Masters of Moments

Jake Wurzak
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Masters of Moments

Masters of Moments involves conversations with top entrepreneurs and business leaders about hospitality, Real Estate investing, and company building. We explore the ideas, strategies, and approaches that brought them to where they are today. This podcast is for you if you are a seasoned investor, an upstart entrepreneur, or someone looking to break into the real estate and hospitality investing world. Jake Wurzak is the CEO of DoveHill Capital Management and Wurzak Hotel Group, a leading vertically integrated hospitality investment platform. Since 2011, he’s led the investment of $1.5 billion in hotel assets throughout the country. Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWurzak Take the Hospitality Real Estate Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzvzdJASDiEXhV9VhkaEoWA Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://dovehillcos.junipersquare.com/portal/view_lead_capture_form/MzhmOGE4MTUwMjZhNDZkNmU1MGE0NmYwOTdhZjk2MzAxYzE0MjIzMGdBV1ZEUUFBQUFBQUFBQW9UVzhJVFdzTlRrNkpkSlF1 DoveHill: www.dovehillcos.com

  1. Concepting Your Dream Hotel - Jake Wurzak

    1 DAY AGO

    Concepting Your Dream Hotel - Jake Wurzak

    In this episode of Masters of Moments, I take a step back to reflect on how far the show has come and express my gratitude to every listener who’s been part of this journey. If you’ve been enjoying the conversations, I’d love for you to leave a review and send in your dream guest suggestions—your input helps shape the show's future! This time, I’m diving deep into the art of bringing a boutique hotel to life—from the first spark of an idea to the moment guests step through the doors. I break down the essential steps: crafting a compelling brand identity, assembling the perfect team (think top-tier designers, architects, lighting experts, and kitchen consultants), and setting a crystal-clear vision with a detailed mood board to shape every detail of the guest experience. I also explore the power of model rooms—why they’re game-changers—and the importance of seamless coordination to ensure every element comes together flawlessly. Plus, I share insider tips on leveraging social media and building an online presence that makes your hotel stand out. Whether you dream of developing a boutique hotel or love the behind-the-scenes of hospitality design, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Check out Sleeper Magazine - https://www.sleepermagazine.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro   (00:00:34) - Reflecting on 100 Episodes of Masters of Moments   (00:02:08) - How to Conceptualize and Design a Hotel   (00:04:12) - Creating a Vision Board for Your Hotel   (00:09:43) - Hiring the Right Team: Designers and Architects   (00:14:32) - The Phases of Hotel Design   (00:17:51) - Additional Consultants and Model Rooms   (00:23:12) - Final Steps: Technology, Marketing, and Launch   (00:26:54) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    28 min
  2. Coaching Call: Maximizing Your Hotel Investment - Lessons, Strategies, and Insights

    JAN 29

    Coaching Call: Maximizing Your Hotel Investment - Lessons, Strategies, and Insights

    In this episode, Jake emphasizes the importance of having a team for unbiased insights, building cushion into deals, and learning from both your mistakes and others.  He shares an in-depth look at his process for underwriting hotel deals, including revenue assumptions, expense analysis, financing structures, and the role of pro forma models.  Jake also touches on the significance of community and networking in the hospitality industry, leveraging past partners and peers for feedback and collaboration. From discussing a potential but ultimately avoided deal in New England to highlighting the benefits of working with branding agencies and interior designers, this episode is a masterclass! Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:56) - The Value of a Hospitality Network (00:02:40) - Savannah Hotel Deal and Due Diligence (00:03:55) - Navigating Investment Strategies and Honest Feedback (00:06:23) - Underwriting Deals: A Case Study (00:08:53) - Seasonal Hotel Operations and Business Plan (00:15:03) - Evaluating Hotel Deals and Financial Metrics (00:25:28) - Short-Term Rental Opportunities (00:26:06) - Financing and Bridge Loans (00:27:52) - Pro Forma Metrics and Cash Flow (00:30:30) - Internal Memos and Investment Committee (00:32:34) - Lease to Buy Options and Master Leases (00:37:38) - Pro Forma Creation and Sensitivity Analysis (00:40:13) - Investor Returns and Deal Structures (00:45:38) - Design and Renovation Budgeting (00:50:26) - Final Thoughts and Q&A

    51 min
  3. Navigating NYC & Miami's Toughest Markets: Development Insights with Matthew Baron - President and Founder of Baron Property Group

    JAN 22

    Navigating NYC & Miami's Toughest Markets: Development Insights with Matthew Baron - President and Founder of Baron Property Group

    Matthew Baron is the Founder and President of BPG, Formed in 2021, BPG has an active development pipeline totaling nearly 4 million square feet and over 3,600 new residential units, valued at over $2 billion. Under Matthew Baron’s leadership, the company’s current portfolio includes large-scale mixed-use and rental residential development projects in Long Island City, Queens, and Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, as well as the Miami metro area cities of Hialeah and Coral Gables. Baron Property Group is a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm. Leveraging over 30 years of real estate experience, they develop residential and commercial properties nationwide, emphasizing New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Links: Baron Property Group Matthew on LinkedIn Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:10) - Life in NY RE (00:3:00) - Matthew’s early career (00:18:27) - Matt’s first deal (00:23:52) - Pivoting into hotels (00:28:08) - Starting a company during the GFC (00:31:23) - Focusing on MF development (00:34:36) - Mitigating risk (00:36:30) - Location nuances (00:42:03) - Design and construction (00:46:24) - What’s stopping you from developing more projects? (00:51:23) - Dealing with Unions (00:53:01) - Getting into the Miami market (00:54:10) - Identifying partners (00:59:52) - Building out a team (01:02:20) - What are you most worried about in the business? (01:05:42) - What’s the biggest opportunity in Miami? (01:09:07) - Hold strategies (01:11:08) - What is your favorite hotel?

    1h 14m
  4. Hotel Investing Mistakes - Jake Wurzak

    JAN 15

    Hotel Investing Mistakes - Jake Wurzak

    On this solo episode, we deep-dive into common mistakes when investing in the hospitality space. Enjoy! Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:19) - There is no substitute for experience (00:05:00) - Location, location, location! (00:19:54) - Broken business plans (00:29:52) - Cost overruns (00:34:52) - Misunderstanding customer needs (00:36:19) - Ground-up developments

    42 min
  5. How to Spot Million-Dollar Deals: Avi Greenbaum’s Real Estate Blueprint - CEO of Triple Double RE

    JAN 8

    How to Spot Million-Dollar Deals: Avi Greenbaum’s Real Estate Blueprint - CEO of Triple Double RE

    In this episode, I sit down with Avi Greenbaum to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the decisions that defined his career. Avi shares his early ventures, including trading baseball cards as a child and running a travel business in college, which laid the groundwork for his approach to business. We explore how his ability to spot opportunities and his drive led him from Wall Street trading desks to ventures in software, real estate, and more. Our conversation dives into Avi’s entry into real estate, where he recounts his first deal in condo conversions and how he handled financing, zoning, and market trends. Avi explains how he built teams, used creative financing structures, and launched a mortgage bank to support his projects. His insights into market cycles and strategic pivots offer lessons in risk management and adaptability. We also explore Avi’s ventures in urban redevelopment, including his work in Delray Beach, Florida. From assembling parcels of land to transforming properties, Avi’s stories are full of lessons on perseverance, negotiation, and vision. This episode provides practical wisdom and a behind-the-scenes look at how Avi turned entrepreneurial efforts into success. Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Links: Triple Double RE - https://www.tripledoublere.com/ Avi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgreenbaum/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:36) - Avi’s background and career (00:25:46) - Getting deals done in South FL in the GFC (00:52:34) - How to negotiate well (01:11:02) Avi on Workforce housing  (01:24:26) - Hotel conversions (01:33:22) - What deals won’t you do? (01:39:14) - The state of Office (01:52:54) - What’s your favorite hotel?

    1h 57m
  6. Best of 2024: Selling a Micro-Hotel for $1M per Key - Isaac French - Founder of Experiential Hospitality

    JAN 1

    Best of 2024: Selling a Micro-Hotel for $1M per Key - Isaac French - Founder of Experiential Hospitality

    Isaac French crafts micro-resorts & boutique hotels. He designed, built, and sold the massively popular Live Oak Lake in Waco, Texas for $1M per key. He also founded Experiential Hospitality, an exclusive course and community for the next generation of hospitality trailblazers. On this episode, Jake and Isaac discuss: Building and Selling Live Oak LakeWhat's next for IsaacNaivety as an advantage Links: Isaac on X Experiential Hospitality Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:19) - The Nook (00:10:21) - Landscape hotels (00:14:47) - Getting into the hospitality business (00:21:44) - Building Live Oak Lake (00:44:57) - The numbers behind Live Oak Lake (01:04:02) - Selling Live Oak Lake (01:11:56) - What’s next? (01:26:12) - Naivety as an advantage (01:30:50) - What is your favorite hotel?

    1h 34m
  7. How to Successfully Plan Motel to Lifestyle Hotel Conversions + Group Q&A

    12/26/2024

    How to Successfully Plan Motel to Lifestyle Hotel Conversions + Group Q&A

    In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities and opportunities of converting older mom-and-pop motels into modern, vibrant lifestyle hotels, particularly in resort areas.  We discuss the importance of understanding the market, creative financing options, successful case studies, programming and amenities, renovation scopes and plans, and risk management. Additionally, we cover listener questions on negotiating deals, alternative financing methods, and enhancing the online presence of independent hotels. Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwurzak Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:17) - Converting Motels into Lifestyle Hotels (00:04:02) - Case Studies of Successful Conversions (00:08:53) - Market Considerations for Hotel Conversion (00:16:48) - Programming and Amenities for Modern Motels (00:19:19) - Renovation Scope and Design Tips (00:23:41) - Underwriting and Financial Considerations (00:30:06) - Q&A Session: Institutional Buyers and Revenue Potential (00:37:32) - Understanding Commission Structures in Hotel Bookings (00:37:50) - The Importance of a Compelling Website (00:39:16) - Leveraging Social Media and Influencers (00:41:40) - Outsourcing E-commerce and Revenue Management (00:42:25) - Challenges with Hotel Websites (00:46:47) - Negotiation Strategies for Buying Hotels (00:55:38) - Alternative Financing Methods (00:58:46) - Converting Motels to Multifamily Units (01:01:51) - Boutique Hotel Renovation Costs (01:06:41) - Networking and Financing in Hospitality (01:09:53) - Closing Remarks and Podcast Information

    1h 11m
  8. The Restaurant Development Masterclass - John Meadow - Founder & President of LDV Hospitality

    12/18/2024

    The Restaurant Development Masterclass - John Meadow - Founder & President of LDV Hospitality

    John Meadow is the founder and president of LDV Hospitality, a boutique hospitality group that was founded on his realization of the ambition to bring the dream of “La Dolce Vita,” to everyday life. Focused on concept and business development, John drives the creative process for the company, envisioning restaurants and bringing them to life, as well as forging new partnerships with hotel developers to create bespoke food and beverage experiences for their guests. John began LDV in 2008, with the critically acclaimed flagship Scarpetta restaurant, followed by signature brands American Cut and Dolce Italian. This episode was originally released May 10th, 2023 On this episode, Jake and John Discuss: Creating the Ultimate Dining ExperienceBuilding a Restaurant in RomeScaling LDV to a Global levelLeadership Lessons Links: LDV Hospitality: https://ldvhospitality.com/ Ralph’s Restaurant in Paris: https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/global/ralphs-paris/7120 Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: https://bit.ly/42k0AMX The Grand Hotel Parker's Naples Italy: https://en.grandhotelparkers.it/ Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on Twitter Take the Hospitality Investing Masterclass Learn How to Invest with DoveHill Timestamps: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:14) - Introducing John & his journey into hospitality (00:06:26) - Early lessons on how to cultivate an experience in Hospitality (00:11:32) - What characteristics are you for in partners? (00:13:39) - How do you set the vision for a project? (00:16:05) - Scaling on a Global level (00:27:14) - What are the tipping points for restaurants in design that you implement every time? (00:31:35) - The changing way people engage with night life (00:34:37) - Membership concepts (00:37:54) - Designing a restaurant in Rome (00:53:07) - What would surprise listeners about your leadership style? (00:57:02) - Mentorship (01:01:36) - Can a chef own a truly successful restaurant for a long period? (01:04:17) - How have you managed to rebuild investor confidence and maintain relationships since the Pandemic? (01:10:51) - How do you utilize what you learn from traveling? (01:12:30) - What is your favorite hotel?

    1h 16m
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About

Masters of Moments involves conversations with top entrepreneurs and business leaders about hospitality, Real Estate investing, and company building. We explore the ideas, strategies, and approaches that brought them to where they are today. This podcast is for you if you are a seasoned investor, an upstart entrepreneur, or someone looking to break into the real estate and hospitality investing world. Jake Wurzak is the CEO of DoveHill Capital Management and Wurzak Hotel Group, a leading vertically integrated hospitality investment platform. Since 2011, he’s led the investment of $1.5 billion in hotel assets throughout the country. Follow Jake on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWurzak Take the Hospitality Real Estate Investing Masterclass: https://learn.jakewurzak.com/ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzvzdJASDiEXhV9VhkaEoWA Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://dovehillcos.junipersquare.com/portal/view_lead_capture_form/MzhmOGE4MTUwMjZhNDZkNmU1MGE0NmYwOTdhZjk2MzAxYzE0MjIzMGdBV1ZEUUFBQUFBQUFBQW9UVzhJVFdzTlRrNkpkSlF1 DoveHill: www.dovehillcos.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jake Wurzak
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024
  • Show Website
    Masters of Moments

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