Top Floor

Alexa West traveled full-time for more than a decade, creating the Solo Girls Travel Guides to help other women explore her favorite places. Alexa's latest book, The One-Way Ticket Plan, focuses on how to travel instead of where to travel. Susan and Alexa talk about finding free lodging, staying safe without freaking out, and working remotely around the world.

Philip Welker is a historic preservationist in hotelier's clothing. His portfolio of boutique hotels is made up of properties that do as much to revitalize a community as they do to generate revenue. Susan and Philip talk about changing majors, finding partners, and stealing art.

Leticia Proctor was tricked into her hotel career, and the industry has benefited enormously as a result. As Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Management for Donohoe Hospitality Services, Leticia guides the company's topline revenue efforts while helping design and plan renovations and new construction. Susan and Leticia talk about what it's like to be the only Black woman in the room and how to position yourself for an above-property role.

Like many startup founders, Stephanie Daniel used to be an investment banker. As CEO of Legends, she is investing in a zero-paty data future by creating a way for consumers to share their travel DNA with brands. Susan and Stephanie talk about pitching, privacy, and personalization.

Sarah Saffari was a fitness influencer before realizing she could put what she'd learned to better use as a consultant and agency founder. As CEO of InfluencerNexus, Sarah helps hospitality companies and other brands create powerful campaigns without fraudulent followers. Susan and Sarah talk about why marketing is like a bank account and how to swim out of a riptide.

Alex Sharpe has been a luxury travel executive for most of his career, but he has found renewed purpose in using travel for good. As President and CEO of Signature Travel Network, Alex created Travel Elevates, a foundation that funds important projects around the world and gives travelers unique experiences that elevate their memories. Susan and Alex talk about travel advisors, Hawaii, and bridge.

Anita Francois studied television production and archeology at university and used the money she earned to fund a pretty serious travel habit. Anita's deep knowledge of the often overlooked history of Black travelers and personal discovery of the Black travel movement on Instagram came together when she created the Black Travel Summit. Susan and Anita talk about pneumonia, heart attacks, and the Maniq of Thailand.

Tracy Prigmore is a real estate investor, hotelier, and educator of women who want to become hotel owners. As creator of She Has a Deal, Tracy is teaching women how to do hotel deals, introducing them to powerful industry networks, and searching for the capital it takes to make it happen. Susan and Tracy talk about the latest season of She Has a Deal and SHaDTalk.

Annie Sloan was a TV producer, writer, and director, then transitioned her creative skills to marketing and advertising for tech companies like Twitter and Facebook.

Her side gig as a short-term rental host start with Craigslist but ultimately became The Host Co. Susan and Annie talk about fake reality, real opportunity, and surreal neighbor behavior.

Nima Anvar is a former scientist, a past hotelier, and a current start-up founder. After a somewhat forced science education, Nima joined his wife's family business in Grenada and learned to manage a hotel on the job before pivoting to start GuestChat, his hotel chatbot. Susan and Nima talk about finding inner peace, searching for home, and being nice.