The Travel Leader – Details, episodes & analysis

Summary

In this episode of the Travel Leader Podcast, Eunice Perez shares her inspiring journey in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the importance of helping others, resilience in the face of challenges, and the balance between leadership and empathy. She discusses her experiences as a single mother, the values that guide her leadership style, and her desire to empower others. Eunice reflects on her accomplishments, the self-doubt she has faced, and her vision for the future, which includes inspiring others through public speaking and mentorship.

Highlights

• Eunice's passion lies in helping others succeed in the hospitality industry.

• Resilience is built through overcoming challenges and self-doubt.

• Leadership requires a balance of warmth and decisiveness.

• Motherhood has shaped Eunice's approach to work-life balance.

• Integrity and kindness are core values in Eunice's leadership style.

• Eunice aims to inspire and empower others, especially women and single mothers.

• Building trust with team members is essential for effective leadership.

• Eunice believes in leading by example and being hands-on.

• Self-doubt is a common experience, but support from others can help overcome it.

• Living in gratitude is a key part of Eunice's philosophy.

Sound Bites

"You have to stand tall and speak up."

"I want to prove you wrong."

"Title does not make us better than anybody."

"I want to see people go further."

"Live in gratitude all the time."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:59 The Red Thread of Hospitality

06:09 Resilience Through Challenges

08:53 Leadership Traits and Approachability

11:59 Balancing Leadership and Empathy

14:58 The Role of Motherhood in Leadership

17:52 Values and Integrity in Leadership

20:59 Inspiration and Motivation

24:05 Empowering Others

27:05 Pride in Accomplishments

29:49 Overcoming Self-Doubt

33:02 Key Leadership Skills

36:08 Vision for the Future

https://www.linkedin.com/in/euniceperez9876/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Summary

In this episode of the Travel Leader Podcast, host Rachel Vandenberg interviews Davonne Reaves, founder and CEO of The Vonne Group. They discuss Davonne's journey in hospitality and hotel investment, the importance of branding, her leadership style, and the significance of building trust and integrity in business. She shares her experiences with imposter syndrome, her sources of inspiration, and the pressure of being a role model. She emphasizes the importance of setting high standards, being transparent, and the responsibility she feels to uplift others in her community. The conversation concludes with Davonne's vision for the future and her desire to create a nonprofit to help others achieve their goals.

Highlights

• Personal branding has been important to her success

• Transparency and honesty are key leadership traits.

• Setting high standards is essential in business.

• Inspiration can come from personal experiences and community.

• Being a role model carries pressure but is rewarding.

• Pride in personal growth is important for self-esteem.

• It's okay to prioritize self-care and personal needs.

• Legacy and impact on future generations are vital goals.

00:00 Introduction and Inspiration

03:50 The Importance of Brand Identity

07:50 Leadership and How Davonne is Perceived

13:06 Standards and Accountability

18:32 Challenges and Triumphs in Male-Dominated Industries

21:01 The Responsibility of Having a Seat at the Table

23:20 Purpose-Driven Branding and Empowerment

24:50 Finding Inspiration and Motivation

32:36 Faith and Letting Go of Control

38:08 Prioritizing Yourself and Managing Stress

40:53 Creating a Vision for a Positive Legacy

42:47 Being Proud of Your Accomplishments

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davonnereaves/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Highlights: -Finding your voice -Intentional communication/ speaking up -Balance in leadership -Feedback culture -Creating connections, clarity and authenticity -Role models and standards of behavior -Imposter syndrome, growth, learning Jason shares his journey of finding his voice and how it has shaped his career in the restaurant industry. He emphasizes the importance of intentional communication and speaking up for oneself and the team. Jason also discusses the significance of balance in leadership and the need to surround oneself with people who compliment their weaknesses. He highlights the role of feedback and creating a culture of learning and improvement. At his core, Jason sees himself as a bridge, connecting ideas and making meaningful connections. In this conversation, discusses the importance of clarity, connection, and authenticity in leadership. He also highlights the impact of role models and the power of standards and values. We also dive into imposter syndrome and the need to embrace growth and learning. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Recognition 02:14 Connecting with the Hospitality Industry 02:45 Finding His Voice in the Hospitality Industry 05:22 The Importance of Speaking Up and Balancing Leadership 09:43 Jason's Leadership Style and Strengths 14:42 Recognizing Weaknesses and Creating a Feedback Culture 24:53 Jason Brooks: A Bridge Connecting Ideas and Making Connections 25:55 Introduction and Background 26:48 The Influence of Role Models 28:15 The Importance of Standards and Values 32:22 Embracing Growth and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 35:58 The Impact of Coaching in the Hospitality Industry 45:33 Vision for Coaching in the Hospitality Industry 47:04 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

A first-generation immigrant to the United States from Nicaragua, Karen Kühl has 35 years of rich and varying experience in the tourism industry. Though she now serves as the Executive Director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, she got her start in the industry as a young adult—working in hostess, bartender, and front desk agent positions. From there, she climbed her way to the top as an extension of her natural leadership skills. She took on roles as a restaurant manager and resort manager, started her own agritourism tour operator, and so on until she found herself where she stands today. 

Here in Cayuga County, she has been instrumental in implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, both in and out of the office. Under her leadership, the Cayuga County Office of Tourism has reached the Certified By Travel Union (CBTU) Level One designation and is now actively working toward pursuing the level two category by improving its internal DEI policies and procedures. Additionally, she has been instrumental in positioning Cayuga County as an epicenter of Black and activist history, embracing Harriet Tubman’s legacy in Auburn and the roots of the Underground Railroad in the area.  

Karen Kühl is an example not only of a strong Latinx leader in the tourism industry, but also of an individual with a staunch commitment to making her destination a safe and welcoming place for visitors and residents alike. 

_____________________________________________________________ The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Jacob Messina, the CEO of Stayntouch, is a seasoned leader with a profound understanding of technology's critical role in the hospitality sector. Before taking the reins at Stayntouch, he served as the Senior Vice President of Technology & Innovation at MCR Hotels, where he oversaw technology for a portfolio of 150 hotels. With over a decade of experience at Loews Hotels & Co., his expertise spans hotel technology, distribution, and digital transformation. Jacob's unique blend of hotel and tech knowledge positions him as a dynamic force propelling Stayntouch's innovation in the hospitality industry, all with a strong commitment to the customer experience. 

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Dorothy Dowling, ISHC is a seasoned management consultant and growth advisor, with Horwath HTL with over 40 years of experience in the global hospitality industry. As the former Global Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Sales at Best Western, she excelled at shaping marketing and commercial strategies. Dowling actively contributes to HSMAI and is a special advisor to the HSMAI Foundation Board. Her industry leadership earned her prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards from HSMAI, the NYU Investment Conference, and GBTA. She holds an Honours BA and MA from the University of Waterloo, completed executive programs at Harvard and MIT, and holds postgraduate certifications in D&I and ESG from Cornell. Dowling is also a public trustee at CubeSmart (NYSE:CUBE), the third largest Storage REIT, and is Director-certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothydowling/

https://global.hsmai.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HSMAI-Foundation-State-of-Talent-2024.pdf

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Stephanie Sparks Smith, CHDM is CEO and Digital Matriarch at Cogwheel Marketing TM️ and partner and consultant at Cayuga Hospitality Consultants. Her agency focuses on helping hotel owners and management companies drive incremental exposure and revenue to their websites and online channels through hotel digital marketing and advertising. The expertise of Cogwheel Marketing is knowing the intricacies of the branded hotel systems and understanding where brand marketing stops and hotel level marketing begins. Cogwheel Analytics TM️ , developed by Cogwheel Marketing, is a hotel digital marketing reporting and BI tool that aggregates data from multiple sources to allow companies to identify trends and opportunities in their online presence.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-sparks-smith/

Resources mentioned in the episode:

The Energy Bus https://jongordon.com/book/the-energy-bus/

The Big Leap https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level-ebook/dp/B0026772QU

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

As a graduate student deeply interested in hospitality, Krystal Qi is honored to contribute to the advancement of the hospitality industry. In her role as the program coordinator for corporate engagement at the University of South Carolina, Krystal facilitates connections and supports industry initiatives with humility and dedication. Leveraging her background in hotel operations, Krystal is committed to continuous learning and growth. With a focus on excellence and integrity, she navigates the complexities of the field diligently. Krystal eagerly embraces oportunities to explore new strategies and trends, striving to make a positive impact in the hospitality industry. Krystal is currently part of She Has A Deal, and has served as a student ambassador for ALIS three times. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiming-krystal-qi-40042a194/

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Allie joined the Uncommon Hospitality team in 2020 after relocating to Maine from Australia. She looks after the brand, voice, and identity of each hotel in the portfolio and creates strategic marketing plans to drive new guest acquisition, retention, engagement, and lifetime value. Allie utilizes a variety of tactics to introduce guests to the hotels and ensure they return again and again—she is an expert in digital marketing, social media, influencer management, local partnerships, and more. Allie attended American University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Technology in Sydney, studied abroad in Rome, and completed online courses from Harvard Business School and Cornell University. She lives in South Portland with her husband, Ciaran.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-meyer/

The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.

Traveling through young adulthood with an intense fascination with maps and cartography in general, a career in land use management and geography seemed like a natural fit. Upon graduation from Clark University during the peak of the "Great Recession", like most other millennials, Paul refocused from his dream job towards something that would pay the bills. That lead him to the travel industry, specifically, a travel broker, where we channeled his past experiences and knowledge of the world to help aspiring globetrotters optimize their travel routes. His ability to merge logistical efficiency with intercultural communication and an understanding of diverse regions led him to pivot to a digital marketing role, and the boutique hotel management field. As Migis Hotel Group's Director of Digital Marketing & Sales, Paul directs all revenue management and marketing strategies, focused on combining only the best of corporate practices and expertise with the traditions and legacy of quintessential New England innkeeping.

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The Travel Leader is brought to you by The Travel Leader Coach, a content and coaching platform founded by Executive Leadership Coach, Rachel Vandenberg. Learn more at www.thetravelleadercoach.com.