Hospitality from Within

Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 54 - The greatest storytellers are tour guides with Angelo CarotenutoListening to Angelo connect his dots backwards on how he founded LivTours leaves us with no surprise that his path led him to create business to curate unique experiences through tours. This collaborative conversation feels like a story every step of the way!About AngeloAngelo Carotenuto, founder of LivTours, has been transforming travel since 2009 by creating intimate, unforgettable experiences across Europe. Starting as a tour guide and performer in his hometown of Rome, Angelo saw the demand for authentic, small-group and private tours and launched LivTours (formerly LivItaly Tours). A hands-on leader, he forges partnerships, trains expert guides, and supports a global team dedicated to delivering top-rated, hand-crafted travel moments.Thanks for tuning in to today’s episode. If you’re ready to dive deeper into leadership and clear the sticky energy that can hold teams back, head over to The School of Hospitality from Within. You’ll find powerful resources designed to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and connection.As a valued member of our podcast community, you can use the code COMMUNITY20 at checkout to receive 20% off the Lead with Confidence Membership. This gives you full access to leadership courses, videos, worksheets, guidebooks, and so much more to support your growth.Until next time, lead confidently and keep it only yummy, always. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

What I have learnt about myself through understanding how literal I am is that I need to communicate very directly with people that I believe everything they say at face value, unless I can read in their body language or voice that they are joking or being dishonest. It feels so vulnerable to share this off the bat and I have to. I’ve been hurt many times because when someone may be joking or being sarcastic about something, I take it seriously and to heart. Which means I’ve wasted time on assignments or projects before because I listened and then acted on it. This never felt good.Understanding your and others’ language is crucial to establishing communication bridges and trust within a team. Assumptions that we all understand when one is kidding around is hurtful and unkind. It creates that sticky and prickly energy that is so hard to recover from.If you feel seen by reading this - you’re not alone - there are many of us are walk this path of taking everything literally.For a full article and tools on supporting yourself or a colleague who is literal - subscribe to Hospitality from Within here. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 50 What energizes you and makes you happy is what you should be doing with your life with Matt HunnelMatt’s energy and care for the people he gets the opportunity to work with is unique and unlike most leaders you may cross paths with. His dedication and commitment to himself and the teams he works with is powerful and obvious. Matt shares his path that was always paved with the desire to learn more, be more respectful to his peers, and advance his career forward. He is now an owner / operator of TRUCE in Chicago - almost one year to celebrate with so much to recognize and what he is most proud of is the team he gets to work with and the leader and human he has evolved into today. About MattMatt Hunnel is a Chicago-based bar owner and hospitality veteran. His roots in this industry stem from Lincoln, Nebraska, beginning a lifelong career of infusing midwestern hospitality and a selfless sense of community in each shake, stir, and pre-shift led. In the past ten years, Matt has led cocktail programs at iconic Chicago catalysts like 2-Michelin starred restaurant, L2O, and Jimmy at the James Hotel, as well as been a hospitality leader in larger-than-life staples like Cindy's Rooftop and RH, having the opportunity to lead hundreds of emerging hospitality professionals in service, wine, and the art of opening new businesses. Over the past two years, Matt has been working alongside his business partners at Good Company Hospitality Group to open TRUCE, one of Chicago's top new bars, offering coffee and cocktails, and that deeply intentional midwestern hospitality that started it all. In his rare-but-free time, Matt can be found doing leg workouts at the gym, watching reruns of Rupaul's Drag Race with his fiancé David, or daydreaming about what the next hospitality space he and his team will open next.For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. As a part of the community, use the discount code : COMMUNITY20 for 20% off the Lead with Confidence Membership that unlocks access to leadership courses, videos, worksheets, guidebooks and more! Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 48 Being back in a learning role with Darcy SpenceThis conversation is the definition of leading oneself and trusting intuition. Darcy’s journey is far from linear and each corner that she was curious to explore led her to her next chapter. Darcy shares everything she learnt each part of the way. It wasn’t always full of joy and she found herself burn out more than she would’ve hoped but even those moments brought her to her next opportunity. More importantly, her last burn out taught her how to lead herself, how to put on her own oxygen mask first and to be brave and set boundaries. This is a very raw and vulnerable conversation with so many impactful lessons that we can all benefit from! And thank you Darcy for giving a shout out to all of your mentors and collaborators who were a part of your journey!About DarcyDarcy grew up as a picky eater with a sweet tooth in Massachusetts. While studying architecture at UC Berkeley, she fell in love with California produce. Through meals with friends and many many books, she began to explore ingredients (especially fruit) and cooking. After graduating college in 2016, Darcy moved to New York City, where she landed her first kitchen job between architecture internships. She got swept up into cooking professionally, mostly on the pastry side, and contributed to menus at places including Superiority Burger, Yellow Rose, Leo, Saraghina, and numerous popups. In spring of 2024 she moved to Martha’s Vineyard to help open the new Beetlebung Farm bakery and to try out life a little closer to the beach. Darcy has a Substack called BUSTUB where she shares her favorite recipes and adaptations, as well as the ingredients, tools, books, and people that have shaped her as a cook. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. As a part of the community, use discount code : COMMUNITY20 for 20% off the Lead with Confidence Membership that unlocks access to leadership courses, videos, worksheets, guidebooks and more! Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 46 Moving with integrity with D RooneyD speaks honestly and openly about her journey of being a co-founder of Rock Steady Farm. Intuition, activism and community are all at the core of who D is and how they lead themselves each day. This conversation is a look inside how passionate, caring and compassionate the farming community is. D prides themselves in being a steward of the land and that’s how they teach others to think about the soil and all of those that came before us. About DSince 2012, D (all pronouns) has dedicated their life, spirit, and energy to the radical dreams and actions of being in collaboration with many to create spaces of belonging and upliftment as a farmer, teacher, and organizer within food systems work. At that time, D became a student and member of the Farm School NYC community and credits it with providing them with the lens to see a world that requires collective change and the conditions and opportunities to discover their own power and voice. Since then, D has gone on to be a co-founder, worker-owner, and Director of Farm Operations at Rock Steady Farm, where for the last nine years D has worked incredibly hard to create a project that demonstrates strong values and commitment to their rich communities. D’s work pursues the cultivation of collective liberation through acts of empowerment, growing nourishing food for many with a reverence for nature and with deep relational care of each other and all of our ecosystems.For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. As a part of the community, use discount code : COMMUNITY20 for 20% off the Lead with Confidence Membership that unlocks access to leadership courses, videos, worksheets, guidebooks and more! Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 44 - Learning the power of no and prioritizing because there’s only so much one person can do with Carli GordonCarli is an ultimate community builder that has led her to found The Libi Project. Carli shares with honesty the transition from a full time job to starting her business that is her heart’s calling. There have been a lot of learning opportunities for her along the way, continuously working towards the power of no as well as pausing and being present. About CarliCarli’s career sits at the intersection of food and community. A Chicago native, she earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to Italy to pursue a master’s in World Food Cultures & Mobility from The University of Gastronomic Sciences. There, she deepened her understanding of the cultural, political, and social intersections shaping our food systems—insights that continue to guide and inspire her work today.In 2021, Carli returned to New York City to advance her career in the city’s vibrant food and beverage industry. After gaining experience in brand, operations, and events at leading organizations such as Eataly, BentoBox, Hot Bread Kitchen, and Resident Hospitality, she set out to carve her own path. This led to the creation of The Libi Project, a mission-driven production and creative studio dedicated to uplifting early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs, farmers, producers and programming.Through initiatives like Culinary Industry Nights, The Libi Project celebrates innovative, mission-driven work in the diverse F&B world, fostering meaningful connections, collaboration, and partnerships. To further this mission, Carli supports early-stage entrepreneurs through First Course, a comprehensive starter pack that combines strategic insights, branding, and photography to empower culinary creatives and build strong brand foundations that reflect the passion and creativity they bring to their craft. From photography to branding support, it’s all about helping these entrepreneurs thrive in this beautiful, passion-driven (yet often challenging) industry. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 42 - The key skill that every leader needs to have is listening with Naureen AhmedNaureen was the first podcast host that created the space for me to share my leadership story and I’m honored to have her on as a guest here to shine light on hers. Naureen tells a story unlike most do, with calm, poise and confidence. She shares so openly what feedback was given to her throughout her career and moments that she learned from to help her grow. Listen attentively to this delightful conversation - I promise you, you will want to take notes! About NaureenNaureen Ahmed is a seasoned hospitality professional, a fervent community builder, an engaging storyteller, and the visionary founder of ‘Inspiring Women in Hospitality’.With a life journey that saw her living in four different countries by the age of 10, Naureen's path to the hospitality industry felt predestined. Her academic pursuits led her to the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, where she felt an immediate kinship with fellow students, each with their own unique stories.Embarking on her career with a position at the Landmark London Hotel, Naureen quickly embraced the operational aspects of hospitality, setting the stage for a significant tenure at STR. Over 12 years, she transitioned through roles from analyst to head of departments, playing a pivotal role in transforming STR into the recognized brand it is today. Naureen's leadership style is marked by inclusivity and a focus on building multicultural team environments.Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in hospitality, Naureen launched the ‘Inspiring Women in Hospitality’ podcast to amplify female voices and inspire change within the industry. Her efforts expanded in September 2023 with the creation of the Inspire Community, a platform designed to foster support among women through mentorship and career development discussionsFor more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within and join the Lead with Confidence membership. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 40 - Not every culture is for every person and that’s ok - that’s a sign of healthy culture with Sarah DiehlSarah began her career in operations and quickly saw the need to support restaurant owners and teams in helping them create more inviting cultures. She shares her journey and what made her found Empowered Hospitality - it wasn’t linear and all the learning opportunities showed up at the right time to help her pivot. Through these moments, she had continuously come back to herself, redefine what community has meant to her and it has all lead her to creating a really special and unique culture at EH, while helping restaurant owners do the same. Sarah is a gem of a human and steps into a bit of discomfort with me during this conversation to let me shine light on the incredibly inspiring and kind human and leader she is! About SarahSarah began her career in restaurant operations with Hillstone Restaurant Group, becoming one of the youngest general managers at a $10m+ location before transitioning to a corporate HR role. After several years as an HR director, however, her position was eliminated, prompting her to pursue a similar HR leadership role in NYC's bustling hospitality industry. To her dismay, many of the small hospitality businesses she was drawn to simply did not need full-time HR support, despite their struggle with HR. In many of these initial conversations, Sarah instinctively pivoted her interview into a strategy session, focusing not on her career goals but on the HR needs of each business - often offering to complete small HR projects as a freelancer. A few months of working in this capacity was all Sarah needed to embrace her calling to build a sustainable, scalable consulting business. Empowered Hospitality was born. Sarah earned her bachelor’s in political science with honors from Yale and holds SHRM-SCP, WSET Advanced (Wine & Spirits Educational Trust), and CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) certifications. Sarah was selected as a 2021 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow for her passion for building an equitable, collaborative, and socially conscious small business, is a perennial speaker at the annual FAB Conference in Charleston, SC, a frequent panelist on topics related to people and organization for the James Beard Foundation, and a guest lecturer at the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University.For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 38 - I never had a plan but I was always guided by what was curious to me with Jon CheckJon is down to earth and the realest - there's no BS here. He is true to himself and it shows in his leadership. Jon took the paths unknown in his career knowing that trusting his curiosity and gut would always lead him to his next role. To no surprise, trust is deeply rooted in the foundation of his leadership style and voice. Jon shares with us his career path and how he builds trust with his teams. About JonJon Check is Head of Culinary and Operations at INDAY, a fine-casual restaurant company rooted in Indian cuisine and philosophy. Prior to joining INDAY, Jon was Director of Culinary Operations for Dig, Where he led the menu team and the Research and Development Department. Jon has cooked in some of New York City's most beloved and interesting restaurants, including Savoy, Gramercy Tavern, Vinegar Hill House and Buttermilk Channel, where he was Head Chef. He holds a B.A. in Creative Nonfiction Writing and African Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. Jon is also a life-long musician who has independently released 4 albums of original music. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 36 - What would it look like if we sought out wildly different perspectives than our own with Kira O’BrienKira joins me in a very honest conversation rooted in community values, curiosity of understanding each other’s languages and how to shine light on those around us. Kira and I share many of the same values and perspectives on the world and we have two very special things in common - both born and raised New Yorkers and we share the same birthday! I like to believe this is a ground for our ease in conversation flow and sharing to better help anyone that is listening or crosses our paths. Kira also brings up a hot topic of how to navigate networking and stepping away from the small talk. We workshop questions and get really real about what types of questions you can ask at your next working event to get to know someone on a deeper level instead of discussing the weather, the coffee or topics that not everyone can relate to. About KiraDr. Kira O’Brien, LSW - New York Director & Chief Human Resources OfficerBringing with her a passion for community, empowerment and education, Dr. Kira O'Brien is the NY Director and CHRO for Emma's Torch, a nonprofit social enterprise that focuses on refugee empowerment through culinary education. Before joining Emma's Torch, Kira's career as a Social Worker spanned from welcoming newly arrived refugees at the International Rescue Committee to supporting undergraduates in social justice work at Princeton University. A recent from the Rutgers School of Social Work, Kira's doctoral research focused on the role of experiential education in empowerment: how learning through doing can shape who we are and how we see ourselves in the world. She can think of no better example for this than right in the kitchen at Emma's Torch.In addition to her work at Emma's Torch, Kira teaches in the Rutgers School of Social Work masters program and serves on the board of Catalyst Kitchens. A Brooklyn native and Queens transplant, Kira spends most of her free time trying new foods, debating the characteristics of the perfect slice of pizza, reading science fiction and being bossed around by her cats, Yoda & Jonesy (from star wars and alien respectively). You can also read more about what lights Kira’s up on her substack. Download our "Networking with purpose" filled with questions you can ask at events or use as icebreakers in team meeting. For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit The School of Hospitality from Within. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe