E42 Say Yes to the Mess: Turning the Worst into a Hospitality Powerhouse with Mark Irgang

In this unforgettable episode of The Yes Show, Christine sits down with hospitality veteran Mark Irgang, whose journey reads like a movie script. He went from the iconic Marriott Marquis to a bottom-ranking Courtyard hotel—located across the street from a prison. But instead of saying no, Mark leaned in and transformed a failing property into one of the top 75 in the brand.He'll reveal what it’s really like to go from full service to select—and back again—plus what full-service leaders often overlook about their select service peers.From vacuuming around guests’ feet to handing out Nutri-Grain bars in the rain, Mark’s radical, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership model shows what happens when humility, hustle, and heart collide.🔑 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS-Mark got promoted… on his honeymoon! But what happened next was even wilder.-How he went from managing 50+ leaders to 3—and made it work.-The "Obsessed with Cleanliness" mindset that boosted cleanliness scores by 30 points.-The check-in strategy that had guests yelling “Freeze! What is going on here?!”-Why he handed out breakfast bars in the pouring rain—and how it changed his entire staff.-The ripple effect of showing up first and showing up hard.-From 254th out of 259 to top 75 in Courtyard rankings—and recognized by Bill Marriott himself!-The yes that led to musicals, marathons, and a whole new friend group.✅ 3 ACTION ITEMS- Lead from the Lot – Want to change your culture? Show up where no one else will. Lead first.- Reimagine the Basics – Cleanliness, check-in speed, and friendliness aren’t “just metrics.” They’re make-or-break moments.- Do What Makes You Uncomfortable – If you’re not embarrassed by your level of service, you’re probably not doing enough to stand out.Connect with Mark Irgang:📍Instagram Profile - https://www.instagram.com/mirgang/📍Facebook Profile - https://www.facebook.com/mrirgang📍LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-irgang-a248716/Connect with Christine:📍Website - https://www.thewisepineapple.com/📍Linkedin profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-trippi-56105311📍Insta link - https://www.instagram.com/the_wise_pineapple/📍YouTube Link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU7LZGz1ZsveweIvpCIkrfQ/📍Join our FREE Facebook group of hoteliers - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/wDiuSA1RbSGqqtJH/📍2/10/25 - 2/21 Doors are open! Join the Crown Society! https://www.thewisepineapple.com/crown