Our guest this week is someone who is committed to elevating communities and creating wealth through hospitality ownership and leadership. Please welcome to the show, Founder of Hospitality Hued, Ashli Johnson!

Ashli sits down with Host Dan Ryan to discuss the ways the hospitality industry can be more accommodating of Black and Brown professionals. Ashli shares her motivations for founding Hospitality Hued, the importance of early professional development, and how to instill a sense of ownership in employees.

Takeaways: 

• While hospitality is ultimately a business of service, it is rapidly evolving to better address DEI issues across employment, supplier diversity, and leadership. To remain impactful, those in the industry must actively engage in these conversations.
• Conferences and networking are a crucial part of success in the hospitality industry, yet many Black and Brown leaders find themselves “under conferenced”. To combat this, HUED was created to lower barriers to these opportunities for Black and Brown leaders.
• Leverage alumni networks to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical career development. Don't overlook the importance of having a strategic approach when pursuing career goals to avoid potential disadvantages and seize growth opportunities.
• To motivate teams to think like owners, consider actually giving them ownership stakes, as it fundamentally changes their understanding and investment in the business. Implementing an equity share model can drive engagement from general managers.
• In hospitality, it's crucial to understand how positive guest experiences impact the business's overall success and competitive position. Recognizing the connection between guest satisfaction and business metrics such as rates, market competition, and capital expenditures is essential for professional growth and effective management.
• Aspiring hotel or restaurant owners should carefully consider their financial and personal responsibilities before pursuing ownership. Instead of direct ownership, roles such as investor or franchisee have lower capital requirements and barriers to entry.
• Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who want to master the business, and ensure that your leadership is aware of your interests to help you move towards your desired career path.

Quote of the Show:

• “Your fortune is found in the follow up.” - Ashli Johnson

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsashlijohnson/ 
• Website: https://www.hospitalityhued.com/ 

Shout Outs:

• 2:12 - HD Vegas: https://hdexpo.hospitalitydesign.com/ 
• 2:47 - Howard University: https://howard.edu/ 
• 2:50 - Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership: https://business.howard.edu/hospitality-leadership 
• 44:52 - John Fareed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfareed/ 
• 45:06 - From Invisible to Icon: How to Become a Known Expert in Your Industry: https://a.co/d/03AZNsoL 
• 45:41 - Julien Saunders: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliensaunders/ 
• 45:42 - Kiersten Saunders
• 45:47 - Rich and Regular: https://richandregular.com/ 
• 46:36 - Thomas Penny III: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-penny-iii-1aa40915/ 
• 46:42 - Damon Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hauspitality/overlay/about-this-profile/ 
• 46:45 - Jason Bass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncbass/ 
• 47:01 - ILC: https://ilcongress.com/ 
• 47:15 - Kendra Plummer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendraplummer/ 
• 47:37 - Bashar Wali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/ 
• 47:56 - Lauren A. K. Darnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenadarnell/ 

Ways to Tune In: 

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1s
• Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419