Who knew that a job delivering papers as a young boy would lead to an entrepreneurial career in the world of sales, revenue, and hospitality?

Today's podcast guest is Jeff Michael, the Chief Revenue Officer of Quorum Hotels and Resorts.

The discussion traces Jeff's career journey, starting from his fascination with hotels as a child to his impressive rise in the hospitality industry.

Jeff shares stories of his early experiences in planning family trips and delivering newspapers, which instilled a strong work ethic and an early interest in business. He highlights the importance of being authentic, building relationships, and embracing challenges.

He also discusses the significance of mentors, being humble in leadership, and leveraging AI to create efficiencies. Now, as a key leader at Quorum Hotels, Jeff continues to apply these principles to drive success and growth.

Key takeaways include the value of authenticity, the role of mentorship, and the power of being proactive and tenacious. Connect with Jeff Michael here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmichaelcha/

More about Quorum Hospitality here:

https://www.quorumhospitality.com/

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Friends for over 20 years. Business partners for almost as long. Using music, performance, and the expressive arts to heal not only themselves but over 450 families per week.

Kim Tapper and Tom Sweitzer have created a non-profit https://aplacetobeva.org based in Northern, VA "where everyone is accepted for their humanity, not defined solely by their challenges. "

My son and I attended their holiday show last month. Imagine seeing a young client, using her feet to strum a guitar to contribute to a song, while many of her other limbs wouldn't function as well. Imagine the pride of parents and locals, seeing a child "twirl" on stage to receive loads of applause. Not necessarily about the skill, but rather from the effort.

This is what I learned from them, from their heartfelt efforts, and from their contributions to helping others

FIND AWE:

1. Power of Empathy in Arts: Both Kim and Tom emphasized the transformative power of the arts, used empathetically. They highlighted how artistic expression can provide therapeutic benefits, not just entertainment, stressing the importance of humanity and compassion in creative fields.

2. Collaborative Impact: Their story of meeting and forming a powerful professional partnership due to shared life philosophies and empathetic approaches is a testament to the impact of collaboration. This underscores the value of finding like-minded individuals who share your vision and values to create meaningful projects.

3. Resilience and Personal Challenges: Both speakers shared deeply personal stories of overcoming adversity and using their experiences to fuel their work. This teaches the value of resilience and using one’s personal journey as a catalyst for helping others, highlighting that personal struggles can lead to profound professional and philanthropic contributions.

4. Community and Inclusion: The work at A Place to Be is a strong example of building community and fostering inclusion through the arts. They create a space where everyone, regardless of ability, can contribute and feel valued. This can inspire listeners to seek or create similar inclusive environments in their own communities.

5. Therapeutic Power of Self-Expression: The episode illustrates the healing power of self-expression through music, dance, and performance, encouraging listeners to explore these avenues for personal growth and healing. Whether it's through professional therapy or personal exploration, engaging in expressive arts can be a powerful tool for emotional well-being.

This episode is being sponsored by:

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To kick off 2025, our first podcast guest of the year is Hugh Roth. He is a fellow Pittsburgher and Penn Stater, who has accomplished so much in his personal and professional life.

He is currently, Senior Vice President at PepsiCo.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-roth-5037538/

We discuss his upbringing in Pittsburgh, his career trajectory through major companies like American Express and Coca-Cola, and his philosophy on leadership and kindness in the workplace.

Roth emphasizes the value of authenticity, team cohesion, and the importance of going the extra mile in both personal and professional contexts. He also reflects on the impact of family and mentors on his career.

Thank you to this episodes sponsor:

Merch Madness Group

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Major learnings from today's podcast that you can apply: 1. The Importance of Grit and Resilience

Hugh shared his upbringing in a hardworking environment, his father's entrepreneurial spirit, and the impact of experiencing both wealth and bankruptcy. These experiences taught him the value of grit, agility, and learning from mistakes, shaping his approach to leadership and life.

2. Team-Oriented Leadership and Empathy

Hugh emphasized the significance of teamwork and helping people reach their potential. He highlighted the importance of understanding individuals’ goals and aspirations—both personally and professionally—to foster a culture of empathy and collaboration.

3. Adaptability in Career Choices

Hugh discussed his decision to transition from hospitality operations to supplier roles to prioritize work-life balance and family. This pivot demonstrates the need for adaptability and aligning career paths with personal values and priorities.

4. The Power of Going the Extra Mile

Hugh stressed that successful people and leaders consistently "go the extra mile," whether through making an additional sales call, writing a handwritten note, or showing unexpected kindness. This principle applies both personally and professionally.

5. Authenticity and Kindness in Leadership

Hugh believes in the value of being genuine and caring. He underscored the importance of authentic leadership that focuses on connecting with others, listening to their needs, and making decisions that positively impact them. He linked this approach to the evolving expectations in hospitality and sales, advocating for “real people serving real people.”