Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality

Hospitality.FM
  • 5.0 (80)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, where we unlock the secrets behind the world's most successful hotel and hospitality brands. Hosted by industry expert Katie Cline, each episode features exclusive interviews with top executives, seasoned leaders, and trailblazing innovators in the hospitality world. Together, they reveal the strategies that drive guest loyalty, enhance customer experiences, and set their brands apart in a competitive market. Whether you’re a seasoned hospitality professional or aspiring to break into the industry, Katie will distill each conversation into actionable steps that you can implement in your own business. Tune in weekly to elevate your hospitality game and achieve your own 'suite' success. Presented by Lodgify and ⁠Bilt⁠.

  1. Inside the Data-Driven Strategy Powering One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Luxury Destinations

    4d ago

    Inside the Data-Driven Strategy Powering One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Luxury Destinations

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, to explore the data-driven strategy behind one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury destinations. Over the past decade, Los Cabos has achieved nearly 130% growth in visitation while simultaneously strengthening its luxury positioning, protecting its natural environment, and increasing visitor spending. Rodrigo shares how destination marketing has evolved far beyond advertising and storytelling into a sophisticated blend of analytics, stakeholder alignment, infrastructure planning, and long-term economic development. Katie and Rodrigo discuss how Los Cabos uses data to identify emerging travel trends, influence investment decisions, secure new airline routes, and shape the future of the destination. Rodrigo also explains why the region prioritizes quality over quantity, the role AI is playing in destination management, and how thoughtful tourism development can create meaningful economic opportunities for local communities. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:38 Meet Rodrigo Esponda 01:34 From Architecture to Tourism 04:15 Modern Destination Marketing 07:35 Data Trends and Experiences 10:16 AI Powered Visitor Insights 13:24 Luxury Shift  19:10 Social Media Storytelling 22:02 Sustainable Growth Strategy 26:28 Building Nonstop Airlift 29:22 Crisis Management 32:37 Future of Los Cabos 41:01 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Rodrigo:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodrigo's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/responda/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Los Cabos's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.visitaloscabos.travel/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    46 min
  2. Inside NYU IHIF 2026: What CEOs, Investors & Industry Leaders See Next

    Jun 11

    Inside NYU IHIF 2026: What CEOs, Investors & Industry Leaders See Next

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline takes listeners inside the 2026 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum (NYU IHIF), one of the most influential gatherings in global hospitality, travel, and hotel real estate. Featuring exclusive conversations with Alexi Khajavi, Group President of Hospitality and Operational Real Estate at Questex; Robert O'Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism; and Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles & Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, this special roundup episode explores the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of hospitality. From investor sentiment and artificial intelligence to luxury travel, mega-events, and the enduring power of human connection, Katie uncovers why industry leaders remain optimistic about the future despite economic uncertainty and global volatility. You'll hear why travel demand continues to defy expectations, what hospitality investors representing more than $700 billion in assets are focused on, how the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games are expected to influence tourism for years to come, and why the next era of luxury hospitality will be defined by personalization, flexibility, and meaningful human connection. Whether you're a hotel owner, investor, operator, developer, or simply passionate about the future of travel, this episode offers a front-row seat to the conversations shaping hospitality's next chapter. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:34 NYU IHIF 2026 Overview 03:22 Meet The Guests 04:17 What is NYU IHIF  08:02 Big Themes 15:53 Alexi Khajavi on Underdiscussed Labor Politics 19:57 Why Midscale Hotel Returns Are Defying Expectations - Alexi Khajavi 22:50 Robert O'Leary on What's Driving Global Travel Demand 24:05 Travel Tailwinds, Mega Events, and Tourism Growth - Robert O'Leary 29:21 How Destinations Are Preparing for the World Cup - Robert O'Leary 33:51 Robert O'Leary on Building a National Travel Strategy 39:55 Omer Acar on the Strength of Luxury Travel Demand 43:40 The Future of Luxury Experiences According to Omer Acar 45:02 Conference Takeaways ⁠Connect with the guests:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alexi Khajavi's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: linkedin.com/in/alexihuntleykhajavi ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ National Travel and Tourism Office⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-office ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omer Acar's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-acar-a9685810/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NYU IHIF's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.ihifamericas.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    49 min
  3. The Billion-Dollar Business Hidden Inside a Jimmy Buffett Song

    Jun 4

    The Billion-Dollar Business Hidden Inside a Jimmy Buffett Song

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline interviews John Cohlan, CEO and Co-Founder of Margaritaville, to explore how a single Jimmy Buffett song evolved into a global lifestyle brand spanning hotels, resorts, cruises, active adult communities, restaurants, consumer products, and more. John shares the unlikely story of how a Princeton graduate and Georgetown-trained lawyer who never practiced law found himself partnering with Jimmy Buffett to build one of hospitality’s most recognizable brands. Along the way, they discuss why Margaritaville isn’t really in the hotel or restaurant business—it’s in the business of emotion. From brand extensions and company culture to customer loyalty and the power of escapism, this conversation is a masterclass in creating a brand people don’t just buy from—they believe in. Along the way, John shares stories from his nearly 30-year friendship and partnership with Jimmy Buffett, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the man, the music, and the philosophy that inspired one of hospitality's most beloved brands. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:37 Meet John Cohlan 01:34 From Studying Law to Meeting Jimmy Buffett 04:28 Universal CityWalk 06:35 Building a State of Mind 08:08 Emotion as the Product 12:04 Why “Margaritaville” Endures 16:32 The Business Today 20:05 Brand Extensions 21:51 Training and Culture Systems 25:52 Lyrics and Guest Connection 29:46 Marketing Escapism  33:55 Future Growth  40:18 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with John:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/company/margaritaville/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Margaritaville's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.margaritaville.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    46 min
  4. How This Entrepreneur Turned Hospitality Into a $90 Million Fitness Empire

    May 28

    How This Entrepreneur Turned Hospitality Into a $90 Million Fitness Empire

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with entrepreneur and boutique fitness executive Adam Shane for a conversation about hospitality, wellness, entrepreneurship, and the power of immersive experiences. Adam is the owner of Yoga Joint New York, a premier chain of infrared-heated fitness and hot yoga studios.  Adam started his career in investment banking and corporate finance on Wall Street. But despite the prestige of that path, he found himself drawn to something entirely different: the sense of community and emotional connection he experienced in fitness spaces. After roles with Town Sports and Equinox, Adam eventually became the most successful global franchisee in the Barry's system, scaling seven Bay Area studios into a business valued at more than $90 million before later joining the company’s executive team as Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Development Officer. Together, Katie and Adam explore how boutique fitness evolved from traditional gym culture into a fully immersive hospitality experience — one rooted in emotion, design, community, and human connection. Adam shares how pivotal moments at SoulCycle, Barry’s, and now Yoga Joint shaped the trajectory of his career and taught him how to identify brands with massive growth potential. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:37 Meet Adam Shane 01:34 From Wall Street to Fitness 02:42 Corporate Real Estate 04:06 “Start in the Mailroom” 06:40 Boutique Fitness Awakening 10:17 Hospitality is Everywhere 13:18 Finding Barry’s 17:53 Franchise Mindset 19:58 Moving to San Francisco 21:13 Four Walls Economics 24:47 Scaling to Seven Studios 26:33 COVID and a New Chapter 28:34 Discovering Yoga Joint  29:53 Workout Experience 30:20 Brand Research  32:11 Values and Partnership 33:52 New York Expansion Plan 35:33 How to Pick Locations 36:45 Entrepreneur Mindset  41:32 Future of Wellness 51:39 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Adam:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-shane14/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/adamjshane/?hl=en ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yoga Joint's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.yogajoint.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    56 min
  5. The Cold DM That Sparked a Real Estate Movement

    May 21

    The Cold DM That Sparked a Real Estate Movement

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Grace Gudenkauf and Amelia McGee, co-founders of WIIRE (Women Invest in Real Estate), the fast-growing community helping women pursue financial and time freedom through real estate investing and entrepreneurship. What started with a cold Instagram DM between two strangers in Iowa has since grown into a movement serving thousands of women through retreats, masterminds, education, and community. Together, they discuss why so many aspiring investors are waiting for permission to get started, how community can completely transform what feels possible, and why creating “W2-optional” lives has become such a powerful motivator for women seeking more flexibility. Grace and Amelia also share the behind-the-scenes story of building WIIRE organically from the ground up, hosting retreats before they felt fully ready, and learning how hospitality principles—from onboarding to first impressions—have shaped every aspect of their business. The conversation also explores co-founder dynamics, the confidence gap in investing, how women often approach business and risk differently, and why being surrounded by people “moving in the same current” can accelerate growth in ways you never imagined. Plus, they share lessons from their book, The Self-Managing Landlord (https://amzn.to/49enAme), and explain why hospitality and customer service are at the heart of successful property management. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ WIIRE Summer Retreat: $200 off with code KATIE - Wiire.com/summercamp Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:39 Introducing Grace Gudenkauf and Amelia McGee 01:26 How it Started: A Cold DM 02:47 First Meetup 03:28 Start Before You’re Ready 05:36 Hosting a Retreat 08:34 Gatlinburg Lessons 10:45 Co-Founder Workflow 17:41 Onboarding with Hospitality 20:10 WIIRE Summer Camp 24:12 Women Invest Differently 29:59 The Self-Managing Landlord 40:15 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Grace & Amelia:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grace's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: linkedin.com/in/grace-gudenkauf-321186112 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amelia's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-mcgee-b1a1b464/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WIIRE's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://wiire.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    45 min
  6. How This Founder’s Cancer Diagnosis Sparked One of the World’s Most Unique Wellness Retreats

    May 14

    How This Founder’s Cancer Diagnosis Sparked One of the World’s Most Unique Wellness Retreats

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Marina Efraimoglou, the founder of Euphoria Retreat, to uncover the deeply personal story behind one of the world’s most unique wellness destinations. Before founding Euphoria Retreat, Marina built a powerful career in finance, becoming the first chairwoman of a Greek bank. But everything changed when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 29 years old, with a 20–25% chance of survival. What followed wasn’t an overnight pivot, but a 15-year journey of healing, studying, and redefining what success really means. In this conversation, Marina shares how that diagnosis became the catalyst for a completely new approach to health, leadership, and hospitality—one that blends ancient Greek philosophy, Chinese medicine, and modern science into what is now known as the Euphoria Methodos. This episode explores what it really takes to build something truly differentiated in a crowded market and why the most meaningful concepts are often the ones that are allowed to unfold over time. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:39 Meet Marina Efraimoglou 01:53 Cancer Diagnosis 03:19 Conscious Capitalism 04:29 Finding Her Calling 10:31 Leadership and Balance 15:41 Building Euphoria Retreat 18:14 Key Points of Differentiation 21:11 Euphoria Methodos 25:50 Seasonal Programming 26:54 Biomarker Testing 31:47 Wellbeing Festival 37:00 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Marina:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marina's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-efraimoglou-5787a0ba/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marina's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/marinaefrai/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Euphoria Retreat's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.euphoriaretreat.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    41 min
  7. How to Buy a Hotel (Without Being Rich)

    May 7

    How to Buy a Hotel (Without Being Rich)

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Davonne Reaves—hotel owner, asset manager, and founder of The Vonne Group—to break down how hotel deals actually get done. From her start at the front desk to managing over $1 billion in hotel assets, Davonne has built a career rooted in understanding both the operational and financial sides of the business. Today, she’s focused on making hotel ownership more accessible and showing others what’s truly possible. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. Davonne unpacks the realities of the capital stack, how investors play a role in funding deals, and why most people are thinking about “affordability” all wrong. She also shares why starting smaller is often the smartest move, and how building the right team can make or break a deal. The result is a clear, honest look at what it really takes to buy a hotel—and why it might be more within reach than most people think. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Lodgify⁠⁠ &⁠⁠ Bilt⁠ 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:38 Meet Davonne Reaves 03:04 Path to Ownership 05:10 Asset Management Lessons 08:39 First Hotel Deal 12:25 Capital Stack Basics 17:27 Crowdfunding  22:36 Asset Management Explained 25:52 Hotels Need Humans 26:57 Service Scores Collapse 28:37 You Cannot AI Hospitality 29:50 Start Small Strategy 32:06 How to Pick the Right Investment 33:58 Big Brands versus Independent 35:13 Pitching Lenders 37:05 Build the Right Team 39:39 First Deal Fundamentals 40:44 Passive Investing  49:14 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Davonne:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Davonne's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davonnereaves ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Vonne Group's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://thevonnegroup.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Vesterr's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://vesterr.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    53 min
  8. How This Owner Bought a Property with No Money Down and Turned it into a Top 50 Hotel

    Apr 30

    How This Owner Bought a Property with No Money Down and Turned it into a Top 50 Hotel

    On this episode of Suite Success, host Katie Cline sits down with Jim Nagle, owner and managing partner of the Drake Oak Brook, an Autograph Collection Hotel, to unpack one of the most unconventional paths into hotel ownership. From starting as a Chicago attorney and bus driver to acquiring a legacy hotel with no money down, Jim’s story challenges everything we think we know about risk, experience, and what it really takes to win in real estate. But this isn’t just a story about a deal—it’s about proximity, persistence, and the mindset required to see opportunity where others see uncertainty. In fact, a visit to Richard Branson’s Necker Island offered a front-row seat to world-class brand building and reframed how he thought about opportunity. Today, The Drake Oak Brook is recognized as one of the Top 50 hotels by Condé Nast Traveler, but getting there required navigating the Great Recession, rebuilding during COVID, and redefining what hospitality means at its core. This episode is brought to you by ⁠Lodgify⁠ &⁠ Bilt⁠ 00:00 Welcome to Suite Success 00:37 Meet Jim Nagle 01:48 From Law to Real Estate 03:38 Mentor and Mindset 05:14 Buying the Drake Brand 06:21 Necker Island Lessons 08:59 Pulling the Trigger 11:38 CTA Bus Driver Days 13:21 Drake Decline and Ponzi Scheme 14:28 Rebuilding Through Crises 19:31 Hard Times  20:18 COVID Renovation Hustle 21:07 Discovering Hidden Talent 24:45 Hospitality Learning Curve 26:34 Top 50 In The World 29:41 Scholarships For Families 31:48 Expanding Into Africa 37:43 Suite Summary ⁠Connect with Jim:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jim's LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-nagle-b6777368/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Drake Oak Brook's Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/ Links: Apple Podcasts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Suite Success Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Katie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    42 min
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5
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80 Ratings

About

Welcome to Suite Success: Masters of Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, where we unlock the secrets behind the world's most successful hotel and hospitality brands. Hosted by industry expert Katie Cline, each episode features exclusive interviews with top executives, seasoned leaders, and trailblazing innovators in the hospitality world. Together, they reveal the strategies that drive guest loyalty, enhance customer experiences, and set their brands apart in a competitive market. Whether you’re a seasoned hospitality professional or aspiring to break into the industry, Katie will distill each conversation into actionable steps that you can implement in your own business. Tune in weekly to elevate your hospitality game and achieve your own 'suite' success. Presented by Lodgify and ⁠Bilt⁠.

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