Level up with Hakim

Jan Heuninck is the CEO of Hotel Speaker, an Olympic sailor, and a founder with an unconventional path, from leaving university to scaling a Web3 company to 94 employees and millions of users. In this episode of Level Up, Jan shares how sport shaped his discipline, what rapid growth really feels like, and why hospitality technology should make service more human not less. We also explore how Hotel Speaker helps hotels turn guest reviews into stronger relationships and better business decisions.

Connect with Jan https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-heuninck/

HotelSpeaker http://www.hotelspeaker.com

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RSYVYYt4o2iwJaf2njKjJ?si=Cz5-wI_cR8i0ssapnTWaEg

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Hakim speaks with Kanku Michelsen, a senior career coach and luxury travel advisor, about the shared mindset behind navigating career transitions and planning meaningful travel. The conversation centers on one powerful idea: whether you are rebuilding after a layoff or trying to reset on vacation, the first step is to get clear on what you actually want.Kanku explains how her portfolio career evolved from a personal identity shift, why she takes an inside-out approach to travel planning, and how she helps executives move through grief, clarity, and courage before rushing into the next opportunity.

00:00 - Welcome and why travel and career transitions belong in the same conversation

01:18 - Kanku Michelsen’s portfolio career: executive coaching and luxury travel

02:12 - The personal turning point that led her into travel advising

04:33 - Why she researched the travel industry for years before launching

06:19 - Why ambiguity is the common thread between coaching and travel

07:17 - Why busy executives take time off seriously, but often plan it too mechanically

09:29 - Her inside-out framework for planning trips around purpose and experience

12:16 - The biggest misconception leaders have about career transitions

13:15 - Why “Who am I now?” is the key question after a layoff or reinvention

16:28 - The first practical step before touching a resume or LinkedIn profile

18:19 - Why career transitions often need one small step at a time

20:12 - How she balances emotional processing with forward-looking strategy

21:05 - Why some people need months, not days, to detach from a long-held role

22:52 - Why her corporate background helps her understand executive travel needs

25:05 - The most common mistake in the first 30 days after a career loss

27:45 - Where AI helps in coaching and travel, and where it falls short

31:13 - Why AI will change jobs, but not replace human connection

34:09 - Why personalized travel advising is growing, not shrinking

38:08 - The first real step for someone going through a transition

40:16 - What “level up” means to Kanku: clarity, honesty, and honoring what matters now

Connect with Kanku https://www.linkedin.com/in/kankumichelsen/

Also watch and listen on:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Ed3dWmcL9F4B6c7ZZGCkI?si=bHowYxyYRXaUTwqcCTq1Ow

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

In this episode, Hakim speaks with David Moore, CEO and director of fun at Moore Style Events, about what separates a smooth event from a memorable one. David brings more than 20 years of experience designing executive meetings, leadership summits, conferences, product launches, and customer events around the world.We discuss how guest experience starts long before attendees arrive, why relationships with hotel teams matter so much, and how AI may streamline event planning without replacing the human touch.

(00:00) Why most events are forgotten quickly

(00:36) Meet David Moore, director of fun

(01:38) How the director of fun title came to be

(03:30) Why smaller, more personal events stand out

(05:17) What separates smooth events from memorable ones

(07:29) David’s five Ws framework for planning

(09:15) Why event budgets often surprise first timers

(12:22) Guest experience starts before the event begins

(13:40) Personalization that makes guests feel known

(16:10) The hardest part of international event planning

(21:36) What makes a hotel team trustworthy

(24:41) First impressions during a site visit

(29:29) The most misunderstood part of hotel collaboration

(35:44) What makes a strong hotel proposal stand out

(39:12) Relationship first, delivery second

(40:51) When promises about internet and space fall apart

(43:51) The future of events and AI

(52:49) Virtual events versus in person experiences

(54:54) Rapid fire: underrated registration, communication, and welcome

(56:14) What leveling up means in events

Connect with David via Linedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlmoore/

Website

http://www.moorestyleevents.com

Also watch and listen on:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nOZlxK9K5yK7max9lWvPF?si=2IbMNGISQym_5ATJM3iMug

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Most hotel brands don’t fail on product - they fail on relevance. Regitze, founder of Rose Nordic Hospitality PR and positioning agency, reveals why the Nordics reward cultural intelligence, not copy-paste luxury.

If you’re a hotel, retreat, or travel brand trying to break into Scandinavia, this conversation shows why visibility starts long before publicity.

Regitze has spent more than a decade working across hospitality, storytelling, strategic communication, and market positioning, and she explains what international brands consistently miss when they try to “enter the Nordics.”

You’ll discover why authenticity in this market is not a marketing word but a test of whether the guest experience, brand promise, people, and place actually align. We break down why positioning has to come before PR, why “Nordic-looking” is not the same as being Nordic-relevant, and why concepts like wellness, sustainability, and quiet luxury only work when they are built into the entire operation - not just added to the pitch deck.Regitze also shares what Nordic travelers really respond to, from simplicity and sense of place to human connection, architectural integrity, and genuine hospitality.

• 00:00 Why hotel visibility starts with relevance
• 02:23 What international brands get wrong in the Nordics
• 03:42 Positioning before PR
• 05:07 What Nordic travelers really want
• 07:37 Why “Nordic-looking” is not enough
• 09:52 Why entering the market takes years
• 12:21 Why publicity without positioning fails
• 16:21 Storytelling that actually works
• 21:43 Wellness as a philosophy, not a label
• 27:11 Hotels becoming destinations
• 28:42 Where Nordic hospitality is headed
• 33:37 What hospitality should never automate
• 36:48 AI, sameness, and brand identity
• 39:14 Rapid fire: trends, brands, and what level up means

Connect with Regitze

https://www.linkedin.com/in/regitze-cecilie-rosenvinge-4b375b39/

Rose Hospitality advisory https://www.linkedin.com/company/rosenordic/

Also watch on:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/344CtyJKq4LXbaBK82h71z?si=gdlORkq-RauuKuEa-EbUpQ

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

This episode explores why traditional hospitality training often fails under real pressure and what needs to change. Hakim speaks with Alison Magee-Barker F.I.H, founder and CEO of AG Lakes Consultancy and Immersive XP, about building scenario-based VR training that helps teams practice guest complaints, service recovery, leadership moments, and decision-making before those moments happen on the floor.Alison also explains how Immersive XP uses short modules, analytics, eye-contact assessment, and replay feedback to improve confidence, consistency, and retention in hospitality teams.

(00:00) Hospitality does not have a motivation problem
(01:44) Why current training feels irrelevant and repetitive
(04:00) Promoting great staff without teaching leadership
(06:08) How AG Lakes Training Academy began during the pandemic
(08:10) A Roblox moment that sparked Immersive XP
(10:48) The real signs that a training system is failing
(13:22) What a VR hospitality scenario feels like in practice
(15:03) Eye-contact scoring and guest connection
(16:16) Short scenarios, game over, and instant retries
(17:09) Management portal, analytics, and leaderboard features
(18:54) Core modules in the MVP and founder partner opportunities
(23:10) Why service recovery creates guest ambassadors
(25:51) Training, retention, and the cost of poor culture
(30:10) How technology can make hospitality more human
(40:45) Measuring ROI from training and reduced turnover
(42:59) How onboarding and licensing work with hotels
(45:54) The next five years of hospitality and immersive learning
(47:57) What Alison would remove from current training structures
(52:18) What “level up” means to Alison
(54:43) VR retention rates compared with other training formats
(55:36) Free trial and closing thoughts

What does it truly take to develop resilience, trust, and long-term success in sales and hospitality? Iggy Fisher, Vice President of Club Quarters Hotels, shares his transformative journey from a Bosnian refugee to a hospitality sales leader. Discover how genuine connections, a people-centric culture, and intuitive listening elevate sales beyond mere transactions plus, how AI is shaping the future of customer engagement without replacing the human touch. In this episode, Iggy reveals the pivotal moments that shifted his career from early front desk roles to leading global sales highlighting why talent, authenticity, and a future-focused mindset are non-negotiable. You'll learn his unique approach to sales excellence, emphasizing talent over process, and how asking questions and active listening unlock customer needs often hidden beneath the surface. He emphasizes that great salespeople don’t just manage relationships they build trust that lasts decades

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview

00:25 - Iggy's early career and transition into sales

01:37 - The influence of mentorship and relationship-building in hospitality

02:24 - How hospitality culture and innovation define Club Quarters' success

03:46 - The significance of asking questions and understanding client needs

04:39 - The distinction between good and great salespeople: future mindset and relationship focus

06:20 - Shifting from front office to sales for stability and growth

07:44 - Leadership insights: Building a strong sales culture and coaching

09:02 - Explaining Club Quarters’ brand and membership model

11:49 - Post-COVID evolution of corporate travel and booking technology

13:11 - The human connection as a core element of customer loyalty

15:40 - What sales excellence looks like: talent, support, and culture

18:48 - The role of leadership in enabling sales success

20:19 - The influence of AI: automating mundane tasks versus maintaining emotional connection

31:29 - How AI is transforming travel booking and data management

38:18 - Industry changes post-pandemic and the future of business travel

44:30 - Navigating industry challenges and innovations with technology

46:53 - Building motivated, accountable, and confident sales teams

50:36 - The importance of setting ambitious goals and continuous learning

55:03 - Valuable advice for aspiring sales professionals

56:01 - What does leveling up mean to Iggy?

57:50 - Final thoughts and closing notes

Connect with Iggy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iggy-fisher-52346051/

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Pt1j3SobW8Rd5FueKeskV?si=SDqBEKOJTzGEEAitYOTKPA

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Most hotels are leaving millions on the table by treating revenue, marketing, and operations as disconnected silos, until now. Arne Hagstad, a seasoned hospitality tech leader Chief Growth Officer@Suusify , shares how aligning these functions can unlock dramatic growth, like boosting revenue per guest from €300 to €1100. In this episode, discover how hospitality businesses can harness real-time data and AI to anticipate guest needs, optimize price strategies, and deliver personalized experiences that stand out in a crowded market.

00:00 - Introduction to Arne Hagstad and key themes of growth, technology, and leadership

01:20 - Arne's background in hospitality technology and journey from banking

02:46 - The action-driven mindset and passion for insight over appearance

03:08 - The story of career change inspired by a mountain encounter 04:39 - The importance of understanding holistic hotel strategies

07:33 - Biggest mistake: siloed departments and disconnected strategies

10:02 - The significance of connecting revenue, marketing, and operations

12:26 - Benefits of independent hotels implementing holistic strategies faster

13:54 - Introducing the 'Hub by Suusify' BI platform

15:17 - How the platform connects data sources and aids future forecasting

16:36 - Applications of the platform in sales, demand, and guest insights

18:22 - Using data for targeted sales efforts and market analysis

20:26 - Upselling as a timely, personalized interaction, not spam

22:32 - The impact of tailored communication on guest satisfaction 23:56 - Integration of AI in travel planning and automation

24:48 - The hype versus real potential of AI in hospitality

27:46 - The role of AI in automating routine tasks and enhancing guest experiences

29:44 - Future trends: luxury's shift towards human connection and tech balance

32:07 - Technology's role in leisure and urban hotel experiences

35:34 - Concerns around data security, privacy, and ethical AI use 37:31 - Leadership lessons: building teams based on shared dreams and personality

40:08 - Hiring insights: spotting the fire, not just the CV

42:33 - Actionable advice for independent hotels and exciting tech tools to watch

44:16 - Defining 'level up' through learning from failures and successes 45:01 - Closing thoughts on the importance of continuous innovation and leadership

connect with Arne

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arne-hegstad-12293338/

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/@levelupwithhakim

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

In this episode, with Zoe Koumbouzi for round two, the conversation explores how trust shapes sales, partnerships, and long-term growth in hospitality technology. The discussion also covers honest marketing, CEO visibility, benchmarking, and how AI and real-time data are changing how travelers discover and book experiences.

• Why trust is the foundation of sales and relationships
• How hospitality tech go-to-market strategies are evolving
• Honest marketing and selling what’s actually on the table
• The Muse and Uber partnership and what it means for guest journeys
• Why consultants and advisors are becoming more valuable
• Benchmark reports as a sales and authority tool
• CEO visibility and messaging consistency on LinkedIn
• AI search, TikTok, and real-time travel discovery
• Lessons from acquisitions and industry change

00:00 Introduction and welcome
01:35 How careers and strategy evolve in hospitality
03:16 Why trust matters in go-to-market strategy
05:47 Broken trust between vendors and hoteliers
07:30 Honest marketing and clearer product positioning
09:27 The rise of consultants and advisors
11:01 Muse x Uber and the future of guest journeys
15:30 Muse Unfold and product launch reactions
17:45 Why benchmark reports matter
19:28 Salary, bonuses, and gender insights
23:01 CEO visibility and personal branding
27:04 Messaging consistency across platforms
28:06 AI search and how people research travel
29:20 TikTok’s role in travel discovery
32:23 Lessons learned from acquisitions
34:22 What’s next for helping tech companies grow
36:01 A surprise career pivot story
37:28 Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH ZOE

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-koumbouzi/

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6shedvQZmcljNr9zkqmGNo?si=VXbGwhpWQUeHLfAC6ON30A

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of real estate - from capital movement, hospitality innovations, to technology's role in shaping tomorrow. Alexander Shaw shares invaluable insights on how relationships, trust, and tech are revolutionizing the sector for investors and operators alike.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and why real estate is underestimated
02:00 - Alexander's journey from law to real estate investment
04:00 - The systemic issues in real estate capital flows and how Capitan Connect addresses them
07:00 - The shift in market diligence and investor expectations in today’s environment
09:30 - Real estate as a capital allocation business, not just property management
12:00 - The blending of hospitality and other asset classes: innovations in community and experience
15:00 - Key factors investors evaluate in hospitality assets like branded residences
17:00 - The importance of operational excellence and brand consistency in hospitality trends
19:00 - How data and technology are transforming hotel management and investment decision-making
21:00 - Tips for hotel operators to improve capital raising efforts through fundamentals
23:00 - The impact of AI on underwriting, hiring, and operational management in real estate
26:00 - Building trust and long-term relationships in real estate and hospitality
30:00 - The future of real estate with tech, AI, and evolving asset classes
35:00 - The exciting innovations in residential, PBSA, and mixed-use developments
40:00 - Balancing human connection with automation and tech in hospitality
45:00 - Practical advice for newcomers: networking, LinkedIn, and mentorship
50:00 - The importance of transparency, honesty, and sharing knowledge in industry growth
55:00 - Reflections on future trends and the evolution of real estate
58:00 - Closing thoughts and how to level up in the industry

• Alexander Shaw - Capitan Connect

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/65D40dyTOSM2nNaa9GfBUa

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

What if student housing in Europe could be faster, more connected, and truly tailored to young people's needs? Marco Nobel, founder of Fuse, reveals how he's transforming a slow, fragmented industry into a vibrant community-driven experience. With a background that blends real estate, music, and innovative community building, Marco shares the bold vision behind Fuse, to create not just places to live, but ecosystems that foster belonging and growth. This episode isn't just about real estate; it's about rethinking how we build spaces where students thrive, leveraging community, technology, and a founder's mindset.You'll discover:

• How Fuse is turning traditional student housing into a lifestyle brand by integrating community, events, and digital engagement.
• The innovative business models master leases, management agreements, and hybrid strategies—that are fueling rapid expansion across Europe.
• Why community is the hidden engine of student satisfaction and how Fuse uses it as a competitive edge.
• The role AI and automation are playing in streamlining operations while maintaining the human touch.
• The stakes and opportunities of scaling in a market with underdeveloped assets and growing demand.

Reach out to Marco Nobel linkedin.com/in/marco-nobel?skipRedirect=true&miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAyyFfoBS45PSZWbXHIeQ_JdYGKEEkvRhsM

https://open.spotify.com/episode/40SUhOu8iSMV8e3I3pX2uV?si=pBpuBWSxSsu2caTiaRA9vQ

Apple Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718

Amazon music
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim