The Stanza

Today's guest is Eugene Remm, who co-founded Catch Hospitality Group in 2011. Eugene has opened Catch locations in 7 different markets throughout the U.S. and most recently, The Corner Store in New York, which has been a big success. Eugene started his hospitality career in the New York nightlife business in the 2000's, launching hit concepts such as Tenjune and SL, before pivoting to large format restaurants post 2008. Following this defining moment in his career, Eugene doubled down on the Catch concept and took a bold step forward by launching the LA location. In 2017, upon the success of Catch LA, Tilman Fertitta became a partner in Catch Hospitality Group. In this interview, we chatted about Eugene's background as a Russian immigrant and his attitude towards entrepreneurship, and building longevity in hospitality through the humility to learn from mistakes and relentlessly evolving the guest experience.

Thank you Peoplevine for making this podcast possible. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ ⁠⁠

Interview Highlights:

• The American Dream and entrepreneurship
• Opening hit nightclubs in NYC in the 2000's
• Pivoting to large format restaurants post 2008
• How Eugene convinced Tilman Fertitta to join Catch as a partner
• Longevity in hospitality
• Economics of a small format NYC restaurant

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Jeff Klein started his hospitality career in 1993 as a bellman at The Franklin Hotel, where he learned the ropes of running a hotel in various operational roles. His first hotel project was the successful repositioning of a midtown office building into The City Club hotel. After The City Club, Jeff raised capital to acquire the dilapidated Argyle Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, and repositioned it to The Sunset Tower Hotel, an iconic LA destination.  The Tower Bar at that hotel was his first restaurant, and remains an elegant destination for celebrities, Hollywood elite, and cultural tastemakers.

In 2013, Jeff acquired the San Vicente Inn, which was a run-down seedy motel in the heart of West Hollywood, and transformed it into the San Vicente Bungalows, an exclusive private members club known for attracting high profile industry executives. Most recently, due to the demand for the privacy and discretion that the club distinctly offers, Jeff has expanded San Vicente Bungalows to Santa Monica on Ocean Boulevard and at the Jane Hotel in New York's West Village.

Jeff is one of the rare hospitality entrepreneurs that has an intuitive understanding of how to buy good real estate and how to curate a timeless experience that fosters longevity and loyalty. In this interview, Jeff shares the stories behind the deals that made his career, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Thank you Peoplevine for making this podcast possible. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ ⁠

Interview Highlights:

• How Jeff got his start in hospitality
• Creating the Sunset Tower Hotel
• Jeff's various investors in Sunset Tower
• What makes a great capital partner?
• Opening the Monkey Bar with Graydon Carter
• The subconscious elements have big impact
• The acquisition story behind San Vicente Bungalows
• Fundraising challenges with SVB
• Building properties loved by Hollywood
• Hospitality is the business of emotions
• Lessons about human nature
• Advice for emerging hoteliers

Learn more about JK Hotel Group here.

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Dasha Zhukova Niarchos is the founder of Ray, a residential lifestyle brand and real estate development company that builds art-forward residences. Ray's inaugural building in Philly's Fishtown neighborhood comprises 110 residential units and several amenities geared towards creatives and art & design lovers, such as artist studios, co-working space, a gym, a community kitchen, a green roof deck, a lobby living room and an independent art bookstore. One of the best perks of living at Ray is the cultural programming for residents, which includes art classes, gallery openings, and other social activities. The launch of the Philly building was a success, completing lease up in 8 months and proving the thesis that renters want to live in beautifully designed spaces that enhance their everyday experience. Ray's next building in Harlem is designed by Frida Escobedo and includes a new home for the National Black Theatre. The building comprises 222 mixed-income units, a similar suite of amenities, and stunning views of New York from its rooftop terrace.

Prior to founding Ray, Dasha founded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow in 2008. The Museum was designed by Rem Koolhaas and is Russia's first and only contemporary art archive. In 2011, she founded Garage Magazine, which she sold and bought back from Vice Magazine. Dasha is also a co-founder of Artsy, a digital art marketplace and discovery platform. She also serves on the board of several organizations and companies, such as the LA County Museum of Art, Soho House, The Met, and more.

In this interview, we dove into the business of combining art, design, and real estate development into a cohesive lifestyle brand. I'm excited about Ray because I believe that branded real estate will be a big consumer trend, and I also like the way that Dasha is executing her vision with thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ Thank you to the team at NeueHouse for supporting The Stanza. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code ⁠⁠THESTANZA⁠ ⁠for a special offer when applying for your membership.Interview Highlights:

• How can good design foster community and address the loneliness epidemic?
• Ray’s approach to structuring partnerships with real estate developers
• Placemaking in emerging neighborhoods
• Parameters for choosing the right architect
• Insights from Dasha’s experience in the art world that she brings to Ray
• The impact of art on mental health
• Thoughts on the future of the built environment in urban cities

Connect with Dasha ⁠here⁠.

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Today's guest is hospitality veteran Noah Tepperberg, co-founder of Tao Group Hospitality. Over the course of his 30+ year career in hospitality, Noah and his team have launched several iconic venues, under brands including Marquee, Lavo, Tao, Hakkasan, and many others. Tao Group currently has over 80 branded outlets globally in the broader portfolio. In 2017, Noah and his co-founder’s including his long time business partner and Co-CEO Jason Strauss sold a majority stake in Tao Group to the Madison Square Garden Company, and in 2021 the company acquired 100% of Hakkasan Group creating one of the world's largest premium hospitality platforms with outlets in over 20 cities. In 2023, the company was acquired by Mohari Hospitality. This conversation highlights Noah's laser focused and disciplined approach to building a highly successful hospitality business that stands the test of time.

Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠

Interview Highlights:

• The key component to a successful venue
• Partnering with institutional groups
• Hospitality is a people business
• Noah's approach to real estate
• Patterns of venues that have done well vs those that haven't
• Expanding abroad
• Advice for hospitality entrepreneurs ⁠

This episode was recorded at NeueHouse Madison Square. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code ⁠THESTANZA⁠ for a special offer when applying for your membership.

Connect with Noah here.

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Today's guest is Gaetano Guarducci of Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group. Gaetano grew up in the restaurant business that his father, Gherardo Guarducci, co-founded in 2003, and has been working for the family business since graduating from university. The New York-based group comprises 29 restaurants across 3 brands - Sant Ambroeus, Felice, and Casa Lever - and is opening 3 to 4 restaurants per year with the backing of Italian British private equity fund Three Hills Capital. Sant Ambroeus, in particular, is unique in the way they combine Milanese tradition while embracing fashion & culture trends. They've done creative collaborations with brands such as Saint Laurent, The Attico, Alaia, Le Labo, and several others. It's part of their approach to maintaining longevity and desire throughout several market cycles, along with prioritizing consistency in the customer experience and the food.

Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠peoplevine.com.⁠

This episode was recorded at NeueHouse Madison Square. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code THESTANZA for a special offer when applying for your membership.

Learn more about Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group here

Follow Sant Ambroeus on Instagram

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⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠ for the full experience

Interview Highlights:

• Longevity in the restaurant sector
• Growing up in the hospitality business
• Insights from the pandemic era
• Why does Sant Ambroeus have a creative director?
• Collaborating with fashion brands
• The origin story of Sant Ambroeus as a Milanese pastry shop
• "Selling pasta to Italians" & doing business in Europe as an American company
• Key details considered in restaurant design & operations
• Operating seasonal locations in Aspen & East Hampton
• Raising capital from private equity
• Balancing brand preservation and private equity expectations
• Why haven't they expanded into members clubs?
• Gaetano's vision for SAHG as the next gen leadership

Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at peoplevine.com.

Today's guests are David Rodolitz and Gary Vaynerchuk, co-founders of VCR Group, a hospitality company operating concepts such as Flyfish Club, Ito, and Little Maven in New York and Las Vegas. Flyfish Club, which opened in September 2024, is the world's first blockchain-based members club focused on fine dining. In this conversation, we dove into the details of what it's like to build a hospitality group in one of the most competitive markets in the world (NYC). What I enjoyed most about this conversation is their forward-thinking perspectives when it comes to hospitality, especially in the fine dining space. We also talked in depth about the private members club landscape in New York and entering the space as a young hospitality group.

Gary Vaynerchuk, AKA Gary Vee, is a serial entrepreneur and leads VaynerMedia, VaynerX, and VCR Group. In 2014, Gary co-founded Resy and sold it to American Express in 2019 and is also an early investor in notable companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Uber, Coinbase, Slack, and more.

David Rodolitz is a NYC hospitality veteran and a co-founder of VCR Group. Prior to founding VCR Group, David was a founding partner of Empellon, a group of restaurants in NYC.

To learn more about VCR Group's restaurants, click here

Connect with Gary and David on Instagram

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Interview Highlights:

• The business of a fine dining members club in NYC
• Restaurants as part of placemaking
• Contrarian thinking in hospitality
• The reality of running restaurants
• Competing in the NYC restaurant & private club market as a young company
• The future of private clubs in NYC & taking cues from London club culture
• Longevity in the restaurant business
• How to handle negative reviews
• How would you invest in hospitality?
• Advice for aspiring hospitality entrepreneurs

It's a pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 season of The Stanza. Thank you for tuning in.

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Episode highlights

• Overview of the new podcast season
• The art of the cold email
• Career advice for young people
• Answering your Q&A:

1. Limiting beliefs & dreaming big
2. Best tips on growing a digital community
3. Private members clubs
4. Validation from billionaires
5. Luxury groups buying real estate
6. Fashion / hospitality brand pivots

Excited for this year's podcast season!!

**This interview was made publicly available thanks to the support of Peoplevine, the CRM software trusted by the best hospitality brands. Book your free demo here.

Today's guest is Jamie Caring, founder of Sevengage Consultancy, through which he advises hospitality entrepreneurs and real estate owners on brand creation and community building. Prior to his consulting career, Jamie was the CMO of Soho House, the Commercial Director at Caprice Holdings, the holding company behind restaurant brands such as The Ivy, Le Caprice, and Sexy Fish, and the Commercial Director at The Birley Clubs, which owns club brands such as Annabel's and Mark's. Prior to hospitality, Jamie had a 15-year career in music and entertainment at MTV and VH1.

Jamie started at Soho House in 2008 when there wasn't a marketing team, and during his tenure, helped shape it into the global category-defining lifestyle brand that it is today. This was my longest interview to date, and I definitely could have continued the interview. We went in-depth on Jamie's knowledge and insights coming from both of his lives in entertainment and hospitality, and especially focused on strategy for launching and scaling hospitality businesses, as well as the psychology of members clubs. He truly understands how to build an enduring hospitality brand that is a reference for other emerging brands, and I know anyone listening to this episode will learn a lot from Jamie's experience.Connect with Jamie here.

Interview Highlights:

• Applying insights from entertainment to hospitality
• Meeting Nick Jones and starting at Soho House
• Marketing-led vs transaction-led hospitality
• Jamie's philosophy on member programming & events
• Can people buy into "community"?
• What is a true community in the context of a business?
• Lessons from Soho House's banker purge in 2010
• Top drivers for both membership renewals and cancellations
• Expanding from members clubs into a lifestyle brand
• The art & science of advertising exclusivity
• Thoughts on Soho House's recent negative press and its IPO
• Balancing creative vision and needs of investors
• Jamie's experience at Annabel's & how legacy clubs can stay relevant
• Thoughts on the proliferation of members clubs
• Trends in the club industry
• Advice for hospitality entrepreneurs
• Audience Q&A

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend or colleague :)

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Today's guest is David Litwak, co-founder of Maxwell Social. I'm excited to share the founding story of Maxwell because they're one of the very few emerging members clubs that are bold enough to take a contrarian approach to the business model. They have an open kitchen instead of a restaurant, they're not open during the weekday daytime, they don't have reciprocal clubs, and they ask their members to contribute to the community. The way Maxwell is structured is to re-align business incentives with the interests of the members, and to create an environment that facilitates deep relationships between members. It's completely different from the traditional "aspirational exclusivity" we've seen across most of the popular members club brands without sacrificing sophistication and style.

David isn't afraid to share his opinions and if you want a behind the scenes view on the members club business, you'll enjoy this episode. Thanks for tuning in.

Interview Highlights

• Gated restaurants with a community tagline
• Naming the club after 1920's socialite Elsa Maxwell as part of their core brand
• Why Maxwell is opting out of providing amenities such as a restaurant, gym, co-working space, etc.
• Programming that facilitates deep relationships & community contribution
• How they sourced their location in Tribeca & maximizing the real estate
• Raising capital as a new members club operator
• Attributes of a Maxwell member
• David's hot takes on why certain clubs have become cultural institutions
• The vision for Maxwell's future

More about Maxwell Social

Connect with Maxwell on IG: @maxwellsocial

Connect with David on LinkedIn here.

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Today's guest is Annabel Schwartz, founder of hospitality consultancy House of Talana.

Annabel was the former west coast memberships manager at Soho House and most recently the director of member relations & culture at San Vicente Bungalows. We did a deep dive on all the fun topics within hospitality - curating and designing a members club, the consumer psychology of exclusivity, the meaning of great hospitality, and trend predictions on the future of the industry. Annabel has so much unique experience and insight into the business from a behind the scenes angle and I know you're all going to love this episode.

On another note - this interview is the final guest episode of the season. The podcast will come back later this year, but for now definitely be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow along on Instagram and TikTok (@thestanzamedia). Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show.

Episode Highlights

• Annabel's background at Soho House and SVB
• Structuring of an effective membership program
• Why exclusivity is an essential component
• Paying for access vs earning access
• Privacy in LA vs spontaneity in NYC
• 3 trend predictions for hospitality
• Advice for members clubs operators

Thank you to Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is the CRM loved by the best members clubs in the industry. Check out which clubs use Peoplevine and book your free demo here.