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 overcame, and the wisdom she gained from her mentors. This episode is packed with insights into what it takes to succeed in the dynamic world of hospitality.

00:00 Introduction to the Hospitality Mentor Podcast

00:35 Meet Executive Chef Rebecca Tillman

00:50 Rebecca's First Job in Hospitality

02:12 High School Years and Early Leadership

03:44 College and Culinary School Journey

08:53 First Job at Arizona Biltmore

15:25 Moving to North Carolina and the Biltmore Estate

23:50 Generations of Memories

24:02 Special Events and Honored Guests

24:28 Legacy and Challenges

25:35 Career Moves and New Opportunities

27:29 Leadership and Growth

32:20 Returning to Arizona

33:11 Joining Hilton and Corporate Travels

35:03 The Phoenician Experience

40:33 Transition to Ritz Carlton

47:51 Advice to Young Rebecca

49:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

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 importance of guest experience, and leveraging educational resources for professional growth. They also touch on Michael’s recent implementation of the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS) at Simple Life and his vision for future expansion.

00:00 Introduction to the Hospitality Mentor Podcast

00:37 Meet Michael Friedman: CEO of Simple Life Hospitality

01:28 Michael's First Job in Hospitality

03:33 From Real Estate to Hospitality Consulting

05:20 The Evolution of Short-Term Rentals

09:03 Transition to Luxury Simplified

10:10 The Birth of Vacation Rental University

18:12 Experience with One Fine Stay

23:45 Refocusing Targeting for Success

24:06 Lessons from New York's Hospitality Scene

24:19 Creating Exceptional Guest Experiences

25:27 Selective Homeowner Partnerships

26:28 Transition to Simple Life Hospitality

28:38 Implementing EOS for Growth

32:42 Strategic Market Expansion

36:34 Advice for Aspiring Property Managers

43:27 The Importance of Hospitality Hooks

44:37 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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 universities develop convention centers and hotels.

The conversation also covers his first hospitality project in the Bahamas, the importance of good design, and how he navigated the transition from architecture to development. Steve shares his thoughts on working with city governments, the economic impact of hotel projects, and offers advice to young professionals about taking risks and enjoying their career journey. This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone interested in hospitality development, city planning, and architecture.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:46 Overview of Garfield Public Private LLC

02:28 Steve's First Job in Hospitality

04:12 Early Career and Transition to Architecture

06:09 Challenges and Lessons in Architecture

07:27 Journey into Hotel Projects

09:40 Career Growth and Opportunities

17:13 Joining Garfield and New Beginnings

24:35 Current Trends and Future Prospects

27:21 The Importance of Convention Hotels

30:30 Challenges in the Hospitality Industry

34:12 Designing for Comfort and Convenience

38:24 Exploring New Hospitality Trends

49:39 Advice for Aspiring Developers

54:41 Final Thoughts and Farewell