In their conversation titled "Scaling Up or Staying Lean: StepStone Hospitality on Leadership, Growth, and Empowering GMs," they explored how StepStone has grown from a single property in 2007 to a 30+ hotel portfolio in 2025, positioned at a critical inflection point for deciding whether to remain lean or pursue aggressive scaling. Together, they discussed the pivotal role of general managers as "CEOs of their hotels," the balancing act between owner expectations and on-the-ground realities, the practical impact of tech innovations in freeing up time for guest service, and the strategic importance of "growth from within" through investing in people and empowering internal talent. A standout quote from the podcast: "We're in a people business. It's all about finding the right people and giving them the tools to succeed."
