What does authentic, people-centered hospitality look like?

In this episode, Dan Ryan talks with Margot Stern, hospitality entrepreneur and founder of Avenida Baja and The Hopewell, about her journey from global marketing at Mattel to building boutique hotels rooted in community and belonging. They explore how authenticity, storytelling, and resilience shape successful hospitality ventures and what it takes to raise capital, navigate local politics, and lead with empathy in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Margot defines hospitality as creating a true sense of welcome, shares candid insights from her path as a female founder, and reveals how transparency, vision, and community engagement can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Takeaways: 

• True hospitality starts with creating a genuine sense of belonging, when people feel truly seen and valued, everything else follows.
• Embrace career pivots and unexpected opportunities as pathways to growth; every experience can build skills that serve future ventures.
• Use storytelling and clear visuals to communicate your vision; numbers matter, but emotional connection inspires belief and investment.
• Engage openly with communities and stakeholders early in any project; transparency builds trust and helps turn resistance into collaboration.
• Choose investors, partners, and mentors who align with your values and vision, mutual respect is the foundation of sustainable success.
• Innovate in how you raise funds and share your story; modern tools like crowdfunding and digital platforms can help you reach new, supportive audiences.

Quote of the Show:

“Sometimes things don't work out exactly the way you want and it can turn into something beautiful" - Margot Stern

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-stern-67a0a97/  
• Company website: https://www.avenidabaja.com/ , https://www.the-hopewell.com/  
• Instagram: 
  • Personal: https://www.instagram.com/margot_stern/?hl=en  
  • Avenida Baja: https://www.instagram.com/avenidabaja/?hl=en  
  • The Hopewell: https://www.instagram.com/the_hopewell/# 

Shout Outs:

• 1:10 - The Lauder Institute/The Wharton School https://lauder.wharton.upenn.edu/
• 2:23 - University of Pennsylvania https://www.upenn.edu/ 
• 13:35 - Independent Lodging Congress https://ilcongress.com/  
• 33:15 - James Beard Awards https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards 
• 34:37 - The Stockton Inn https://www.stocktoninn.com/ 
• 37:20 - Philadelphia Magazine https://www.phillymag.com/ 
• 49:07 - Death and Co. https://www.deathandcompany.com/ 
• 49:15 - Crowdfunding https://www.crowdfunding.com/ 
• 1:00:38 - Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) https://eonetwork.org/?scLang=en 
• 1:00:42 - Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) https://www.ypo.org/ 

🏨✨ 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/