Hospitality from Within

Kim Lerner
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Hospitality from Within

Welcome to Hospitality from Within Podcast! Kim Lerner is a leadership coach and professor for the hospitality industry. She spent almost 2 decades leading teams through restaurant openings with a strong emphasizes on creating safe spaces for each team member to be themselves and feel a part of the team. This space was created for leaders to learn how to build their confidence within their voice, gain insights and hear stories from other like-minded leaders that are paving the way to a more sustainable hospitality industry. For ways to work with Kim, visit www.onlyyummyalways.com. And for resources, workshops and community, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com. Thank you for being here and remember to keep it only yummy, always.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Ep 42 - The key skill that every leader needs to have is listening with Naureen Ahmed

    Ep 42 - The key skill that every leader needs to have is listening with Naureen Ahmed Naureen was the first podcast host that created the space for me to share my leadership story and I’m honored to have her on as a guest here to shine light on hers. Naureen tells a story unlike most do, with calm, poise and confidence. She shares so openly what feedback was given to her throughout her career and moments that she learned from to help her grow. Listen attentively to this delightful conversation - I promise you, you will want to take notes!  About Naureen Naureen Ahmed is a seasoned hospitality professional, a fervent community builder, an engaging storyteller, and the visionary founder of ‘Inspiring Women in Hospitality’.With a life journey that saw her living in four different countries by the age of 10, Naureen's path to the hospitality industry felt predestined. Her academic pursuits led her to the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, where she felt an immediate kinship with fellow students, each with their own unique stories.Embarking on her career with a position at the Landmark London Hotel, Naureen quickly embraced the operational aspects of hospitality, setting the stage for a significant tenure at STR. Over 12 years, she transitioned through roles from analyst to head of departments, playing a pivotal role in transforming STR into the recognized brand it is today. Naureen's leadership style is marked by inclusivity and a focus on building multicultural team environments.Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in hospitality, Naureen launched the ‘Inspiring Women in Hospitality’ podcast to amplify female voices and inspire change within the industry. Her efforts expanded in September 2023 with the creation of the Inspire Community, a platform designed to foster support among women through mentorship and career development discussions For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within and join the Lead with Confidence membership.

    34 min

  2. OCT 16

    EP 41 - Releasing the control valve as a leader and letting restaurants be a living and breathing space

    Do you identify with needing to be in full control as a leader?  Do you also fear not having everything perfect before service starts? This episode may bring you some insights.   You can get the full article here. For more resources to learn how to lead with confidence, visit The School of Hospitality from Within

    15 min

  3. OCT 9

    Ep 40 - Not every culture is for every person and that’s ok - that’s a sign of healthy culture with Sarah Diehl

    Ep 40 - Not every culture is for every person and that’s ok - that’s a sign of healthy culture with Sarah Diehl Sarah began her career in operations and quickly saw the need to support restaurant owners and teams in helping them create more inviting cultures. She shares her journey and what made her found Empowered Hospitality - it wasn’t linear and all the learning opportunities showed up at the right time to help her pivot. Through these moments, she had continuously come back to herself, redefine what community has meant to her and it has all lead her to creating a really special and unique culture at EH, while helping restaurant owners do the same. Sarah is a gem of a human and steps into a bit of discomfort with me during this conversation to let me shine light on the incredibly inspiring and kind human and leader she is!  About Sarah Sarah began her career in restaurant operations with Hillstone Restaurant Group, becoming one of the youngest general managers at a $10m+ location before transitioning to a corporate HR role. After several years as an HR director, however, her position was eliminated, prompting her to pursue a similar HR leadership role in NYC's bustling hospitality industry. To her dismay, many of the small hospitality businesses she was drawn to simply did not need full-time HR support, despite their struggle with HR. In many of these initial conversations, Sarah instinctively pivoted her interview into a strategy session, focusing not on her career goals but on the HR needs of each business - often offering to complete small HR projects as a freelancer. A few months of working in this capacity was all Sarah needed to embrace her calling to build a sustainable, scalable consulting business. Empowered Hospitality was born. Sarah earned her bachelor’s in political science with honors from Yale and holds SHRM-SCP, WSET Advanced (Wine & Spirits Educational Trust), and CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) certifications. Sarah was selected as a 2021 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow for her passion for building an equitable, collaborative, and socially conscious small business, is a perennial speaker at the annual FAB Conference in Charleston, SC, a frequent panelist on topics related to people and organization for the James Beard Foundation, and a guest lecturer at the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.

    39 min

  4. OCT 2

    Ep 39 - When the shift has to happen, your intuition will show you when it’s time to take the leap with Daneen Green

    Ep 39 -  When the shift has to happen, you’re intuition will show you when it’s time to take the leap with Daneen Green  Daneen is as full of light as her voice is! She shares her career journey and how it has continued to unfold. “Kitchen feels like home to me” and that has been a north star for her ever since she took culinary classes. Daneen has built a deep trust in her own knowledge and allows her authentic self to be front stage - from here, the kitchen has always found her. It’s not easy to have a career as a private chef but Daneen shares how she continues to grow her career and client base from her authentic truth.    About Daneen Daneen has built a career focused on delivering luxury on a plate, celebrating beautiful food, enticing flavors and her passion for hospitality. With over 15 years experience in the culinary world, including 11 years as a sought-after private chef curating personalized dining experiences for discerning clients and companies (TED, LiveNation). Recently, she has expanded her expertise into the fields of genetic and microbiome nutrition, blending the science of personalized nutrition with her deep understanding of food as medicine. Daneen offers a truly holistic approach to cooking, merging culinary artistry with cutting-edge nutrition science by focusing on how epigenetics influence individual dietary needs, and how managing the microbiome can heal both body and mind. At her new company, Soul and Cell, Daneen and her fellow mind-body practitioners, are at the forefront of a new movement that bridges the gap between optimal mental health and holistic cellular wellbeing.For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.

    32 min

  5. SEP 25

    Ep 38 - I never had a plan but I was always guided by what was curious to me with Jon Check

    Ep 38 - I never had a plan but I was always guided by what was curious to me with Jon Check Jon is down to earth and the realest - there's no BS here. He is true to himself and it shows in his leadership. Jon took the paths unknown in his career knowing that trusting his curiosity and gut would always lead him to his next role. To no surprise, trust is deeply rooted in the foundation of his leadership style and voice. Jon shares with us his career path and how he builds trust with his teams.  About Jon Jon Check is Head of Culinary and Operations at INDAY, a fine-casual restaurant company rooted in Indian cuisine and philosophy.  Prior to joining INDAY, Jon was Director of Culinary Operations for Dig, Where he led the menu team and the Research and Development Department. Jon has cooked in some of New York City's most beloved and interesting restaurants, including Savoy, Gramercy Tavern, Vinegar Hill House and Buttermilk Channel, where he was Head Chef. He holds a B.A. in Creative Nonfiction Writing and African Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College.  Jon is also a life-long musician who has independently released 4 albums of original music.    For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.

    32 min

  6. SEP 18

    Ep 37 - Leadership means striving to explore myself as a complete human, feeling person and apply it to all actions that impact my businesses with Josh Harris

    Ep 37 - Leadership means striving to explore myself as a complete human, feeling person and apply it to all actions that impact my businesses with Josh Harris Josh speaks openly and honestly about his journey from bartender to entrepreneur. He shares about his sobriety and how education is deeply rooted in his personal life and the fabric of each of his businesses under the Bon Vivants Hospitality umbrella. We cover a rainbow of topics from how he and his team has created such a dope culture at Trick Dog, the impact of Pig & Punch, and his personal journey in discovering his own emotions as a whole human. It’s an awe inspiring and calm conversation filled with so many takeaways!    For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.    About Josh Josh Harris, founder, Bon Vivants Hospitality Hospitality veteran and San Francisco native Josh Harris is the founder of the nationally recognized drinks marketing, development, and trade advocacy agency, The Bon Vivants; awarded hospitality group, Bon Vivants Hospitality; owner of Quik Dog and the James Beard Foundation Award-nominated bar, Trick Dog; and creator of The Bon Vivants Scholarship. Harris is a bulldog lover, an ultra-runner, and a vintage watch peddler. Sober since 2003, Harris is an advisor for ALTR, an alcohol nanotechnology reduction company, and he is a strong advocate for raising the bar of non-alcoholic drinking.   Harris graduated from San Francisco’s St. Ignatius College Preparatory School and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in politics from the University of San Francisco. Upon recognizing his true calling for hospitality, Harris veered off the law school path and doubled down in the cocktail and hospitality world in which he worked part-time throughout college before founding The Bon Vivants in 2009. The Bon Vivants offers beverage consulting services for venues, including the San Francisco Proper Hotel and formerly the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. The company has engaged in numerous drink development projects on an international scale, consulting on liquid profile, packaging, drink strategies, commercial launches, and trade advocacy programs for brands like Tequila Ocho, Ancho Reyes, and the first non-alcoholic distilled spirit, Seedlip.   In 2013, Harris opened his first bar, Trick Dog, the acclaimed, James Beard Foundation Award-nominated San Francisco cocktail bar that changes its highly creative menu in form and concept every six months. Trick Dog has won “The World’s Best Cocktail Menu” at Tales of the Cocktails Spirited Awards twice (and is no longer eligible for the category). In addition to those prestigious awards, Trick Dog has been named semifinalist for five and a finalist for three James Beard Foundation Awards for Outstanding Bar Program. Trick Dog has also been included on the 2014-2019 World’s 50 Best Bars lists, and has earned several nods from the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, with a win for “Best American Bar Team” and nominations for “World’s Best Cocktail Bar,” “Best American Cocktail Bar,” and “Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar.” Nightclub & Bar Media Group named Trick Dog “Cocktail Bar of the Year” in 2017. Trick Dog is the only establishment of its kind in the Bay Area to receive a three-star review from San Francisco Chronicle’s then-restaurant critic, Michael Bauer.    In 2020, Harris created Quik Dog, a fast-casual younger sibling of Trick Dog focused on burgers, hot dogs, and great drinks. In spring 2025, Quik Dog is scheduled to open in Mission Rock, a 28-acre mixed-use development being built across from Oracle Park in San Francisco. Through all these ventures, Harris has used these platforms to create several philanthropic and community initiatives. Starting in 2010, he has produced the company’s signature fundraiser Pig & Punch in cities including

    49 min

  7. SEP 11

    Ep 36 - What would it look like if we sought out wildly different perspectives than our own with Kira O’Brien

    Ep 36 - What would it look like if we sought out wildly different perspectives than our own with Kira O’Brien Kira joins me in a very honest conversation rooted in community values, curiosity of understanding each other’s languages and how to shine light on those around us. Kira and I share many of the same values and perspectives on the world and we have two very special things in common - both born and raised New Yorkers and we share the same birthday! I like to believe this is a ground for our ease in conversation flow and sharing to better help anyone that is listening or crosses our paths. Kira also brings up a hot topic of how to navigate networking and stepping away from the small talk. We workshop questions and get really real about what types of questions you can ask at your next working event to get to know someone on a deeper level instead of discussing the weather, the coffee or topics that not everyone can relate to.  About Kira Dr. Kira O’Brien, LSW - New York Director & Chief Human Resources Officer Bringing with her a passion for community, empowerment and education, Dr. Kira O'Brien is the NY Director and CHRO for Emma's Torch, a nonprofit social enterprise that focuses on refugee empowerment through culinary education.  Before joining Emma's Torch, Kira's career as a Social Worker spanned from welcoming newly arrived refugees at the International Rescue Committee to supporting undergraduates in social justice work at Princeton University. A recent from the Rutgers School of Social Work, Kira's doctoral research focused on the role of experiential education in empowerment: how learning through doing can shape who we are and how we see ourselves in the world. She can think of no better example for this than right in the kitchen at Emma's Torch. In addition to her work at Emma's Torch, Kira teaches in the Rutgers School of Social Work masters program and serves on the board of Catalyst Kitchens. A Brooklyn native and Queens transplant, Kira spends most of her free time trying new foods, debating the characteristics of the perfect slice of pizza, reading science fiction and being bossed around by her cats, Yoda & Jonesy (from star wars and alien respectively).  You can also read more about what lights Kira’s up on her substack.  Download our "Networking with purpose" filled with questions you can ask at events or use as icebreakers in team meeting.    For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.

    36 min

  8. AUG 28

    Ep 35 - Asking for help from others allowed me to learn different skill sets with Katherine Sprung

    Ep 35 - Asking for help from others allowed me to learn different skill sets with Katherine Sprung This conversation with Katherine reveals so many full circle moments and how love stories in her career always brought her to the next part of her journey. Katherine shares how she’s asked for help each step of the way. This conversation is a great reminder to keep going, follow your intuition and remember to check the ego at the door!    About Katherine Katherine Sprung is the founder and owner of Squish Marshmallows, host of Sprung On Food, commercial voice over artist, award winning pastry chef, and content creator. Throughout the years, Katherine, and Squish Marshmallows, have been featured on Hallmark Channel, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, Eater, Insider, Money, Thrillist, Forbes, Food Network, among others, and named as a finalist for "Best Dessert" at the Vendy Awards, selected for Marie Claire’s 2019 Power Trip, a Tory Burch Fellowship 2020 Fellow, and winner of Food Network's Chopped Sweets. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within.

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Hospitality from Within Podcast! Kim Lerner is a leadership coach and professor for the hospitality industry. She spent almost 2 decades leading teams through restaurant openings with a strong emphasizes on creating safe spaces for each team member to be themselves and feel a part of the team. This space was created for leaders to learn how to build their confidence within their voice, gain insights and hear stories from other like-minded leaders that are paving the way to a more sustainable hospitality industry. For ways to work with Kim, visit www.onlyyummyalways.com. And for resources, workshops and community, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com. Thank you for being here and remember to keep it only yummy, always.

Information

  • Creator
    Kim Lerner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The School of Hospitality from Within
  • Show Website
    Hospitality from Within

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