Check-In with Bryan

From selling candy in grade school to running the #1 rated hostel in North America, investor Michael Russell shares how hustle, timing, and creative thinking turned risk into a multimillion-dollar hospitality portfolio.

What you’ll learn:
•How the Great Recession became his once-in-a-lifetime buy-in opportunity.
•The leap from vacation rentals → boutique hospitality investing.
•Inside the creation of Hakuna Matata Hostel—from $800K to a $5.2M appraisal.
•The business math behind hostels: “Sell the bed, not the room.”
•Building community-driven experiences that outperform luxury stays.
•How Malama Capital scales boutique hospitality assets with heart and ROI.
•The mindset shift: leverage partnerships, hire experts, and grow intentionally.

About the Guest:
Michael Russell is the co-founder of Milana Capital and co-host of The Hotel Investor Playbook. With 20+ years in hospitality and real estate, he’s redefining what “investing in experiences” really means.

If you’re passionate about hospitality, entrepreneurship, and real-world investing—subscribe and follow along every Tuesday for new episodes of Check-In with Bryan.

Also, dont forget to check out The Hotel Investor Playbook to hear more from  Michael!

Disclaimer:
All opinions are for educational purposes only and not investment advice.

#HospitalityInvesting #HotelBusiness #RealEstate #CheckInWithBryan #TravelIndustry

From brand standards and PIPs to boutique independence, designer Tonya Almallah Schmitt shares how to deliver ROI without losing soul—plus why scent, sound, and “memory points” matter more than spec sheets.

What you’ll learn:

• Career leap: How Tonya turned a downturn layoff into an entrepreneurial studio.
• ROI-first design: Balancing brand standards with owner realities; value engineering without cheapening the experience.
• Independent vs. branded: The freedom and friction of boutique projects—and how to keep choices focused with story and budget.
• Culture as a design brief: Translating local rhythms (NYC pace vs. South Florida ease) into materials, layout, and guest flow.
• Multi-sensory wins: Why scent, sound, and texture amplify design—and how casinos and lobby programs prove it.
• Trends from Paris (Maison & Objet): Cobalt blues, playful “cosmic” motifs, bold/whimsical forms, and what’s next for product design.
• Owner playbook: Asking “cost per key,” aligning timelines, and avoiding PIP traps with smart alternatives the brand will accept.

If you lead hotel projects or love the business of hospitality, subscribe for weekly episodes. Share this with a designer, owner, or asset manager who needs an ROI-first perspective.

Check-In with Bryan blends leadership lessons with real hospitality stories—hosted by Bryan Fish (CEO, Reliance Hospitality) with Executive Producer Tyler Alexander.

#HospitalityDesign #HotelROI #BoutiqueHotels #BrandStandards #ValueEngineering

From wild Reddit hotel reviews to a cinematic recap of our Belfast “Come From Away” episode, this Friday wrap hits travel, hospitality, and a little GM-life chaos.

What you’ll hear:
•The Belfast episode drop: behind the drone shot at The Lyric and how we built a more cinematic edit.
•Two-interview week: Tonya  Schmitt up next Tuesday; Michael Russell coming soon.
•Reddit rabbit holes: why traveler oversharing is content gold (and a cautionary tale).
•Hotel ops storytime: a GM’s unforgettable lobby complaint you have to hear to believe.
•Travel itch: Hawaii pace of life, small-town hospitality, and what it teaches hotel leaders.

Your end-of-week download with Bryan Fish (CEO, Reliance Hospitality) and Executive Producer Tyler Alexander—industry news, travel stories, and what’s next on the show.

If you’re into hospitality insights with real stories and zero fluff, subscribe and turn on notifications. Catch the Belfast episode on our channel, and follow Check-In with Bryan on your favorite podcast app.

Disclaimer:
Views are our own. Any stories referencing individuals are anonymized or shared as public anecdotes.


#Hospitality #HotelManagement #TravelIndustry #Belfast #PodcastClips

This week on Check-In with Bryan, we traveled to Northern Ireland to support St. Agnes’s Choral Society in their powerful production of Come From Away at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.

As the world reflects on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, this episode highlights how kindness, hospitality, and community can shine in times of crisis. Host Bryan Fish sits down with cast members Fiona Keegan and Michelle Hannaway, along with St. Agnes’s leadership, Cat McAleavey and Gareth McGreevy to explore:

• Why Come From Away resonates so deeply with Irish audiences
• The real-life stories behind the characters portrayed on stage
• How the people of Gander, Newfoundland embodied hospitality in its purest form
• The emotional connection between 9/11 and Northern Ireland’s own history of resilience
• What audiences and performers alike take away from this production about empathy, kindness, and humanity

This sold-out run at the Lyric Theatre has not only brought global stories to a local stage, but also reminded us that hospitality isn’t just hotels and travel — it’s about welcoming strangers, creating belonging, and offering comfort when it’s needed most.

If you’re passionate about hospitality, leadership, and the human side of our industry, this episode will move and inspire you.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Check-In with Bryan for more conversations with hospitality leaders and cultural voices worldwide.

#CheckInWithBryan #HospitalityLeadership #ComeFromAway #BelfastTheatre #HospitalityIndustry

After two whirlwind weeks in Northern Ireland, Bryan and Tyler are finally back stateside (in two different cities), unpacking the trip, the late-night sessions, and why Nando’s x 3 became a ritual. We chat shooting a special onstage episode with St. Agnes Choral Society, near-miss key mishaps, brutal sleep schedules, and why the Financial District is Bryan’s new underrated NYC home base (plus a surprisingly great stay at a Sonder).

We also shout out this week’s main episode with Jenn Parks (Curator Hotel & Resort Collection)—from personalization at independents to how collections can scale without killing a hotel’s soul.

In this episode:

• Northern Ireland recap: press photos, lighthouse shoots, and marketing resets
• Travel chaos we survived (keys, flights, and… Diet Cokes)
• Fi-di stay notes: studio w/ kitchen, W/D, big rooftop—perfect for longer NYC stints
• Programming notes: St. Agnes special drops Tuesday (9/11-themed memorial tie-in)
• What’s ahead this fall: new guests, more reels, and fewer conferences (by design)

If you missed it: check out our conversation with Jenn Parks to hear how independents are winning on experience and flexibility.

Subscribe for weekly Friday catch-ups, and don’t miss our Tuesday long-form interviews on Check-In with Bryan.

#CheckOutFridays #HospitalityIndustry #TravelLife #IndependentHotels #PodcastRecap

What makes independent hotels thrive in a world dominated by the big brands? In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, Bryan sits down with Jenn Parks, Vice President of Member Development & Communication at Curator Hotel & Resort Collection.

Jenn brings a powerhouse background — 15 years at National Geographic building the Unique Lodges of the World program, and now leading Curator’s mission to support nearly 100 independent lifestyle hotels and resorts.

They dive into:

• The lessons Jenn learned launching new divisions at National Geographic and Curator
• Why Curator chose to launch in November 2020, mid-pandemic — and how timing turned challenge into opportunity
• How contract flexibility and an “à la carte” vendor approach is reshaping the way independents work with partners
• Why today’s travelers are looking for authentic design, local storytelling, and experiences beyond just a bed
• Predictions for the future of the independent hotel segment in North America and beyond

If you’ve ever wondered how individuality, design, and brand strategy intersect to create memorable guest experiences, this conversation delivers both insider perspective and practical insights.

Tune in and learn how independent hotels can stay unique, stay profitable, and compete with the giants.

#HospitalityIndustry #IndependentHotels #HotelManagement #TravelTrends #CheckInWithBryan

Welcome back to Check-Out Fridays, our end-of-week series from Check-In with Bryan.

This week, Bryan takes the mic solo to break down one of the most common struggles in leadership and hospitality: work-life balance. Drawing inspiration from clips with past guests and voices like Scott Clary, Jay Shetty, and Mel Robbins, Bryan unpacks the three biggest myths that keep leaders stuck in burnout and chasing “someday.”

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
•Why balance isn’t 50/50 every single day (and what it really looks like across seasons)
•Why the idea of “hustle now, enjoy later” rarely works out
•Why boundaries aren’t optional if you want sustainable success

Check-Out Fridays are all about slowing down, reflecting, and walking into the weekend with fresh perspective. By the end of this episode, you’ll have permission to rethink how balance fits into your leadership and life — not later, but right now.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Check-In with Bryan for weekly interviews and insights on the business of hospitality. Learn more about Reliance Hospitality at reliancehospitality.com.

#CheckOutFriday #WorkLifeBalance #HospitalityLeadership #CheckInPodcast

It’s midnight in New York, but Bryan and Tyler are wide awake for this week’s Friday Check-Out.

Fresh off a whirlwind week of filming, travel prep, and deep dives into hospitality, the duo sit down to talk about:

• Their recent interview with Cody Adent and his very Utah ventures
• NYC filming adventures (including a 9/11 Memorial visit and security guard diplomacy)
• The chaos of air travel: middle seats, man-spreading, and rogue airport Uber rides
• A look ahead to their trip to Belfast for the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and Come From Away at The Lyric

Expect hilarious travel tangents, real talk about work-life chaos, and sneak peeks into what’s coming next. This episode is equal parts late-night delirium and classic Check-In with Bryan energy.

✈️ Also: If you’ve ever felt personally attacked by airplane etiquette, this one’s for you.

🎧 Catch Cody Adent’s full interview from Tuesday if you missed it—and stay tuned for a mystery guest next week!

#CheckOutFridays

#HospitalityPodcast

#TravelFails

#MidnightPodcast

#BryanAndTyler

What if your hotel could run seamlessly — with no front desk, no on-site staff, and 5-star reviews?

In this episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish sits down with Cody Adent, President & CFO of Vibrant Management and host of The Virtual GM Podcast. Cody shares the game-changing process behind their Virtual GM model, which allows boutique hotels to operate profitably with remote teams and lean operations — often in properties with fewer than 40 rooms.

💡 Inside the episode:

• How Cody built a fully remote hospitality model
• The powerful role of stay-at-home moms in staffing
• Tech tools like Akia that elevate guest communication
• Financial best practices for hotel owners (including reserves, budgeting, and navigating distributions)
• Why flexibility and transparency are the new gold standard in management contracts

This candid conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, technology-driven hospitality, and the future of small hotels. Whether you’re a hotelier, investor, or aspiring operator, you’ll walk away with real, actionable insight into scaling properties without sacrificing service.

🎙️ Hosted by Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality

🎧 Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes — plus Friday Checkouts for weekly insights and behind-the-scenes commentary.

👉 Subscribe now and explore more at reliancehospitality.com

#HospitalityInnovation

#BoutiqueHotels

#VirtualGM

#HotelManagement

#CheckInWithBryan

From Instant Pot debates to airport karaoke fails, this week’s episode of Check-Out Fridays with Bryan and Tyler is full of laughs, updates, and future plans.

Tune in as the duo catch up before their upcoming trip to New York and Northern Ireland, where they’ll be filming, podcasting, and collaborating with some familiar faces in hospitality and the arts.

Inside this episode:

• A bizarre karaoke experience at Orlando International Airport 🎤
• Why Bryan swears by the Vortex Plus air fryer 🍗
• Nostalgic stories about grape jelly meatballs (yes, really)
• Travel updates: Upcoming production trip to Belfast & Dublin ✈️
• A special shoutout to Come From Away at the Lyric Theatre 🎭
• Plans for fall, holiday vibes, and entering a new season in life 🎃

Bryan and Tyler also reflect on their 20s vs. 30s, the importance of planning for the year ahead, and how podcasting has helped them grow both creatively and personally.

🧳 Whether you’re working the Labor Day weekend shift or soaking up sweater weather, this episode brings light-hearted storytelling with a hospitality twist.

🎧 Check-In with Bryan drops new episodes every Tuesday & Friday. Subscribe for insights, industry stories, and a whole lot of real talk.

#CheckInWithBryan #HospitalityPodcast #TravelAndTalks #BelfastTrip #FridayCheckout