Hey Hospitality Hero, here’s your Friday Five:

A quote from this week’s podcast that resonated with audiences is, “your fortune is your follow-up.” What this means to me is that our relationships are gold—not monetarily necessarily, but instead in the richness of what each of our life experiences can bring to each interaction. I believe this deep connection happens with every encounter and re-encounter, allowing us to get just below or deeper than the surface layer of interaction. On that note, I’m incredibly excited to reconnect and meet new, amazing people at the ILC Indie Confab in Asheville, NC, next week. See you soon!

The Friday Five

1. This Week's Feature: The phrase “Your fortune is your follow-up” came from none other than Ashli Johnson, the founder of “Hospitality Hued.” I called her to have lunch between meetings in DC a week or two ago, only to find out that I missed the memo that she’s going all-in on delivering Hospitality Hued’s mission to accelerate the “ascension for Black & Brown hospitality leaders” in our industry. She’s one of my top hospitality heroes for making a difference in our industry. Maybe I’m old-school, but I love a good old-fashioned phone call.

2. Memory Lane: As we prepare for the ILC Indie Confab in Ashevelle next week, it’s a perfect time to reflect on my conversation with Andrew Benioff, founder of the Independent Lodging Congress. Andrew shared profound insights on the importance of community and connection within the hospitality industry. I deeply admire his vision for creating a collaborative environment where industry leaders can share ideas and inspire each other. Check out episode #14 with Andrew here:

3. A Dash of Inspiration: A couple of weeks ago, I reached out to fellow entrepreneurs Jan and Sonja van der Hagen, former colleagues at DEDON, and asked, “What are the odds you’ll be in Ibiza next week?” The odds were quite good, and we met for a fabulous lunch with them and two-thirds of our kids. During our visit, I discovered the fantastic book they created, “Made In Ibiza.” This beautifully crafted book showcases the unique blend of native and international creativity that defines Ibiza. It highlights the island’s rich craftsmanship, art, and design history, far beyond its reputation for nightlife and beaches. “Made In Ibiza” is a testament to the vibrant, artistic community that thrives on the island, capturing the essence of its creative spirit. If you’re looking for inspiration, I highly recommend checking it out. I bought my copy when I returned stateside - too late for them to sign it…all the more reason for a trip back.

4. Journey Shorteners: I met Keith Ferrazzi many years ago at a conference. At the time, he was promoting his new book, “Never Eat Alone.” I devoured the book, and it had a profound impact on me; apart from giving me a nervous complex every time I find myself alone at meal times while on the road, it showed me the immense power of breaking bread with others. This resonated deeply with me because, in my view, relationships are EVERYTHING. “Never Eat Alone” emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections and how these relationships can significantly influence our personal and professional lives. It’s a worthy read and belongs on your bookshelf.

5. Upcoming Industry Events: Below is a list of exciting industry events where we can connect, learn, and grow together. Let's continue to build our hive and support one another on this incredible journey!

Have a wonderful weekend - and reach out to someone you might have not spoken to or connected with in a while.

Naturally,

Dan Ryan