In today’s episode of the Life On Your Terms Podcast, I chat with Neil Shah, an accomplished hotelier who has navigated the challenges of immigrating to a new country and building a successful business empire. Neil shares his inspiring journey from arriving in the U.S. with a background in electrical engineering to becoming the owner of 10 hotels. We discuss how Neil transitioned from working at an independent hotel in Anaheim to owning multiple properties across different states.

Neil’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Tune in to learn more about his unique path to success and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Key Points:

• The challenges of immigrating to the U.S. and adapting to a new culture.
• The transition from working in the hotel industry to hotel ownership.
• Leveraging side hustles and creative financing to bootstrap business ventures.
• The importance of building operational expertise before scaling.
• The role of patience and strategic timing in long-term business success.

What we discuss: 

-[00:54] The culture shock of moving from India to the U.S. 

-[02:54] Adapting to a new language and environment while working in hotels.

- [07:27] Transitioning from hotel employee to hotel owner. 

-[10:07] Neil’s first hotel investment and the creative ways he financed it. 

-[14:00] Learning the ropes of hotel operations in a branded property.

- [16:43] The challenges and opportunities in managing hotels with restaurants. 

-[18:47] Expanding the portfolio: Moving from two hotels to ten.

- [22:47] The importance of cash flow in the hotel industry. 

-[23:38] Strategies for growing a hotel portfolio over time.

Guest Insights:

Neil emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic financial planning in achieving business success. His journey from a new immigrant with no connections in the U.S. to owning 10 hotels is an inspiring story of grit and determination. Neil shares his experiences of learning the hotel business from the ground up, the importance of patience, and how creating additional income streams can open up investment opportunities.

About Neil Shah:

Neil Shah is a seasoned hotelier with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Starting with his first hotel purchase in 2001, Neil has grown his portfolio to 10 hotels. His journey began in India, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering and ran a business before moving to the U.S. Neil’s success is built on a foundation of hard work, continuous learning, and a passion for the hotel industry.

Find more from Neil Shah:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nilangs
• Website: https://www.inntechhospitality.com/

Connect with Jake Rosenthal:

• Website: https://www.purelegacies.com
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jake.r.rosenthal
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jake.r.rosenthal/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jake.Rosenthal

Podcast: Life On Your Terms with Jake Rosenthal

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