The Hospitality Mentor

In this episode, Steve is joined by Andrea Foster. Currently the Senior Vice President of Development at Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Andrea knew she wanted to build a successful career in hospitality at the young age of 14 years old. Throughout this conversation, you will hear where Andrea's love for the industry began, her experience going to Cornell - a top school for hospitality, what she lear...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Patrick Goddard. Throughout his successful career in hospitality, Patrick has worked in hotel development and operations for Hilton Hotels, Loews Hotels and Rosewood Hotels. He was also a successful hospitality entrepreneur. Today, Patrick is the President of Brightline Trains, where he is responsible for the company’s multi-billion-dollar intercity passenger ra...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Kenroy Herbert. Kenroy is the President and Founder of Leviticus Lifestyle & Travel, where he and his team provide one-of-a-kind luxury experiences for vacationers on the island of Anguilla. He also leads the seven-member Board of Directors that oversees the global operations of the Anguilla Tourist Board where he is responsible for promoting the island’s ex...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Phillipe Roederer. Phillipe's career focus has primarily been luxury wine, spirits, and bottled water. He has recently pivoted and is now building success as a brand consultant. Phillipe's former roles include CEO of VOSS Water, Eastern Division Manager of Clicquot Inc, VP Sales and Marketing Americas of Mumm - Perrier Jouet Champagne, just to name a few. Since...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Matt Dinkel. Matt is currently the General Manager at the award winning Mandolin Aegean Bistro in Miami. One of the hottest restaurants in the country. Matt has also worked in a number of different areas of hospitality. Some of Matt's former roles include General Manager at Mignonette, Restaurant Manager at STARR Restaurants, Director Of Food And Beverage at The...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Patrick Fisher, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. From being captain of the LSU football team back in college to landing top positions in the hospitality industry, Patrick is a natural leader that we can all learn from. In this conversation, Patrick talks about his impressive roles he has had throughout his hospitality car...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Santi Rodriguez, the General Manager for Nobu Hospitality. Throughout his career in hospitality working in impressive former roles as Worldwide Corporate Director at Nobu Restaurant, Director Of Operations at Mr. Chow Enterprises, and more, Santi has traveled the world, pursued his own entrepreneurial endeavors, and made a name for himself. In this conversation,...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Carlos Garcia, the General Manager at Sonesta Miami Airport. A hotelier at heart, Carlos' former roles include Hotel Manager at Intercontinental San Juan, Director Of Food And Beverage at Dreams Palm Beach, and a variety of positions during his 6 years at Hotel Intercontinental Miami. In this conversation, Carlos talks about how he went from being a bellboy to a...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Chef Gordon Maybury, the Director of Culinary at the JW Marriot Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. Chef Gordon is an incredible creative culinary professional with more than 30 years of progressive, worldwide experience in the Hospitality industry. Some of Chef Gordon's former roles include Executive Chef at The Arizona Biltmore, Executive Chef at PGA National Re...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Amy Johnson. Amy is currently the General Manager at The Confidante Hotel in Miami Beach and member of Hyatt’s Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Throughout her career, Amy has gained incredible hotel experience with former roles as the General Manager for the Hyatt Regency Calgary, Corporate Director of Field Operations at The Americas Hyatt Hotels...

In this episode, Steve is joined by James Ferguson. James is an award-winning Hotel General Manager with years of experience in effectively leading and managing hotel operations. He recently published his book, The Confetti Culture Playbook, an inspiring book that he wrote for hotel managers who are looking to build a strong company culture. James is also a principal consultant at Confetti Culture...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Peter Ricci. After years of working in leading industry roles including being the GM at major brands of Hilton, Holiday Inn, Best Western, and Ramada, Peter transitioned over to the academic side of hospitality. Today, Peter is the Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the nationally ranked Hospitality & Tourism Management Program at Florida Atlantic...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Ron Green. Ron is the Founder & Chief Entertainment Officer at EntertainmentResource.net , connecting hospitality venues with the right entertainment that fits their brand and elevates their events. Throughout this conversation, Ron talks about his impressive hospitality journey that led him to DJ-ing on a cruise ship, helping to curate Jimmy Buffett's Marga...

In this episode, Steve is joined by long time friend and former colleague Frederic Delaire. Originally from France, Frederic is currently the Executive Chef at the JW Marriot Marquis Miami but he has had quite the unique journey to become the renowned chef he is today. Throughout this conversation, Frederic talks about his background learning from top chefs in Europe, what led him to moving to the...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Stephanie Leger. Stephanie is the Chief Excellence Officer at First Rate Hospitality where she leads various hospitality projects such as pre-opening planning, company transitions, evaluating properties incognito, training associates to drive guest engagement, and more. Throughout this conversation, Stephanie talks about her various roles within the Ritz-Carlton...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Wil Slickers. Wil is the CEO & Founder of Hospitality. FM , a podcast network, and also the Co-Founder & COO of Recreation Rentals. If you're looking for new podcasts to listen and learn from, Hospitality. FM has a wide range of shows that cover every corner of the wonderful industry of hospitality. Wil hosts two podcasts within Hospitality. FM - Slick T...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Victoria Taylor, an Experience & Experiential Consultant. Victoria is passionate about creating stand-out guest experiences in the hospitality and luxury industries. She combines research, buying behavior data, marketing, creativity, and her storytelling expertise to cultivate a desire to experience and buy from hospitality and luxury brands. Victoria has wo...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Loni Paige, the CEO of Mixology Mixer & Loni Paige Events. When the global pandemic began two years ago, Loni's event planning business was put on hold and Mixology Mixer was born, providing cocktail kits and Zoom mixology classes for at-home happy hours. Today, both Mixology Mixer and Loni Paige Events are thriving and influencing the hospitality industry....

In this episode, Steve is joined by Chef Allen Susser, the James Beard Award Winner. Chef Allen has been called the "Ponce De Leon of New Florida Cooking" by The New York Times and Food & Wine Magazine named Chef Allen "One of the Best 10 Chefs in America." Throughout this conversation, Allen talks about the his time at culinary school in Paris, working at Le Cirque in New York, opening up Che...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Buzzy Sklar, the CEO at Tropical Distillers. After owning clothing, restaurant, and bar businesses, Buzzy saw a need in the liquor industry for true mango and citrus flavors, inspiring him to launch Tropical Distillers. After successfully landing Tropical Distillers on the shelves across the state of Florida, Buzzy and his team are now building Miami's first dis...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Zack Bush. Zack is the co-owner of Ball & Chain, a historic live-music venue on Miami’s famed street Calle Ocho, in Little Havana. Zack and his team renovated and restored the historical gem, famous for hosting 20th century jazz greats, and brought it back to life as a successful music venue today. Zack is also the co-owner of Mad Room Hospitality, Taquerias...

In this episode, Steve is joined by long time mentor, Paul Breslin. After working for over 20 years as an executive for top rated luxury hotel management companies, Paul is now the Managing Director at Horwath HTL. He is now works with developers and owners to turn real estate opportunities into successful hospitality companies. Throughout this episode, Paul talks about the many roles he held thro...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Ben Potts, Partner at Unfiltered Hospitality. Ben is one of the top bartenders in the country, a cocktail connoisseur, and an expert in fine spirits. With his newest venture, Unfiltered Hospitality, Ben and his team provide world-class cocktail consulting, management coaching, and brand strategy in the beverage industry. Throughout this episode, Ben talks about...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Brian Proctor, the Founder & CEO of the Leeds Hospitality Group. Brian has over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry working and managing hotels for some of the world's top companies and brands. Now with his own company, Leeds Hospitality Group, Brian works with clients on Asset Management, General Hospitality Consulting, New Builds & Trans...

In this episode, Steve is joined by Gabriel Constantin, the Managing Director at Trump International Hotel & Tower. Gabriel's drive, motivation, and willingness to seize opportunities that come his way have been the foundation to his success in the hospitality industry. Throughout this episode, Gabriel talks about his hospitality journey from washing dishes to becoming the Managing Director at...