Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast

In this spirited episode, Wil welcomes his friend Connor Cushman. Connor dives into his transformative journey from a successful career at LinkedIn to becoming a self-employed short-term rental entrepreneur. Sharing insights from their first meeting, they explore the significance of making connections and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Connor reveals his background, motivations, and the chall...

In this episode of Slick Talk, we dive deep with Isaac French, the visionary behind Live Oak Lake. We explore his journey from a hesitant outreach to a successful exit. Isaac shares valuable lessons on being proactive and taking action, detailing his unique story of growing up in a large family and his early ventures in business and art. Discover how Isaac combined his diverse skills to create a o...

In this episode of Slick Talk, we chat with Nick, co-founder of Glampitec North America and Posh Outdoors. Nick shares his incredible journey from studying law at the University of Manchester to diving into the world of glamping. We discuss the rise of glamping during the COVID-19 boom, the challenges and successes of launching Glampitec in North America, and the new ventures with Posh Outdoors. N...

In this episode, recorded at the VRMA Executive Summit in Boca Raton, Wil Slickers interviews Robin Craigen, a frequent guest and friend of the podcast. They discuss the evolution and rebranding of Robin's company, Moving Mountains, and its expansion into Moving Oceans, focusing on curating exceptional guest experiences. Robin shares insights on business pivots, the importance of adaptability, and...

Join Wil Slickers and an expert panel of property managers and industry professionals as they discuss efficient operations, upsell strategies, and scalable business models in the hospitality industry. Recorded during Operto's first online conference, Operate, the panel shares valuable insights on optimizing operations, enhancing guest experiences, and balancing revenue management. Key topics inclu...

In this episode, Wil Slickers sits down with Jake Wurzak, an expert in hotel real estate and capital investment, to discuss the intersection of operations and capital in the hospitality industry. Jake shares his journey from working in various roles in his dad's hotel company to mastering the capital side, offering valuable insights into building a successful hotel investment portfolio. They dive...

Join Wil Slickers as he engages in a fascinating discussion with Doug Truitt, Head of Commercial at Roami. In this episode, Doug delves into his extensive career in the hospitality industry, highlighting the evolution of technology, the challenges of API integration, and the importance of channel management. The conversation also touches on how venture capital influences the industry. Filled with...

This episode features an intriguing discussion with John Lyotier, the founder of TravelAI.com. The conversation dives into the origins and entrepreneurial journey of John, from his early days as a child entrepreneur in the dot com era to his venture into startups, focusing on the intersection of marketing and technology. The narrative unfolds to reveal TravelAI's recent acquisition of the domain C...

This episode of Slick Talk features Andrew Kitchell, Founder and CEO of Wheelhouse, discussing the evolving technology landscape in the vacation rental industry. For his fifth appearance on the show, Kitchell and Wil Slickers delve into the significant growth of technological solutions aimed at improving property management. They highlight Wheelhouse and Operto's creation of a comprehensive report...

This podcast episode delves into the world of entrepreneurship, focusing on the realm of short-term rentals and property management. Fouad Bazzi shares his journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, touching on the challenges and strategies of growing a business with an intention to sell, tackling work-life balance, and the importance of building relationships. His story, from starting a...

In this engaging podcast episode, Mike Reilly, the COO of STR Secrets, shares his personal journey from overcoming kidney disease and leaving a demanding corporate job at Google to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the short-term rental (STR) industry. Mike discusses the importance of not trading time for money, building a team, and automating business processes through an effective tech stack...

In this unique episode of Slick Talk, host Wil Slickers takes to the skies to interview Sean and Landon Wilkinson, Co-Founders of Hostshare. Recorded on a plane, this episode delves into the founders' personal journeys, the birth of Hostshare, and its vision to revolutionize the short-term rental industry by enabling hosts to share unbooked nights with each other. The conversation covers the chall...

In this episode of Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast, Wil Slickers welcomes Meaghan Moylan to discuss the journey and future of her podcast, Workflows & Espressos under the Hospitality. FM Podcast Network. They engage in a jovial conversation about the podcast's creation, its unique approach to not featuring interviews, and the intimate connection it fosters with its listeners through candid and...

In this episode of Slick Talk, Wil Slickers sits down with Sam Dundas, the Co-Founder of Besty AI, to explore the evolving role of AI in the hospitality industry. Delving into personal stories, Sam shares his journey from his initial interest in hospitality to the founding of Besty AI. He discusses the impact of AI on operations, guest messaging, and upselling, emphasizing the goal of giving time...

This podcast episode features a returning guest, Catherine Ratcliffe, who has significantly grown since her last appearance, transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to managing four properties and now organizing her own event, CanStays.  The discussion highlights the differences in short-term rental regulations and operations between Canada and the United States, underscoring the unique challenges and opp...

Join us for an insightful roundtable discussion on "The Hotel Product Landscape" featuring CTOs from Mews, Josef Starýchfojtů, and Sensible Weather's Alice Fuller. In this podcast, we delve into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in hotel technology. Our esteemed guests will share their expertise, providing deep insights into the evolving landscape of hotel products and the impact of t...

In this episode, the founder of Sensible Weather, Nick Cavanaugh, discusses the inception and development of the company, a climate data and FinTech entity offering a unique product called Weather Guarantee. Designed to compensate travelers financially and outdoor event attendees affected by adverse weather conditions automatically and instantly, this concept evolved from the founder's blend of ac...

In this round table discussion, industry leaders discuss the future of unique stays and outdoor experiences. The participants include Ben Wolff from Onera, Jeremy Wells from the Ozarker, Michael Goldin from Nook Experiences, and Sangeetha, a hotelier with experience at IHG. The discussion covers various topics like brand design, the importance of a 'media first' approach, and navigating market sat...

In this podcast episode, Jake Pontius, Co-Founder of Nook Experiences, shares his journey from beer brewing to hospitality entrepreneurship. He talks about the difference between a hard brand and a soft brand, the communal aspect of hospitality, and the importance of unique stays in glamping or outdoor resorts. Jake gives an insight into the process Nook Experiences takes in vetting properties, th...

In this podcast, Nils Mattisson, co-founder of Minut, returns to talk about the importance of product hardware and software harmonizing with each other and how excellent software is crucial when building hardware. He also discusses the importance of feature design and roadmaps and sheds light on the changes and trends in the industry, including increased scrutiny and demand for ROI from tech. Touc...

This roundtable conversation engages CEOs of the hospitality tech industry: Demi Horvat from AirDNA, Steve Davis from Operto, Matthew Loney from Xplorie, and David Weiss from Whimstay. They delve into the intricacies of the industry, discussing topics such as the pros and cons of round table podcast formats, the concept of a hired gun in the industry, comparing founder-led companies and CEO-led fi...

In this episode, host Wil Slickers engages in a compelling conversation with Mike Brockway, a seasoned property owner and operator in Denver, Colorado. Mike discusses his journey from corporate job holder to real estate investor, property manager, and short-term rental guru. He delves into the dynamics of his operations, his unique utilization of technology, and his constant learning and adaptatio...

In this exciting episode, host Wil Slickers invites Steve Trover, the Founder of Better Talent, for a deep-dive conversation into the vacation rental industry. They discuss the importance of having the right people in the right roles, focusing more on product development, and the resiliency of the industry through various crises. Steve shares his insights on market trends and predictions for 2024,...

In this bonus solo episode, Wil shares four key lessons he's learned about entrepreneurial success: the importance of persisting longer than others, the value of always learning and trying to master the craft, the victory found in detailed preparation, and the idea of suffering in the details for greater success. He encourages listeners to apply these ideas, not just in business but across all are...

In this engaging episode of 'Slick Talk: The Hospitality Podcast', industry experts share insightful predictions for the hospitality sector in 2024. The discussion covers an anticipated emergence of hospitality podcasts, potential structural modifications within businesses, sustainable practices, and growth opportunities. Specific sectors like short-term rentals and urban operators are also explor...