Building Hotels, Building Resilience: How I Became CEO (And How I'm Empowering Others Now)

Together with

Sima Patel is the co-founder and CEO of Ridgemont Hospitality, a San Francisco Bay Area-based hospitality development and management company, and today, you'll hear her story of grit, resilience, and success in hospitality, which will inspire you to be your best and empower others.

TOGETHER WITH OTELIER

Meet Otelier: The Hospitality Software Behind Every Great Host

MDO, Datavision, Focal Revenue, HelloGM, and InTouch are now Otelier. They optimize performance for hotel owners and operators by harnessing data, easing decision-making, and automating the mundane to release hoteliers back into hospitality.

Otelier's product suite is built to optimize your portfolio’s performance and make your job more rewarding, presenting the right information for you to make the best decisions more quickly and improve operational efficiency.

FEATURE STORY

How I Became CEO (And How I'm Empowering Others Now)

with Sima Patel, CEO at Ridgemont Hospitality

"Women have faced tough issues all their lives in history," Sima Patel told me. Her story is full of grit, resilience, tenacity, and, ultimately, success.

Today, Sima is one of the most widely respected leaders in hospitality, earning recognition as Hotelier of the Year by AAHOA and becoming the first board-elected Chair of Visit California, among other recognitions. Our conversation today will inspire you to be your best and empower others.

Listen to our conversation here now

A few takeaways:

• Resilience is Key: The hospitality industry (and life!) can be demanding. Sima’s story highlights the need for resilience in the face of long hours, challenging guests, and unexpected setbacks. Cultivate a culture of perseverance and support within your team.

• Overcome Adversity with Action: When faced with a setback, like the delayed opening of a hotel, take decisive action. Rally your team and do what it takes to turn the situation around. This can-do attitude is infectious and can lead to success.

• Continuous Learning: Sima had to learn many aspects of the hospitality business on the fly. Encourage continuous learning and development within your team to keep up with industry changes and foster innovation.

• Personal Connection Matters: Make an effort to connect with your employees on a personal level. Ask about their families and well-being. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty, which can lead to a more motivated and dedicated workforce.

• Hands-On Leadership: Don't just stay behind the desk. Visit your hotels, interact with guests and staff, and stay involved in the day-to-day operations. This hands-on approach can lead to better insights and a stronger connection with your business.

• Empower Your Team: Sima emphasizes the importance of believing in your employees and empowering them to grow. As a hospitality leader, actively encourage and support your team members to take on new challenges and advance in their careers.

• Promote from Within: Recognize potential in your team members and promote from within whenever possible. This not only motivates your team but also ensures that leadership understands the business from the ground up.

Listen to our full conversation here now