Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street Phil Street

What happens when you merge tech, hospitality and proprietary AI? The answer may well be the future of hospitality in the form of short stay power brand Bob W, headed up by todays guest, the awesome Niko Karstikko.
Niko and Phil dive deep into the world of innovation in the hospitality industry, featuring an engaging conversation around the continued development of Bob W, a revolutionary hybrid accommodation brand. In this episode, you'll hear all about Niko's journey from an Air BnB Super host to a tech entrepreneur, and how he's leveraging technology to reshape the guest experience, from automated check-ins to bespoke local experiences. We'll discuss the challenges of breaking away from traditional methods, the importance of customer-centric solutions, and the exciting future ahead for the hospitality sector.
Whether you're curious about the latest tech trends in travel or looking for entrepreneurial insights, this episode has something for everyone. Stay tuned as we explore how Niko and his team are creating the most loved hospitality brand around, one innovative idea at a time
The Guest
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nkarstikko/
LinkedIn - https://fi.linkedin.com/in/nikokarstikko
Bob W - https://www.instagram.com/bobwco/
https://bobw.co/
Niko Karstikko is a Finnish tech entrepreneur reinventing the hospitality industry as Co-founder and CEO of Bob W. Bob W is a tech company operating in hospitality and the first international climate-neutral hospitality provider. Under Karstikko’s leadership, Bob W has raised a total of over €70M in funding, and outperformed hotels and competition, whilst expanding to 10 countries and 17 cities across Europe operating 36 aparthotels to-date.
In addition to previously being the founder and CEO of VC-backed multinational consumer tech startup SportSetter (exit in 2016), Karstikko is also an experienced hospitality entrepreneur and occasional angel investor with a Bachelor degree in International Business and Finance from the University of South Carolina.
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Almost 2 years ago to the day, I was lucky enough to get the industry legend that is Danny Pecorelli on the show to tell his story. Within that story we got talking about a very special event that was about to happen called Back to the Floor and he kindly invited me to join his table.
What unfolded at that event was what undoubtedly makes Back to the Floor one of the most celebrated events on the hospitality calendar. Fun and Carnage in equal measure, all whilst raising some much needed funds for those legends over at Hospitality Action.
2 years on, and it's nearly time for 2024's version to take centre stage, this time hosted at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. With all that in mind, I thought it'd be great to shine a light on the event again through the GM of that very hotel, James Clarke.
In this special we talk about
James' StoryPark Plaza Westminster BridgeThe history of Back to the FloorWhat to expect on the nightThe auction prizesWhat it’s like as a waiter or sommelier at the eventStories of the CarnageHow to support the event
No doubt James has his work cut out for him keeping scores of our industry's finest under control for the evening but 2024's Back to the floor promises to be quite magnificent.
Enjoy!
To get behind this quite magnificent event, head to https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/events/2024/april/back-to-the-floor/


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Today marks the end of season 5 of the show and we are signing off with a bang. I welcomed Hamish Anderson to the show, CEO of Tate Enterprises. This episode was a totally joyous education from the outset and represents another wonderful corner of the industry, where art and hospitality collide, in glorious fashion (Have I just inadvertently written a tagline for next years fashion week?).
Hamish is brilliant, he oozes effortless passion for hospitality all the way through and with some cracking stories too.
We cover:-
JanuaryThe many enterprises of TateEarly careerGetting into wineStock taking evolutionBibendumWriting a book about wineClimbing the ranks at TateDeep thinkingLeadership LessonsFinding a bottle of Dubonnet for the queenMagnums of BollingerThe evolution of Tate
And so much more.
I can't sign off season 5 without thanking you all for listening, this has been the most incredible season of the show, climbing into the top 1% of all podcasts and more of you are listening than ever before which I'll be forever grateful for. A huge thank you also goes to our Headline Sponsor, RotaCloud. Without the support of sponsors, it makes it very difficult to run the show.
I'll be back in the summer with more fun and shenanigans from the world of hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Hamish Anderson is the CEO of Tate Enterprises, a diverse business running Tate's commercial activity - Events, F&B, Retail, E Commerce, Publishing, Merchandise, Product & Image Licensing, a coffee roasting business (Coffee by Tate)
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Another treat for you this week as I got some time with the wonderful Zoe Watts, Managing Director of Bennett Hay
Zoe's rise to MD has seen her take in some quite amazing places to work. In addition to her journey we also get through:-
Exploring being a nurseThe BHS Coffee ShopOff to UniBeefeater RestaurantsSavill garden RestaurantBecoming a GMThe people who see something in youThe Royal Society of ArtsTateEventsThe Adaptability of HospitalityMeetings with RoyaltyThe move to contract cateringBennett Hay
And a whole lot more. Zoe's got some great stories up her sleeves which she recounts with us and in amongst all of that is a just wonderful career journey so far.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Zoe Watts is the Managing Director of Bennett Hay, an independent contract caterer specialising in workplace catering.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zo%C3%AB-watts-fih-96613615/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Time for a cheeky bonus and this week I welcomed the absolutely epic, and my good friend, Dr Lizzy Bernthal who is a resilience specialist to chat through work place Toxicity and how to eradicate it (Amongst other things).
Lizzy has an amazing story of how she ended up specialising in this under discussed, but relevant topic and we cover a lot including:-
The ArmyFighting back against ToxicityResilienceForms of ToxicityThe Drama triangleEmpowermentLanguageChoicesThe signs of ToxicityCulture & ValuesCoaching
And so much more. If you're in place that's toxic or just want to learn more about improving your resilience, Lizzy is THE person to ignite this within you.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Dr Lizzy Bernthal is a resilience coach who is on a mission to help 1 million purpose driven business owners and leaders to find their confidence and resilience already within them whilst working with values driven businesses to flourish in line with their vision and purpose
Website - https://rypotential.co.uk/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzybernthal-resilience-specialist/
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

It's Valentines day and so I got to talk to someone about a subject I LOVE! That being, People!
I welcomed the quite superb Jo Harley, Co-founder of Korero and Hendrick & Hyde, to the show. Jo was nervous about coming on the show as she's never had the confidence to do this sort of thing before but she needn't have worried as she brought her natural, chatty self and we laid into a lot, including:-
Brewdog WaterlooMarketingMeasures of successComing to workWhat good looks likeLeisure Management DegreesCheerleadingGreeceWorking in barsHospitality as National serviceFunInevitable evolutionKoreroResting bitch face
And so much more. Jo is the very epitome of a people person and she brings the fun from the outset in what is another wonderful career within hospitality.
Enjoy!
The Guest
Jo is the Co-Founder of Korero, a new standard in career conversations and Hendrick & Hyde, who help businesses become great places to work.
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-harley/
Email - jo@hellokorero.co
The Sponsor
Today’s episode comes to you in partnership with RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.
RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.
It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.
Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil


This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy