From Adventure Travel to Hotel Management: Amanda Arling's Journey in Hospitality In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Amanda Arling, the president of The Whalers Inn in Mystic, Connecticut. Amanda shares her unique career path from studying microbiology to working in adventure travel for the company Back Ro…

Join Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he delves into the inspiring story of BCB3 Hospitality, a dynamic partnership between Babak Bina, Andy Cartin, and Jamie Bissonnette. In this episode, they share their unique paths into the hospitality industry, the challenges and successes of opening four innovative restaurant concepts in Boston…

Join host Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he dives into the inspiring journey of Brett Friedman, founder of A21. Discover the stories behind Brett's rise in the hospitality industry, from humble beginnings as a pizza delivery guy to leading one of the largest culinary events agencies in the world. Learn essential tips on creating su…

Welcome to the Hospitality Mentor Podcast! In this episode, host Steve Turk interviews Ji Hye Kim, the chef-owner of Miss Kim Korean Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ji Hye shares her unconventional journey from being an economics and political science student at the University of Michigan to becoming a renowned Korean chef. Starting as a server …

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio, a leading company specializing in creating high-converting websites for hospitality companies. Eli shares his incredible journey from working in the food industry and studying at Yeshiva Universit…

In this exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, we sit down with Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez , President and Founder of MDA Hospitality Solutions. Mary shares her incredible journey from starting her hospitality career at Walt Disney World at 16 to now celebrating 10 years of success with her own company. Discover her insights on hospitali…

Join us in this inspiring episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as we welcome Chef Angelo Sosa, the Executive Chef of Kembara, Tia Carmen, and Carmocha. Chef Angelo shares his remarkable journey from his first job at a retirement home in Middletown, Connecticut, to becoming a successful chef and restaurateur. Learn about his early influences, i…

Check out Steve Turk's new book, Hospitality Unlocked: Advice, Strategies, and Insider Secrets from 75 of the World’s Top Hospitality Leaders, available now on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8JC16xJ. In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Gerald Chin, Head of Culinary for the Mina Group. Starting his journey at Carvel…

In this special episode of The Hospitality Mentor, I’m sharing a sneak peek of my new book, Hospitality Unlocked: Advice, Strategies, and Insider Secrets from 75 of the World’s Top Hospitality Leaders. Join me as I read the preface, offering a glimpse into the stories, lessons, and strategies that shaped this book. Whether you’re just starting out …

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Steve Palmer, founder of the Indigo Road Hospitality Group. Palmer shares his journey from washing dishes at 13 to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author. He discusses his passion for hospitality, the importance of culture in business, and his personal battle with …

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Winston Smith, General Manager of The Standard Spa, Miami Beach. Winston shares his incredible journey from starting in accounts payable to becoming GM, discussing his early career, transition from finance, and personal experiences that shaped his path. They explore the i…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Bill and Holly Bembenek, founders of the Temecula Wine Trolley and Wine Tours. They discuss their unique business venture, detailing its inception, the challenges faced, and the exciting growth they have experienced. The Bembeneks share insights into their personal journe…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Bryan Tubaugh, the founder of Aligned Hospitality Management. Brian shares his unique journey starting from his early days growing up in a hospitality family to founding his own management company. He discusses the valuable lessons learned from his first job as a houseman…

Join host Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he interviews Executive Chef Rebecca Tillman of the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara. Rebecca shares her journey from her humble beginnings scooping ice cream at Swenson's to her prestigious role in one of the world's top luxury hotels. Learn about her experiences, the challenges she ove…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk talks with Michael Friedman, the CEO of Simple Life Hospitality. They discuss Michael's career journey, which began with odd jobs in college and evolved into high-level roles in various hospitality and consulting firms. Michael shares insights on scaling businesses, emphasizing the …

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk sits down with Steve Galbreath, the Chief Development Officer of Garfield Public Private LLC. Steve discusses his journey from being an architect to a hospitality developer. He provides insights into the work Garfield Public Private LLC does in helping cities, airports, and universi…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Fernando Rojas, partner of Agency BE. Fernando shares his unique journey from his early passion for banking in Ecuador to his flourishing career in the hospitality and events industry. He discusses his adventurous move to the UAE, the challenges of launching an event comp…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk sits down with Cesar Wurm, Vice President of Commercial, Premium Brands for IHG® Hotels & Resorts and an accomplished author. Cesar shares his unique journey from an overnight room service assistant in Sao Paulo to a key figure in the hospitality industry. Listeners will gain insigh…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Vittorio Assaf, founder of the Serafina Group. Vittorio shares his journey from Italian stockbroker to celebrated restaurateur, recounting his early beginnings in 1986 with an investment from Andy Warhol, to the founding of the Serafina restaurants, a venture he conceived…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Scott Colebourne, the founder of PICKLESTARS. Scott shares his unconventional journey from growing up in rural New Zealand, where he developed a passion for tennis, to becoming the CEO of Cliff Drysdale Management and now venturing into pickleball consulting. He discusses…

In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk welcomes back James Ferguson, the Corporate Director of Culture for the Wurzak Hotel Group, for his second appearance on the show. They discuss James' inspiring journey in hospitality, from starting at the front desk to writing his book, 'The Confetti Culture Playbook,' and overcomi…

in this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Eric D. Moeller, founder and CEO of Freewyld, a boutique hospitality brand specializing in design-forward cabins located in nature-rich destinations. Eric shares his unique journey from a construction and real estate background to discovering his passion for hospitality t…

Join Steve Turk on this captivating episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he sits down with Vanessa James, CEO and founder of VJ Media, and the visionary behind Food, Wine and Fete. Vanessa shares her incredible journey from aspiring sports broadcaster to becoming a dynamic force in the media and events industry. Discover how she navigated h…

Today we're doing a crossover episode and sharing my other podcast. I do with my co-host Victor Feria called Tangy Talks. I hope you enjoy it. Welcome to Episode 16 of Tangy Talks! In this episode, Steve Turk and Victor Feria share their summer strategies and insights into managing the hospitality business during South Florida's slower season. They…

In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk sits down with Mauro Pinho, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Acqualina Resort. Mauro shares his incredible journey from waiting tables to becoming a leader in luxury hospitality. Discover the key moments and relationships that shaped his career, the challenges and reward…

Episode Overview: In this special crossover episode, Steve Turk, founder of The Hospitality Mentor, joins David Arraya on the Conscious Hospitality Podcast. Steve shares his journey from his early days as a cabana boy to becoming a renowned leader in the hospitality industry. With stories from iconic hotels like Lowe’s, Mandarin Oriental, and Trump…

Chatting with Hotel Innovator Ryan Rivett. Dive into the exciting world of hotel life with Ryan Rivett, the brain behind MyPlace Hotels. We're talking about how he started a unique hotel brand, his adventures in the business, and what it takes to stand out in the busy world of hospitality. Ryan opens up about his grandad's legacy with Super 8 Motel…

Join Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast for an exclusive interview with Jennifer Barnwell, President of Curator Hotel and Resort Collection. In this episode, Jennifer shares the story of her rise through the ranks in the hospitality industry and the insights she's gained along the way. From her early beginnings in upstate New York to orch…

Today, you will learn the fantastic story of Ashish Verma’s career in hospitality. Ashish is the Senior Vice President of the Luxury Division for the Unbound Collection at Hyatt Hotels. He shares his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry, starting as a management trainee for Oberoi Hotels in India after a back injury altered his initial dre…

Radi Garov, the General Manager at Soho Beach House in Miami, joins Steve in this episode to talk about his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Starting as a banquet server after moving from Bulgaria to the U.S., Radi climbed the ladder through hard work, learning, and mentorship. He shares his experiences working in various positions an…

Welcome back to another office hours session! Before Steve dives into the Q&A, he shares his experiences from the ongoing challenge of visiting 50 hotels in 50 days, focusing on finding unique, accessible amenities in hotels. Steve then answers questions from listeners, addressing subjects like using technology to improve customer experiences, mana…

This week, Steve is sitting down with Omri Shalev, the CTO and co-founder of Reeco. Reeco is a company aiming to simplify the hospitality industry's operational side. Omri shares his journey from falling in love with coding in Mexico City at 15, through his various roles in startups and big tech companies like Samsung and Microsoft, to co-founding …

Tune in to hear the most downloaded episode of The Hospitality Mentor podcast, an interview with Mary Rogers! She is now the Managing Director and Area General Manager for these hotels: Montage Healdsburg, Pendry San Diego, Pendry West Hollywood. Mary has had an incredible career in hospitality, from starting at the age of 13 working at a small bed…

Gabriel Perez, COO of Lodging for the Indigo Road Hospitality Group, shares his extensive journey in the hospitality industry, beginning as a pool bar attendant in Venezuela. With experiences ranging from managing operations at the Intercontinental Hotel to navigating the challenges of condominium hotels and the impacts of the 2008 financial crisis…

Sami Kohen, Vice President of Food and Beverage for Princess Cruises, joins Steve this week to share his remarkable journey from working as a bellman in Istanbul to excelling in various roles across the hospitality and cruise industry. Sami dives into his entrepreneurial endeavors and challenges in Miami's restaurant scene, his transition from on-s…

Lance Sanson, Vice President of Campus Dining at John Knox Village, exploring his extensive career in hospitality. Starting as a busboy in Eugene, Oregon, Lance describes his early years, learning under notable figures, progressing through various roles including management positions in airport dining and eventually transitioning into senior living…

Dive into the exciting world of Airbnb in this podcast episode, where we uncover how Airbnb is changing the game in travel and leisure. We look into why Airbnb stands out, focusing on its new types of stays, high-end offerings, and how it uses artificial intelligence to tailor experiences just for you. The episode also highlights the huge interest …

This week, we're excited to revisit Kirk Peterson's episode. Kirk is the President at Sightline Hospitality and his journey in the hospitality industry, starting from his very first job in food and beverage at a country club to becoming an influential figure in the industry, is fascinating. Kirk discusses the critical role mentors played in his car…

Christopher Calabrese, the Vice President and General Manager of the JW Marriott Resort and Spa and Marriott Cancun, joins the Hospitality Mentor Podcast to share his career journey and insights about the hospitality industry. Christopher discusses his roots in hospitality, which began in his mother's kitchen, and his move to roles across the Unite…

Cole Boucher, the founder and president of Essential Hospitality, joins Steve today to share his journey in the hospitality industry. Cole's first job started in his family’s company, Boucher Brothers, on Miami beach at the age of 13, and since then he hasn’t stopped. He decided to leave college and start his business, Essential Hospitality, which …

In this office hours show, Steve is answering listener questions live from LinkedIn! Steve shares his process of becoming an entrepreneur in hospitality, gives advice for entrepreneurs wishing to enter the hospitality market, and shares strategies for selecting hotels when traveling. You'll also hear his advice for vendors on understanding each hot…

Nico Foris, CEO of Guest Services Inc, joins Steve in this episode to chat about his journey in the hospitality industry. Starting as a dishwasher at 12 years old, he progressed through various industries, including working as CFO for the Washington Commanders before landing his current role at Guest Services Inc. He shares his insights about the v…

In this episode, Steve is joined by Sarah Dandashy, a seasoned hospitality expert, best-selling author and travel personality. Sarah discusses her career evolution, starting as a hostess to becoming a renowned concierge at luxury hotels and eventually launching her own successful social media platform 'Ask a Concierge'. Sarah shares what she learne…

In this solo episode, Steve shares his experience from a family trip to Washington, DC, praising the excellent services at the Intercontinental Hotel at The Wharf. Steve also answers several listener questions on topics such as the impact of climate change on travel choices, emerging accommodations for digital nomads, evolving trends in air travel,…

This week, we're revisiting an all-time favorite episode with Thatcher Brown, Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Joint Yacht Operations at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Owner and Joint Operator of Four Seasons Yachts. Thatcher has extensive international hospitality and travel-related business experience from working in the U.S and Canada, Europe…

Happy New Year! Today, Steve is excited to share his interview with Said Haykal, the General Manager of Faena Hotel Miami Beach & District. This interview was the most downloaded episode of 2023 for The Hospitality Mentor podcast. Said is an experienced operations leader with a ultra-successful career of working in the luxury hospitality industry. …

In this episode, you will hear from Shawn Tarter - the founder of Realtime Reservation. Shawn describes how he went from working in the finance industry to hospitality, how he got the idea for Realtime Reservation the process of building the technology, why it's important to know about the tech that you represent, why hotels are late adopters to te…

Today, you will hear Steve Turk's guest appearance on the Behind the Stays podcast with host Zach Busekrus. Zach is the Co-Founder of Sponstayneous, a platform like Scott's Cheap Flights but for Airbnbs. Each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, Sponstayneous releases a carefully curated list of 150 of the best last-minute deals on Airbnb from Can…

In this episode, we explore the hospitality industry's latest trends and stories. Highlights include the grand opening of the Fontainebleau hotel, an $800K diamond ring found at the Ritz in Paris, and the latest online reputation rankings of hotel brands. We also preview Accor's 2024 hotel openings and discuss the emerging trend of 'surprise travel…

Welcome back to another solo show! In this episode, Steve is answer listener questions about hospitality from all around the country. First, Steve recaps Art Basel and how to create unique experiences around the holidays. You'll also hear his thoughts on spiritual tourism, how to tap into the local culture, the importance of backstories in building…