Podcast Episode Summary:

Guest: Jimmy Vetrano – Founder & CEO of 2626 Digital | Co-Owner of Sushi Hall Chicago

Location: Chicago, IL

Fun Fact: Jimmy launched his full-scale digital agency after leaving a high-stress political post and now runs both a growing agency and a top-rated sushi restaurant.

🔑 Greatest Learnings & Takeaways:

1. Make a Splash—Don’t Stay Still

“Most people don’t… make a splash. But YOU should.”

Jimmy's message is about standing out. Whether it's launching a new business, speaking up in a corporate environment, or delivering small acts of kindness—don’t just blend in. Be bold. Make waves.

2. Notice. Anticipate. Overdeliver.

“I notice what people need—even when they don’t say it—and I help them get there.”

This theme ran through his stories—from his leadership at Kraft Heinz to how he runs 2626 Digital. His secret weapon? Deep empathy, combined with technical know-how. That’s a rare (and powerful) combo.

3. Great Culture Starts With Great Humans

Whether it’s at Sushi Hall or 2626 Digital, Jimmy creates workplaces where people want to stay. Why? He values his team, listens, and leads with kindness. Chef Mitch and the Sushi Hall team are remembered more for how they make people feel than for the ingredients (though the sushi’s top-tier too!).

4. Do Your Part, Like the Hummingbird

“The hummingbird brought water to a forest fire—because doing something matters.”

Jimmy embodies this philosophy. He doesn’t wait for others to act. He contributes, uplifts, and helps—without expecting anything in return. That mindset not only drives business success but changes lives.

5. Relationships > Résumés

“The emotional hesitation is the real objection.”

Jimmy nailed it: people buy from who they trust. Whether selling sushi or social strategy, the emotional connection always wins. He gets to know clients, their pain points, their goals—and meets them where they are.

💬 Standout Quotes:

“I want to leave people better than I found them.”

“You can’t protect your team if you’re not in the room—so play the game, but don’t lose yourself.”

“You couldn’t do that.” — On respecting and recognizing frontline hospitality workers.

“I’ve always had an eye for opportunity—sometimes before others even see it.”

🧠 Business Takeaways for Listeners:

Leaders: Your integrity matters more than your title.

Marketers: Don't just chase metrics—create meaning.

Entrepreneurs: You don’t need the perfect name. You need the perfect effort.

Everyone: Helping someone—without needing anything back—is its own reward.

More about https://2626digital.com

More about https://sushihallchicago.com/

Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn: (1) James Vetrano | LinkedIn

#180 Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Work Hard. Care Even Harder. The John Harper Blueprint
Guest: John Harper, Co-Founder & President, Global Hotel Advisors
Host: Bart Berkey, Founder of Most People Don’t, LLC

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Bart reconnects with longtime friend and hospitality icon John Harper—a man whose leadership legacy stretches from early Hyatt days to key executive roles at The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott International, and now, as co-founder of Global Hotel Advisors.

The conversation dives into the heart of what makes a leader truly respected: humility, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and a relentless drive to serve others. John shares not only leadership tactics but life lessons—from his father's immigrant story to coaching soccer, mentoring teams, and making the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship with purpose.

1. Be the person who clears off someone else’s windshield.

   
   – A snowstorm story from the early Hyatt days becomes a defining example of unprompted kindness and servant leadership.

   
   

2. Work hard. Care harder.
   – John’s drive came from his father’s example: hustle paired with the ability to “turn it off” and be present with family. It's about intensity matched with balance.

   
   

3. Great leaders adapt to their team—not just expect the team to adapt to them.
   – Success comes from meeting people where they are and building trust, not commanding compliance.

   
   

4. Leadership is earned, not assigned.
   – Titles don’t make people follow you. Trust, protection, and empowerment do.

   
   

5. Operational excellence requires curiosity.
   – John’s secret to growing was listening deeply—even in meetings where his own role wasn’t central. Every detail, even chillers and boiler redundancy, became useful knowledge later.

   
   

6. Push for the piano.
   – A wild idea to put a pianist at the Reagan airport gate taught John the importance of creating moments of luxury—and of not giving up too soon on big ideas.

   
   

7. Sometimes, the boldest career move is the personal one.
   – Leaving Marriott wasn’t driven by dissatisfaction—it was about personal alignment, balance, and doing what he always dreamed of.

   
   

8. Service excellence starts with culture.
   – No matter the building, brand, or design, it’s the people who make the guest write the thank-you letter. Invest in them.

   
   

“Most people don’t take advantage of what’s happening around them. But if you stay curious, if you observe, you can grow faster than you ever imagined.”

More about https://globalhoteladvisors.com

Connect with John Harper here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-harper-8571804/Additional stories about PEOPLE THAT DO... https://mostpeopledont.com

Bart responds to a powerful question he hears all the time:

“How do we remember how we felt after the keynote, the workshop, the kickoff? How do we keep that energy alive after we go back to our day-to-day?”

🔑 Key Takeaways & Reminders:

Close Some Windows: Literally and figuratively. Simplify your focus. Stop trying to juggle everything all at once. Presence matters.

Find Your Water Bottle Word:

What’s a single word (or short phrase) that reminds you why you care so deeply? What inspires your hustle, your heart, your hard work? Write it down. Look at it. Carry it with you.

Your Phone Wallpaper = Your Why:

That beach scene? The photo of your dog? Your family? That image is your anchor. Let it ground you.

Breathe. Pat Yourself on the Back.

Stop stabbing yourself with self-doubt. Pause. Reflect. You’re doing better than you think.

Lead by Example:

Even if the board or leadership doesn’t “get” kindness, you do. Show it. Live it. Elevate others with it.

Recognition is a Strategy:

No formal program? Create one. Bart shares examples like the “Mountaineer Award” or “Incline Award” to celebrate acts of goodness. Use your existing standups or pre-shifts to highlight human moments.

The Ritz-Carlton Story:

Early in his Ritz-Carlton days, Bart let fear keep him silent when a housekeeper greeted him warmly. He reflects on that moment as a reminder to always show up authentically—even imperfectly. Better to say something than nothing.

Kind Over Right – In Action:

A real-life airport story reminds us: it’s not always easy to be kind when systems fail us. But it’s still worth striving for—especially when we’re stressed.

Keep the Momentum Going:

Don’t just leave the inspiration behind when you leave the session. Revisit your notes. Reflect on your feelings. Share the stories. Remember that you have the power to spread this ripple effect.

👊 Final Thought:

“You’re surrounded by people who want to do good. They’re thirsty to hear great things. Share it. Celebrate it. And don’t forget the feeling you have right now—because it matters to you.”

💬 “Keep doing what most people don’t.”