an authoritarian military regime. Susan and Cory talk about how photography is sometimes rude and how traveling can calm your fears.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    How ancient aliens maybe did stuff When to pitch a tent in a new country Where you don't lose your common sense Why travel friendships can be like therapy What kind of tickets to always book in advance Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 33 min
    Toilet Paper Mountain

    Toilet Paper Mountain

    Ludovic Siouffi is founder and CEO of Fox Fold, a company that makes toilet paper and facial tissue dispensers that lower costs and reduce waste. After many years in finance, Ludo joined forces with three co-founders to reinvent toilet paper. Susan and Ludo talk about creating a supply chain, leaning on a co-founder, and discovering a secret on the loading dock.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    When to contact your investors What is hard about folding tissue Why Ludo feels sorry for solo-preneurs How to keep your ideas safe from imitators Where to look for thrown-away toilet paper rolls Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 32 min
    Chris Green Spills All

    Chris Green Spills All

    Chris Green is the author of The River Guide to Leadership and former President of Remington Hospitality. In his exit interview on Top Floor, he spills the beans about the hotel business, including dishing hte dirt on several hotel company CEOs. Susan and Chris talk about leadership, problem-solving, and lavender fields.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    How to write a book Who is the best hotel company CEO What to share in your exit interview When great financial returns are an art Why being direct is the kindest thing you can do Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 36 min
    Silverware Secret Message

    Silverware Secret Message

    Rebecca Dean has had concurrent career paths in healthcare and hospitality, which positioned her perfectly to found Healthpitality. A virtual medical practice, Healthpitality exists to serve hospitality employees, especially restaurant workers, who traditionally struggle to access healthcare. Susan and Rebecca talk about rifles, co-pays, and the future of insurance.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    When to protest sidework Why you need an annual checkup How to keep staff members happy Who benefits from high-cost healthcare What legal restrictions govern medical practices Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 22 min
    Gay Wine Weekend

    Gay Wine Weekend

    Gary Saperstein is a 30 year restaurant veteran and founder of Out in the Vineyard, a travel and event company that brings the LGBTQ+ and winemaker communities together in Califonia's Wine Country. For more than 16 years, Gary has put on Gay Wine Weekend, a three-day extravaganza that builds community and raises money for charities like Face to Face. Susan and Gary talk about how the gay community was made visible, starting with a twilight T-Dance.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    How to entertain non-drinkers in Sonoma Valley Why T-Dances hold a place of importance in gay history Who hotels need to be marketing to, especially for weddings Where to sneak away for a romantic rendezvous at a winery When to go to Gay Wine Weekend (spoiler: it's July 19-21, 2024!) Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 31 min
    Sleepless in Vancouver

    Sleepless in Vancouver

    Oliver Winter is founder and CEO of A&O Hostels, the largest privately-owned chain of hostels in Europe, with 40 properties in 25 cities. After a brush with "travel shame" during the pandemic, Oliver began to understand the threat that the climate crisis poses to the future of travel demand. As a result, he resolved to make A&O carbon neutral by 2025. Susan and Oliver talk about the carbon footprint of the lodging business.
    What you'll learn about in this episode:
    How marmalade impacts carbon footprint When the best time to start a business is What mistakes to avoid in opening a hostel Why the fall of the Berlin wall gave Oliver confidence Who to ask for the best ideas to transform your business Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts 
    "I love Top Floor!" If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps other people like us find the show and makes our guests feel good about being on it. 
    Tap to give us five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Be sure to let me know what you liked most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast or restart automatic downloads. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss out.

    • 34 min

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