The Hospitality Mentor
by Steve Turk
Join me, Steve Turk, on the Hospitality Mentor podcast as we dive into the personal stories of some of the world's best Hospitality Professionals. We follow the journey of their ups, downs and wild turns and find out what it truly takes to make it in the amazing world of hospitality.
Episodes
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From Hotel Front Desk to CEO | Bryan Fish
Bryan Fish took a front desk job at Holiday Inn to save money for college. That job became a career that eventually led him to take over the company he worked for. In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor, Steve Turk sits down with Bryan, CEO and Managing Partner of Reliance Hospitality and host...
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Why Nathan Kaplan Left Real Estate to Build Grotto Baths
Nathan Kaplan left his family's real estate business to build something closer to the life he wanted to live. That decision led to Grotto Baths, a social bathhouse preparing to open in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood. In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, Steve Turk sits down with…
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What It Takes to Build a Luxury Resort | Michael Tibbetts
How do you build a luxury resort on an island most travelers have never visited? Michael Tibbetts shares the story behind Salterra in South Caicos and the decisions that made it possible. Michael is the founder and CEO of Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Before committing fully to...
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Melissa Blettner on Ancient Lore Village: Building a Fantasy Themed Boutique Resort with Hospitality Purpose
Host Steve Turk interviews Melissa Blettner, CEO of Boyd Hollow Resorts and Ancient Lore Village in Knoxville, Tennessee. Melissa explains founder Tom Boyd’s book inspired mission to create a fantasy village where only good exists and guests leave happier, kinder, and friendlier. She shares her...
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Josef Forstmayr on Building Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica into a Timeless Luxury Resort
Host Steve Turk introduces Josef Forstmayr, managing director of Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica. Forstmayr shares growing up working in his parents’ Austrian farm restaurant, attending hotel school in Salzburg, and arriving in Jamaica in 1979 as a German tutor before quickly becoming an...
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Miami Beach Hotels, Brightline Train to Orlando, Disney Travel Tips + Baya Miami & The Hospitality Power Breakfast
In this “random show” episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, Steve Turk shares a multi-generational Miami Beach staycation at the Marriott Stanton South Beach, highlighting the South of Fifth location, Michelin star-winning The Den inside Azabu, and strong beach service and guest…
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The Random Show: Soggy Dollar Bar Lessons, Florida Stays, and the Hospitality Power Breakfast
In a solo “random show” episode, Steve shares recent travel experiences and hospitality takeaways. He recaps six weeks of travel from HITEC in San Antonio to San Francisco with the Baya team, a visit to One Thread Farm, scouting land in Desert Hot Springs, and a last-minute trip to St. John in…
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Mario Del Duca on Growing Nuba in the Americas, Luxury Travel, and Why Relationships Matter More Than AI
Host Steve Turk interviews Mario Del Duca, Managing Director of Nuba, a 30+ year-old luxury travel company focused on high end outbound leisure that expanded into the Americas via acquisitions in Mexico and Miami. Mario oversees the Americas and says the business has nearly tripled under his...
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Nikheel Advani on Building Grace Bay Resorts: Mentorship, Luxury Service, and Branded Residences in Turks and Caicos
Host Steve Turk interviews Nikheel Advani , co-founder and COO of Grace Bay Resorts, who shares how he entered hospitality at 16 after his father pushed him to work, leading to dishwashing, banqueting, and founding a small events company in Singapore. He trained at UMass Amherst, worked in...
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Live from HITEC San Antonio: Hospitality Creator Summit Highlights, Content Strategy, and Tech Trends
Live from HITEC in San Antonio, the Steve Turk and Sarah Dandashy recap the inaugural Hospitality Creator Summit, created by Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri, which drew 200+ attendees for a full day of networking and creator-focused education. Sara shares first impressions of the high-energy...
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From Nightlife to Wellness: Milan Mijatovic on Building SILA Miami
Host Steve Turk interviews Milan Mijatovic, founder of SILA Miami. Milan explains SILA as a social wellness club in Upper Buena Vista featuring longevity services (float tank, hyperbaric oxygen, lymphatic suit, red light therapy, bioscan/bodywork), outdoor classes (yoga, Pilates, functional...
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Larry Korman on Building AKA Hotel Residences, Intentional Hospitality, and Scaling Service Driven Living
Host Steve Turk welcomes Larry Korman, co-CEO of Korman Communities and president of AKA Hotel Residences, to discuss his lifelong path in hospitality and residential real estate, from childhood work in the family business to leading a five-generation legacy. Korman explains how his father’s...
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Chef David Burke: From Dishwasher to NYC Three-Star Chef, and his Restaurant Empire
Host Steve Turk revisits an archived Hospitality Mentor Podcast episode featuring award-winning chef and restaurateur David Burke, who shares his path from dishwasher at a Sheraton to culinary school, Europe, and major New York kitchens. Burke recounts being mentored by a country club chef named...
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Raul Leal on Building a Hospitality Career: From Miami Dishwasher to CEO of Starwood Hotels
Host Steve Turk introduces an archived 2022 Hospitality Mentor Podcast episode featuring Raul Leal, then CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts (now CEO of Starwood). Leal recounts starting at Miami’s Everglades Hotel working with his Cuban-immigrant father, setting early goals to become a GM, and…
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Elizabeth Mullins on Building Luxury at Scale: From Ritz Carlton and Disney to Evermore Hospitality
Host Steve Turk welcomes Elizabeth Mullins, President of Evermore Hospitality, who shares her start as a server at New Hampshire’s Lobster Shack and her first hotel role as a Ritz-Carlton Boston management trainee after earning hospitality and business degrees. Mullins recounts being inspired by…
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Oakwell Beer Spa Founders Jessica & Damien Zouaoui on Building a Social Wellness Day Spa
Host Steve Turk interviews Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, founders of Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, a social wellness concept combining a craft beer and wine self-pour taproom with four private spa suites featuring infrared saunas, rain showers, and hydrotherapy tubs infused with hops, malt, and…
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Tim Major CEO of Operto on AI Agents, Direct Bookings, and the Future of Hotel Technology
Host Steve Turk welcomes Tim Major, CEO of Operto, to discuss how AI is reshaping hospitality through “agentic teammates” designed role by role to assist or replace specific hotel tasks. Tim shares his path from early hospitality exposure as a Volkswagen tour guide in Vancouver/Whistler to…
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Adam Tuttle on Yipy, Four Seasons, and Building a Hospitality Standards Management System
Host Steve Turk welcomes listeners to The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, brought to you by sponsors Lodgify and Biscayne Coffee, He interviews Adam Tuttle, co-founder of Yipy, described as the industry’s first hospitality standards management system that centralizes hotel standards by role, adds...
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Inside the Conrad Orlando at Evermore with GM Sean McCarron on Opening, Service Culture & Forbes Awards
Host Steve Turk welcomes Sean McCarron, General Manager of Conrad Orlando at Evermore, to discuss Sean’s path through luxury hospitality and what it takes to lead and open award-winning resorts. Sean shares how he entered hospitality through a Ritz-Carlton management trainee program at Pentagon...
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From PBX Operator to Hotel General Manager: Alexander Kandalaft's Luxury Hospitality Journey
In this exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk sits down with Alexander Kandalaft, the General Manager of the Intercontinental Seattle Bellevue. Discover how this all-in-one platform, Lodgify, can help short-term rental hosts and hospitality operators stay organized....
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From Front Desk to CEO: The Remarkable Journey of Deniz Dorbek
Join our host Steve Turk as we explore the dynamic and inspiring career journey of Deniz Dorbek, the founder of the Regulus Collective, in this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast. Starting from her first job as a front desk agent in Istanbul, Deniz narrates her ascent through various roles...
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Exploring the Journey of a Top Hospitality Entrepreneur with Francesco Balli
Join us on an exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast as host Steve Turk dives into the incredible journey of Francesco Balli, co-CEO of Grove Bay Hospitality Group. Discover the unique paths that led Francesco and his partner from being CPAs to successful restaurateurs, the challenges...
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Unlocking the Secrets of Hospitality with Adam Sperling General Manager of The Charles Hotel
Join host Steve Turk in this exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast as we sit down with Adam Sperling, the General Manager of the iconic Charles Hotel in Cambridge's Harvard Square. From starting as a front desk agent to leading one of the most admired independent hotels, Adam shares...
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Darragh McGillicuddy on Shaping Hospitality Leadership
Join Steve Turk on The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, where he delves into the career journey of Darragh McGillicuddy, founder of McGillicuddy Hospitality. Discover insights from Darragh's leadership roles in renowned organizations like Ritz-Carlton and Royal Caribbean, as well as his transition…
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Discovering Craft Lodging: An Inside Look with Select Registry CEO Mark Reichle
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, Steve Turk welcomes Mark Reichle, CEO of Select Registry. They discuss the distinct qualities of Select Registry, including its focus on independently-owned inns, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels, all adhering to a high standard of quality...
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The Journey of Anand and Nina: Building a Dream B&B in Walla Walla
In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk chats with Anand and Nina, owners of the Barn B&B in Walla Walla, Washington. They share their inspiring journey from their extensive careers in the hospitality industry to fulfilling their dream of creating a unique luxury B&B.…
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Announcing BAYA: A Tropical Landscape Resort Experience in South Florida
In this special episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk reveals an exciting new project he's been working on for the past two years, BAYA. Previously envisioned as a glamping site, the project has evolved into a breathtaking landscape resort called BAYA, located in South…
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From Adventure Travel to Hotel Management: Amanda Arling's Journey in Hospitality
From Adventure Travel to Hotel Management: Amanda Arling's Journey in Hospitality In this episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Amanda Arling, the president of The Whalers Inn in Mystic, Connecticut. Amanda shares her unique career path from studying microbiology…
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Opening Multiple Award-Winning Restaurants: The Journey of BCB3 Hospitality
Join Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he delves into the inspiring story of BCB3 Hospitality, a dynamic partnership between Babak Bina, Andy Cartin, and Jamie Bissonnette. In this episode, they share their unique paths into the hospitality industry, the challenges and successes of...
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Brett Friedman on Building A Global Events Empire
Join host Steve Turk on the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he dives into the inspiring journey of Brett Friedman, founder of A21. Discover the stories behind Brett's rise in the hospitality industry, from humble beginnings as a pizza delivery guy to leading one of the largest culinary events...
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The Unique Culinary Journey of Chef Ji Hye Kim
Welcome to the Hospitality Mentor Podcast! In this episode, host Steve Turk interviews Ji Hye Kim, the chef-owner of Miss Kim Korean Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ji Hye shares her unconventional journey from being an economics and political science student at the University of Michigan to...
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Building a Leading Hospitality Web Design Agency with Eli Pritykin
Welcome to another exciting episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio, a leading company specializing in creating high-converting websites for hospitality companies. Eli shares his incredible journey from working…
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A Journey from Disney to Founding MDA Hospitality Solutions with Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez
In this exciting episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast, we sit down with Mary D’Argenis-Fernandez , President and Founder of MDA Hospitality Solutions. Mary shares her incredible journey from starting her hospitality career at Walt Disney World at 16 to now celebrating 10 years of success…
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From Humble Beginnings to Culinary Stardom: Chef Angelo Sosa's Journey
Join us in this inspiring episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast as we welcome Chef Angelo Sosa, the Executive Chef of Kembara, Tia Carmen, and Carmocha. Chef Angelo shares his remarkable journey from his first job at a retirement home in Middletown, Connecticut, to becoming a successful chef...
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Journey from Ice Cream Scooper to Culinary Director: Gerald Chin's Rise in Hospitality
Check out Steve Turk's new book, Hospitality Unlocked: Advice, Strategies, and Insider Secrets from 75 of the World’s Top Hospitality Leaders, available now on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8JC16xJ. In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Gerald Chin, Head of…
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Preview My New Book: Hospitality Unlocked
In this special episode of The Hospitality Mentor, I’m sharing a sneak peek of my new book, Hospitality Unlocked: Advice, Strategies, and Insider Secrets from 75 of the World’s Top Hospitality Leaders. Join me as I read the preface, offering a glimpse into the stories, lessons, and strategies…
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How Steve Palmer Built The Indigo Road Hospitality Group: From Dishwasher to Hospitality Mogul
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Steve Palmer, founder of the Indigo Road Hospitality Group. Palmer shares his journey from washing dishes at 13 to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author. He discusses his passion for hospitality, the importance…
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From Accounts Payable to General Manager: Winston Smith's Inspiring Journey at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Winston Smith, General Manager of The Standard Spa, Miami Beach. Winston shares his incredible journey from starting in accounts payable to becoming GM, discussing his early career, transition from finance, and personal...
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From Dream to Reality: Bill and Holly Bembenek's Unique Wine Trolley Adventure!
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Bill and Holly Bembenek, founders of the Temecula Wine Trolley and Wine Tours. They discuss their unique business venture, detailing its inception, the challenges faced, and the exciting growth they have experienced.…
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From Houseman to Founder: Bryan Tubaugh's Inspiring Journey in Hospitality
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Bryan Tubaugh, the founder of Aligned Hospitality Management. Brian shares his unique journey starting from his early days growing up in a hospitality family to founding his own management company. He discusses the...
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Journey Through the Culinary World: Executive Chef Rebecca Tillman's Inspiring Story
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…
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From College Bartender to CEO: Michael Friedman's Journey in Hospitality
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...
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Exploring Hospitality Development with Steve Galbreath
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…
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Curiosity-Driven Success: Fernando Rojas’ Journey In Hospitality
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Fernando Rojas, partner of Agency BE. Fernando shares his unique journey from his early passion for banking in Ecuador to his flourishing career in the hospitality and events industry. He discusses his adventurous move…
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Journey of Success and Resilience in Hospitality with Cesar Wurm
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk sits down with Cesar Wurm, Vice President of Commercial, Premium Brands for IHG® Hotels & Resorts and an accomplished author. Cesar shares his unique journey from an overnight room service assistant in Sao Paulo to a key figure in...
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The Serafina Story: Vittorio Assaf's Journey in Hospitality
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Vittorio Assaf, founder of the Serafina Group. Vittorio shares his journey from Italian stockbroker to celebrated restaurateur, recounting his early beginnings in 1986 with an investment from Andy Warhol, to the…
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The Rise of Pickleball in Hospitality with Scott Colebourne
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Scott Colebourne, the founder of PICKLESTARS. Scott shares his unconventional journey from growing up in rural New Zealand, where he developed a passion for tennis, to becoming the CEO of Cliff Drysdale Management and…
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Crafting Culture: Insights from James Ferguson of Wurzak Hotel Group
In this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk welcomes back James Ferguson, the Corporate Director of Culture for the Wurzak Hotel Group, for his second appearance on the show. They discuss James' inspiring journey in hospitality, from starting at the front desk to writing…
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Building a Nature-Focused Hospitality Brand: Eric D. Moeller of Freewyld
in this episode of the Hospitality Mentor Podcast, host Steve Turk interviews Eric D. Moeller, founder and CEO of Freewyld, a boutique hospitality brand specializing in design-forward cabins located in nature-rich destinations. Eric shares his unique journey from a construction and real estate...
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From Radio Personality to CEO: Vanessa James' Inspiring Journey in Media and Events
Join Steve Turk on this captivating episode of The Hospitality Mentor Podcast as he sits down with Vanessa James, CEO and founder of VJ Media, and the visionary behind Food, Wine and Fete. Vanessa shares her incredible journey from aspiring sports broadcaster to becoming a dynamic force in the...
About this show
Join me, Steve Turk, on the Hospitality Mentor podcast as we dive into the personal stories of some of the world's best Hospitality Professionals. We follow the journey of their ups, downs and wild turns and find out what it truly takes to make it in the amazing world of hospitality.
Hosted by
Steve Turk