Sundip Patel is the founder and CEO of AVANA Companies, a financial services firm managing over $1 billion in assets. Born in Zambia and raised in the U.S., Sundip’s journey from CPA to impact-focused entrepreneur is rooted in resilience and purpose. Susan and Sundip talk about lessons in financing, failure, and forging a better future through hotel lending, job creation, and financial education for girls. What You'll Hear About: 🏨 What exactly a "capital stack" is and why it matters. 💸 The di...
Aug 12, 2025•37 min•Ep. 204
Shanté Micah is a seasoned storyteller and strategic PR pro who launched her career covering the Olympics before earning her master's from Syracuse and pivoting into brand strategy. With global experience and clients like Disney and ESPN under her belt, she’s now the founder of Good News, a consultancy redefining media outreach. Susan and Shanté talk about personalized pitching, press release pitfalls, and purposeful PR for hospitality brands. 📰 From Olympic glory to Israeli boardrooms—Shanté’s...
Aug 05, 2025•39 min•Ep. 203
Liz Dahlager is the Chief Operating Officer and a partner at Mereté Hotel Management, a hotel management company based in Oregon. With roots in boutique hospitality at Kimpton Hotels, Liz has climbed the career ladder from area director of sales to Chief Operating Officer. Susan and Liz talk about culture, career pivots, and crafting local guest experiences. Episode Highlights 🎯 Why a solid vision can disarm even the most skeptical peers 🕵️♀️ The gamble that (literally) involved chasing cash ...
Jul 29, 2025•45 min•Ep. 202
Kim DiMarco is a veteran textile executive and the founder of Somato Textiles, a brand reimagining hospitality fabrics through creativity, sustainability, and heart. With over 30 years of global industry experience, Kim brings a rare mix of business acumen and design passion to every swatch she touches. Susan and Kim talk about pattern psychology, people-first operations, and planet-friendly practices. What You'll Learn About: How Kim hustled her way into the textile industry by volunteering in ...
Jul 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 201
It’s the 200th episode, and who better to celebrate with than the show’s most frequent flyer—literally—Cat Meek! Restaurateur, sommelier, real estate investor, travel advisor, and Susan’s sister, Cat shares the hilariously chaotic and wanderlust-filled story of her “adult gap year.” From a surprise St. Croix slideshow pitch to mimosa-fueled airport lounge reviews, it’s a memory-loaded milestone you don’t want to miss. What You’ll Learn About: ✈️ How a missed seasonal business contract turned int...
Jul 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 200
Chuck Kelley is a seasoned hotelier who’s done it all—from F&B to executive leadership across the globe. Now a partner at Cayuga Hospitality Consultants, he helps independent hotels tackle their trickiest challenges. Susan and Chuck talk about career pivots, consulting pitfalls, and crispy critters. 🦂 From busboy to big boss—how Chuck climbed the hospitality ladder. 🦂 The sideways move that changed his whole career (and wasn’t supposed to happen). 🦂 Why independent hotels need more help t...
Jul 08, 2025•24 min•Ep. 199
In this second batch of HITEC interviews, Susan invites a new group of hotel tech leaders into the Top Floor recording booth to deliver their best Elevator Pitches—and a few unforgettable stories. From AI-powered concierges to spa booking solutions and a piano-playing manager who couldn’t play piano, this episode blends industry insight with plenty of personality. Plus, you’ll find out exactly how a monkey became part of a hotel’s guest communication demo. Featured guests: James Hansen, Vice Pre...
Jul 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 198
In this special HITEC edition of Top Floor, we’re riding the elevator with hospitality tech leaders who know how to make a pitch. From PMS platforms to AI concierges, we cover real-world tools and real-life chaos, including fainting coworkers, bat encounters, and nightclub drama. Whether you're here for the insights or the insanity, this episode delivers both! Featured in Part One: David Fox with Quore Mark Lewis-Brown with Zucchetti North America Estella Hale with Zucchetti North America Christ...
Jun 24, 2025•33 min•Ep. 197
Mahendra Doshi is a journalist, historian, and author who came to the U.S. from India in 1967 with just $8 and a dream. From working in Nevada casinos to launching a trailblazing Indian newspaper, he chronicled immigrant stories long before they were trending. Susan and Mahendra talk about his latest book, Surat to San Francisco , which uncovers the incredible rise of Patel hoteliers in America. What You'll Learn in This Episode 🧑🌾 Why one surname dominates the U.S. hotel industry—and what it...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 196
Guise Bule spent nearly two decades in tech and cybersecurity before pivoting to hospitality, where his personal experience as a frequent traveler and dog owner inspired a new mission. He founded Roch Dog, a certification agency that applies objective data to evaluate hotels for their dog-friendliness. Susan and Guise talk about standards, service, and shifting expectations in the world of pet travel. What You'll Learn About: 🐶 How hotel pet policies often mislead travelers 🐶 Why a data-driven...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min•Ep. 195
Chris Tripoli is a veteran restaurateur, consultant, and podcast host with decades of hospitality experience under his belt. From teenage busboy to industry sage, he's seen it all—launching concepts, advising entrepreneurs, and mentoring the next generation. Susan and Chris talk about hospitality, hiring, and hitting the bullseye with your brand. What You'll Learn About 🍽️ The #1 mistake restaurant owners make. 🧃 The secret to balancing fast, frictionless service with personalized hospitality....
Jun 03, 2025•42 min•Ep. 194
Scott Roby is a lifelong hotel enthusiast whose love for hospitality began during childhood stays at the Ritz Carlton. After studying at Cornell’s Hotel School and cutting his teeth in revenue management at Hilton, Scott co-founded Evolution Hospitality and is now president of Pacifica Hotels. Susan and Scott talk about operations, owner alignment, and offbeat inspiration. What You'll Learn About: 🌺 How Hawaiian resorts sparked a hospitality career 🏢 Big-brand tools vs. startup scrappiness 🚫 ...
May 27, 2025•35 min•Ep. 193
Shelley Brown is a keynote speaker, artist, and former hospitality pro who has built a career by challenging the status quo with heart and humor. After decades navigating buttoned-up boardrooms and high-stakes sales, she ditched the script to help leaders embrace imperfection, foster belonging, and lead like actual humans. Susan and Shelley talk about legacy, leadership, and the Dead. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🎤 The surprising first step to becoming a paid speaker 🪞 How self-awareness...
May 20, 2025•25 min•Ep. 192
Sarah Moss is the Chief of Staff at Hunter Hotel Advisors, where she’s the operational glue behind both the firm and its booming hotel investment conference. A hospitality lifer, she started as a maitre d’ and worked her way through college before joining Hunter full-time, pausing only briefly to crunch numbers at Coca-Cola. Susan and Sarah talk about growth, grit, and good data. 💡 Learn why saying “yes” to the jobs no one wants can be the ultimate power move in hospitality. 🏗️ Hear how Sarah ...
May 13, 2025•22 min•Ep. 191
Donte Johnson is a hospitality veteran with a 20+ year career of transforming hotel experiences through cultural integration and community connection. Now GM at Thompson Atlanta Buckhead, he’s known for blending operational excellence with authentic local engagement. Jason Bass is a serial entrepreneur turned hotel innovator, bringing his background in fashion, spirits, and tech to a new role as Director of Culture and Impact. Together, they co-authored The Impact Hospitality Handbook , diving i...
May 06, 2025•55 min•Ep. 190
Adrian Balcan is the founder of Feed Check, a platform that helps hospitality businesses decode customer feedback and outshine the competition. With a brain wired for both economics and engineering, he started his company straight out of university, pivoting from tech reviews to the tasty world of hospitality insights. Susan and Adrian talk about fake reviews, feedback-fueled fixes, and futuristic formats. 🔍 What the signs are that a hotel review is fake. 📊 How reading competitors can sharpen ...
Apr 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 189
Renee Rubens is the founder of Symphony of Leaves, a luxury tea company rooted in ethical sourcing and sensory sophistication. After decades in global media sales, she followed her passion for tea into a new venture that blends her business savvy with botanical elegance. In this episode, she dishes on premium pu-erh, purposeful partnerships, and proper preparation. What you'll learn about: ✨ Why tea bags are basically dust in a disguise (and what to sip instead) 🍵 How a Brit’s sass and a global...
Apr 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 188
Michael Blank is a hospitality veteran who’s worked every angle of the hotel biz—from slinging room keys at the Willard in D.C. to steering multimillion-dollar acquisitions. Now the Principal of Woodmont Lodging, he owns and asset-manages properties across the U.S., with a soft spot for extended stay. Susan and Michael talk about counterintuitive takes on the hotel industry. What You’ll Learn About: 🚮 Pick Up Club! Why picking up hallway trash speaks volumes 🏩 The extended stay segment decoded...
Apr 15, 2025•34 min•Ep. 187
Mike Mumford is the General Manager of Brand g Vacations, a leading luxury travel company serving the LGBTQ+ community. After a long career in corporate finance and tech, Mike traded spreadsheets for sunsets, turning his passion for travel into a full-time gig. Susan and Mike talk about career pivots, curated group experiences, and the power of packing light. 🌏 Why cotton candy, corn on the cob, and a theme park mentor helped spark Mike’s global travel bug 🌏 How a post-pandemic sabbatical turn...
Apr 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 186
Episode Summary: Steve Fortunato never planned to make hospitality his life’s work—until he realized it was embedded in his DNA. After starting roomforty, an innovative catering company designed to deliver restaurant-quality experiences anywhere, he went on to open Fig House, a sought-after event venue. Steve's book, The Urgent Recovery of Hospitality [please bold and italicize the title], looks at relationships through the lens of hospitality and explores how generosity can restore civility. Su...
Apr 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 185
Lan Elliott’s career spans the highest levels of hotel real estate, from acquisitions at Starwood to asset management at IHG. Now, as the co-founder of Acacia Holdings, a champion for women in hospitality through Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, and a podcast host on It's Personal Stories, she’s on a mission to create more opportunities in leadership and investment. Susan and Lan talk about career pivots, negotiation power moves, and the myth that there aren’t enough women speakers in h...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 184
Sloan Dean climbed the hospitality ranks from revenue management to the CEO of Remington Hospitality in 2020, steering the company through a global crisis while leading massive expansion. With a background in engineering and finance, he brings a strategic yet people-first approach to hotel management, emphasizing leadership, innovation, and the importance of knowing "a little about a lot." Susan and Sloan talk about prioritization, transformation, and why Gen Z isn't lazy. Episode Highlights: 🛁...
Mar 18, 2025•44 min•Ep. 183
Born in Korea and adopted by Japanese American parents in Seattle, Shari Leid knows what it means to search for belonging. A former litigator who reinvented herself as a life coach and author, she set out on a life-changing journey to all 50 states, meeting 50 women along the way. Susan and Shari talk about fostering friendships, flipping perspectives, and fueling fearless connection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✈️ The unexpected way Shari’s solo journey across America reshaped her view o...
Mar 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 182
With 20 years in hospitality, Tommy Beyer has done it all—from parking cars to managing multimillion-dollar assets. After 16 years with Newport Hospitality, he co-founded a private REIT and launched B Hospitality Advisors, where he helps hotel owners maximize their investments. From finance to future trends to finding hidden revenue, Tommy knows how to make hotels work smarter, not harder. Susan and Tommy talk about why the brand explosion might be making things worse and how small revenue tweak...
Mar 04, 2025•34 min•Ep. 181
Janet Irizarry has spent 30+ years in the restaurant industry, from owning multiple eateries to teaching at the Culinary Institute of America. Now, she’s on a mission to help families reduce food waste through her innovative My Mindful Kitchen method. Susan and Janet talk about sustainability, smart shopping, and stress-free meal planning. What You'll Learn About: 🥬 Spring mix struggles! Susan confesses to an ongoing battle with Costco-sized salad greens—Janet delivers a reality check on what “...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 180
James Ferguson started his hospitality career at the front desk and worked his way up through operations and leadership roles. Now, as Director of Culture at Wurzak Hotel Group, he focuses on employee experience and engagement with the goal of making workplace culture his company’s strongest asset. He’s also the author of The Confetti Culture Playbook , a guide to building high-performing teams through recognition, reward, and real connection. Susan and James talk about cool titles and crazy wed...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min•Ep. 179
Mathew Focht is a pioneer in blending data-driven strategies with hospitality innovation. With a career spanning engineering, real estate development, and investments, he co-founded Consolidated Concepts, the largest group purchasing organization in the U.S., before launching Emerging Fund, a platform designed to scale tech-enabled concepts in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. What You'll Learn About: What really makes a location perfect for a restaurant? How Mathew’s love for data and ...
Feb 11, 2025•32 min•Ep. 178
Alicia Zur-Szpiro is a trailblazer in creative industries, blending her background in game design with her passion for hospitality. Co-founder of Wonderland London, she helps hotels craft engaging, memorable experiences for families, backed by the insights from the company's pioneering "Kids and Teens Hospitality Report." Alicia’s expertise spans innovation, family dynamics, and hospitality trends, with a focus on playful practicality and untapped potential. What You'll Learn About: From board g...
Feb 04, 2025•29 min•Ep. 177
Ryan Fitzgerald started his career as a saxophonist, faking his way onto a cruise ship gig and eventually becoming a cruise director. He transitioned to corporate roles with Carnival and Princess Cruises, managing brand partnerships and global entertainment. Now, as Executive VP of Sea Production at RWS Global, Ryan combines innovation, immersion, and improvisation to deliver world-class experiences across 40+ ships. Susan and Ryan talk about music, mentorship, and maritime magic. What You'll Le...
Jan 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 176
Micajah Sturdivant is the third-generation leader of MMI Hospitality Group, a hospitality company managing hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, and more across the Southeast. With roots in the foundational days of Holiday Inn, Micajah champions innovation in the ever-changing lodging industry. Susan and Micajah talk about embracing soft brands, fostering "psychological income," and blending tradition with modern business acumen. What You'll Learn: How Micajah’s grandfather partnered with the Holiday...
Jan 21, 2025•42 min•Ep. 175
