Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

• Bonus Episode 33 - Hospitality Meets Maya Gilbert - The Great British Walk Off

  Episode SummaryIn this very special episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the incredible Maya Gilbert, hospitality lifer, dog lover, and now… coastal legend!Maya recently completed a jaw dropping walk around the entire English coastline, that’s over 2,700 miles, to raise funds and awareness for Hospitality Action. With a £10 a day budget, a dodgy tent, and a heart full of purpose, she set off from Liverpool armed with nothing but determination, humour, and (possibly) too much stuff in her backpack.What follows is a funny, moving, and downright inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and the power of doing something “big and stupid” for all the right reasons.Expect laughter, blisters, fake IDs, beagles, and life lessons by the bucketload.Key TakeawaysFrom Fake IDs to Front of House: Maya’s hospitality story starts with fake ID and evolves into a thriving management careerBin Area Epiphany: Sometimes career clarity arrives mid meltdown behind a pub.Dogs, Pasta, and Pandemic Pivots: From dog walking to a food truck business, Maya’s career has more twists than a Netflix dramaNaïve Brilliance: She planned her 2,700-mile charity walk with roughly zero logistical planning and some rose tinted glasses... and that might have been the secret to finishing itThe Kindness of Strangers: From pub gardens to spare rooms, the hospitality of Britain literally carried her around the coastRedefining Hospitality: It’s not just restaurants and hotels - it’s everywhere people show kindnessFrom Anxiety to Adventure: Turning 30 meant closing one chapter and opening another on foot.Memorable Quotes“Tell me you’ve got ADHD without telling me you’ve got ADHD: I started a dog walking business”“Everyone said, ‘That’s stupid.’ And I thought… yeah, but is it?”“Hospitality doesn’t end when you leave a bar or a restaurant — it’s everywhere. Every day, someone showed me kindness”“Sometimes you just need to do something big and stupid to remind yourself what you’re capable of”Connect with UsIf you love stories of courage, chaos, and community, this one’s for you.Support Maya and Hospitality Action - Maya Gilbert is fundraising for Hospitality ActionLearn about Hospitality Action here - https://www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/And to sign up and support the walk for wellbeing, click here Final ThoughtsMaya’s story is more than an epic walk — it’s a love letter to hospitality, human kindness, and the messy, beautiful art of saying “why not?” instead of “what if?”Whether you’re in hospitality, need a reminder that good people are everywhere, or just fancy a laugh about fake IDs and too-heavy backpacks and soooo much more — this episode is the very definition of joyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  --------  

  1:12:08

  --------

  1:12:08
• #225 - Hospitality Meets Abigail Tan - Kindness, Chaos & a Lot of Toilet Paper

  Episode Summary:In this heartwarming and hilariously honest episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Abigail Tan, CEO of St Giles Hotels — a woman who’s equal parts rock star, rebel, and real-deal leader.From dreams of fronting a band to running an international hotel group, Abigail’s journey is a masterclass in following your heart (and occasionally your vacuum cleaner).Expect laughter, leadership lessons, and the occasional toilet paper obsession as Abigail opens up about imposter syndrome, resilience, kindness, and turning hospitality into a true force for good.We cover:Why failed rock careers make great hoteliersThe Great Toilet Paper Stockpile of PenangSurviving New York’s wild hotel scene (and a run-in with angry union reps)Why happiness is the ultimate business metricHow she turned lockdown hotels into safe havens for the homelessIt’s equal parts inspiring and ridiculous, the kind of episode that’ll make you laugh, think, and possibly re-evaluate your own toilet paper supply.Key TakeawaysHospitality Is Performance: Every front desk shift is a show but one built on warmth, not fakery.Happiness Is a Strategy: Abigail leads with joy, proving business success can be measured in smiles.Fail Forward: Imposter syndrome never fully goes away but learning (and laughing) through it is key.Hotels Can Heal: Through her charity Hotels of Heart, Abigail’s using hospitality to change lives.Leadership with Soul: Real leadership isn’t about hierarchy — it’s about humanity, humility, and humour.Memorable Quotes:“What’s life without elegance, playfulness and quirkiness? It’s too short”“You can have all the money in the world and still be lonely, happiness is the real success”“Bullies have always irked me. If they say yes or no, I say give me a legal reason”“Every hotel shift is a little performance, you’re there to make people feel something”“We had to keep our staff employed and our rooms empty, so we filled them with purpose”Final ThoughtsAbigail isn’t just running hotels, she’s redefining what hospitality means.Her story is equal parts humility and hilarity, proving that success built with heart beats status built on ego any day.If you want to be inspired, laugh, and believe in the good side of business again, this one’s a must listen.The GuestAbigail Tan is the CEO of St Giles Hotels, overseeing properties in London, Heathrow, Malaysia, and the Philippines. She’s the founder of Hotels of Heart, a charitable initiative connecting hospitality with social purpose. From housing the homeless to training young people for brighter futures.Show PartnersA big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses...

  --------  

  52:45

  --------

  52:45
• #224 - Hospitality Meets Billy Skelli-Cohen - Bold Mistakes, Bold Ideas

  Episode SummaryIn this inspiring episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with Billy Skelli-Cohen, CEO of Beaumier Hotels, a boutique group with 11 stunning properties across France, Switzerland, and Ibiza.Billy’s story is not your standard hospitality tale. In fact, he jokes that he’s “a bit of a fraud” because he’s never actually worked in a hotel. From starting out in retail, to private equity, to leading some of Europe’s most iconic hotel projects, Billy’s journey is proof that there’s no single path to the top in hospitality.Expect stories of bold ideas that paid off (a bike repair kit that became a PR sensation), bold mistakes (thinking Europe’s playbook would work in the US), and why listening twice as much as you talk might just be the best leadership hack out there (Must learn this, Phil)Key TakeawaysEmployee Experience First – “It’s impossible to deliver great guest experiences without first delivering great employee experiences.”Boldness Pays Off – Sometimes the smallest left-field ideas (like a Dutch bike kit in a hotel room) create the biggest impact.Culture Matters – What works in one country doesn’t always work in another; leadership is an art, not a science.Stay Curious – Great leaders ask questions, observe, and never stop learning.People > Projects – The proudest achievements aren’t hotels or awards, but watching people around you grow and flourish.Memorable Quotes“Hotels are never finished. There’s always something to improve, evolve, or reimagine.”“It’s impossible to provide good guest experience without a good employee experience first.”“I’m not afraid to say I now only want to work with people who are smarter than me.”“Sometimes the small, silly ideas end up becoming the PR story everyone talks about.”“I don’t look back too much. I don’t look too far ahead either. I try to stay in the present.”Final ThoughtsBilly’s journey is a reminder that hospitality isn’t just about hotels, it’s about people, culture, and curiosity. From repositioning icons like The Pulitzer in Amsterdam to building soulful luxury hotels in magical destinations, his leadership shows that staying bold, present, and people-first is the real key to growth.Show PartnersA big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  --------  

  52:00

  --------

  52:00
• #223 - Hospitality Meets Michelle Moreno - Elbowing Leonardo Di Caprio

  Episode SummaryIn this sparkling episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the unstoppable Michelle Moreno, founder of QAB Leadership (Is that really it's name Michelle?)From accidentally elbowing Leonardo DiCaprio to fangirling over Sarah Jessica Parker in the dark, Michelle’s journey through hospitality is as wild, funny, and inspiring as it gets.With a career that’s taken her from London’s hottest openings to Mykonos, India, and Mauritius, Michelle’s story is one of resilience, humour, and never taking herself too seriously. Along the way, she’s learned that imperfection is a superpower, leadership should be fun, and sometimes the best brand names are the ones people trip over.Expect celebrity encounters, cultural adventures, brutal honesty, and some cracking wisdom on careers, confidence, and carving your own path.Key TakeawaysImperfection = Strength – You don’t have to be polished to be powerful.Hospitality is Chaos & Magic – From elbowing Leo to opening 50+ restaurants, it’s never dull.Leadership with Laughter – Fun belongs in business; we’re a long time dead, so lighten up.Follow the Adventure – Careers aren’t linear; they zigzag through countries, cultures, and crises.Community is Everything – LinkedIn, kindness, and connection can change your career trajectory.Memorable Quotes"When you say QAB quickly, it sounds like Crap Leadership. But hey, people remember it”"I elbowed Leonardo DiCaprio in the stomach. Not on purpose… just because I was shit”“Life isn’t about change, it’s about evolution”“We’re a long time dead, so let’s make leadership fun”“I met Sarah Jessica Parker… and made a tit of myself in front of Matthew Broderick two nights in a row”Final ThoughtsMichelle’s story is a glorious reminder that success isn’t about straight lines or spotless CVs, it’s about saying yes, laughing at the chaos, and evolving along the way. From Nobu in Mykonos to “crap leadership” in London, her career proves that hospitality is a serious industry where fun, imperfection, and humanity always win.Show PartnersA big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  --------  

  1:06:09

  --------

  1:06:09
• #222 - Hospitality Meets Rob Flinter - Sweat, Royals & Rock ’n’ Roll

  Episode SummaryIn this laugh out loud episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the brilliant Rob Flinter, Area General Manager for London and Westmont Hospitality Group. Rob’s career has taken him from the frontline of hotels to rubbing shoulders with rockstars, rugby legends, and royalty with plenty of mishaps, laughs, and wisdom along the way.Expect tales of sweaty lift rides with Prince Philip, rockstars passed out under tables, and the moment Rob realised he was officially old (hint: it involves Kylie Minogue). Alongside the comedy, Rob shares refreshingly honest insights on leadership, vulnerability, and why hospitality is one of the most rewarding industries out there.We covered:Getting stuck in a lift with Prince Philip (and his twitchy bodyguard)Hosting rockstars, rugby icons, and pop legendsThe allergy question that broke hospitalityWhy “fake it till you make it” is terrible adviceHow vulnerability and honesty beat blagging every timeHospitality = Career & Comedy – A serious profession filled with ridiculous stories.Memorable Quotes"I’m not sure how calm I came across… more like a blabbering idiot sweating profusely in the corner of a lift.”“Fake it till you make it? Absolute rubbish.”“Kylie Minogue walked in and the kids went, ‘who’s that?’… I thought, oh God, I’m ancient.”“Hospitality is a career that can take you anywhere — and you’ll laugh a lot along the way.”Final ThoughtsRob’s journey is a reminder that hospitality is equal parts chaos, comedy, and camaraderie. From royal encounters to rock ’n’ roll mayhem, he shows that leading with honesty and humour makes for not just a better GM, but a better human being.Show PartnersA big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/philThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

  --------  

  59:24

  --------

  59:24

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street

Hospitality Meets... with Phil Street: Podcasts in Family