Peer Perspective: Consideration of Inward-Facing Hospitality and True Meaning of Lifestyle Branding
As our industry continues to speak about “lifestyles” for franchisors launching flags and brands resonating with guests, the orientation largely is outward facing. How will a new product attract owners and their prospective customers? Scaling is the corporate priority of today as institutional investors have entered the hospitality space and private equity-backed groups have prioritized growth (sometimes for growth’s sake).
The prevalence of the capitalistic mindset creates a distorted view of which businesses are actually successful. For example, it’s odd that we celebrate companies that raise money, rather than celebrating them for the value they create with that money.
A company would never throw a party or publish a press release for taking out a bank loan, but doing so isn’t really different from raising a Series
Either way, the company is taking money that must eventually be paid back in one form or another. There is nothing wrong with the institutional model. However, it’s crucial for leaders to understand the odds in that space. Fortunately, MMI has run a profitable business that gave its founders the time to serve more than their business and create a happier, more productive team, a loyal customer base, and space to share their success with those who serve throughout the organization. It’s truly a lifestyle story of a different sort.
Robert Glazer of Friday Forward states, “Ambition is great, but only if you remember two things. Firstly ambitious people often struggle to appreciate when they have enough. Secondly we only get one trip on this journey called life. Having a business, job or vocation that fulfills you professionally while also giving you time for the people and things that matter most to you outside of work is nothing to criticize."
In the last seven days, MMI has had the great honor of recognizing several tenured team members.
Last Friday, Mike Hart surpassed 48 years of financial guidance to the MMI organization. Tuesday, Daisy Eubanks celebrated 50 years of culinary service. Lisa Knox surpassed 27 years as a housekeeper. Wednesday, Ken Lewis hit the 10-year mark as a restaurant front of house leader. Today, Jessica Humphreys is being recognized for 25 years of accounting support. Next Monday, (I’m stretching beyond a week, but she deserves it!) Danielle Davis will have served as a MMI golf club pro and leader for 15 years.
Yes, MMI Hotel Group has a storied history of developing and operating lifestyle branded hotels and restaurants with and without franchised flags flying outside, but tenured team members like Mike, Daisy and Jessica are who have turned these spaces into places.
I’d say MMI has always been in the lifestyle business because there has been care and consideration of inward-facing hospitality. When our co-founder Earle Jones stated, “Our people are our most precious assets,” more than sixty years ago, he recognized that a business cannot sustain its success without the tenure and wisdom of team members throughout the organization.
The prevalence of the capitalistic mindset creates a distorted view of which businesses are actually successful. For example, it’s odd that we celebrate companies that raise money, rather than celebrating them for the value they create with that money.
A company would never throw a party or publish a press release for taking out a bank loan, but doing so isn’t really different from raising a Series
Either way, the company is taking money that must eventually be paid back in one form or another. There is nothing wrong with the institutional model. However, it’s crucial for leaders to understand the odds in that space. Fortunately, MMI has run a profitable business that gave its founders the time to serve more than their business and create a happier, more productive team, a loyal customer base, and space to share their success with those who serve throughout the organization. It’s truly a lifestyle story of a different sort.
Robert Glazer of Friday Forward states, “Ambition is great, but only if you remember two things. Firstly ambitious people often struggle to appreciate when they have enough. Secondly we only get one trip on this journey called life. Having a business, job or vocation that fulfills you professionally while also giving you time for the people and things that matter most to you outside of work is nothing to criticize."
In the last seven days, MMI has had the great honor of recognizing several tenured team members.
Last Friday, Mike Hart surpassed 48 years of financial guidance to the MMI organization. Tuesday, Daisy Eubanks celebrated 50 years of culinary service. Lisa Knox surpassed 27 years as a housekeeper. Wednesday, Ken Lewis hit the 10-year mark as a restaurant front of house leader. Today, Jessica Humphreys is being recognized for 25 years of accounting support. Next Monday, (I’m stretching beyond a week, but she deserves it!) Danielle Davis will have served as a MMI golf club pro and leader for 15 years.
Yes, MMI Hotel Group has a storied history of developing and operating lifestyle branded hotels and restaurants with and without franchised flags flying outside, but tenured team members like Mike, Daisy and Jessica are who have turned these spaces into places.
I’d say MMI has always been in the lifestyle business because there has been care and consideration of inward-facing hospitality. When our co-founder Earle Jones stated, “Our people are our most precious assets,” more than sixty years ago, he recognized that a business cannot sustain its success without the tenure and wisdom of team members throughout the organization.