Mentorship is so valuable, especially in hospitality. Today Dan interviews Kellie Sirna, Owner and Principal of Studio 11 Design. Kellie shares her journey through 20 years in the hospitality design industry, highlighting key milestones such as the purchase and renovation of a historic building, the expansion of her business with sister companies specializing in branding and art, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They explore the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of hospitality design, and navigating through the pressures of business restructuring. Kellie also discusses her vision for the future, including international expansion and the development of Studio 11 Design-branded residences. The conversation offers insights into the ups and downs of running a successful design firm and emphasizes the power of collaboration, trust, and perseverance.

Takeaways: 

• Actively seek out mentors or become one yourself. Reach out to industry leaders for coffee meetings to gain insights.
• Focus on building and maintaining trust with clients. High trust levels can result in more creative freedom and better project outcomes.
• In design projects, delve deeply into the local neighborhood's story rather than relying on broad stereotypes or generalizations. This makes the design more authentic and engaging.
• Consider expanding available services such as branding and art installations within your firm to maintain a cohesive narrative and offer comprehensive solutions to clients.
• Invest in creating a collaborative and enriching workspace for your team to foster loyalty and productivity.
• Explore new and innovative project types, such as multifunctional spaces or projects in unique locations, to stand out and attract interest.

Quote of the Show:

“ The people in hospitality, we’re a different breed. We live and breathe hospitality. It's who we are.” - Kellie Sirna

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-sirna-9847445/ 
• Website: https://studio11design.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio11design_/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandbottega/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curationbylouverne/ 

Shout Outs:

• 0:40 - Hospitality Design Magazine https://hospitalitydesign.com/ 
• 0:42 -  Condé Nast https://www.condenast.com/ 
• 0:43 - Forbes https://www.forbes.com/ 
• 0:43 - Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/ 
• 6:24 - Duncan & Miller Design https://duncanmillerdesign.com/ 
• 7:04 - Stacy Elliston  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-elliston-11305a9/ 
• 21:55 - Ed Kuester https://www.linkedin.com/in/edkuester/ 
• 26:21 - Greg Clay https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-clay-25772010/ 
• 28:00 - Kevin Barry https://kevinbarry.com/ 
• 28:34 - Countrypolitan https://www.countrypolitannashville.com/ 
• 28:45 - Thompson Hotels https://www.hyatt.com/thompson-hotels 
• 29:26 - Hilton Garden Inn https://www.hilton.com/en/brands/hilton-garden-inn/ 
• 36:12 - Chris Alvarado https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-m-alvarado-2911647/ 
• 40:05 - Kelly Wearstler https://www.kellywearstler.com/ 
• 43:35 - Hutton Hotel https://www.huttonhotel.com/ 

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

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
• Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/