Level up with Hakim

Explore how buyer-first AI could reshape online shopping and hospitality. Hakim speaks with VendeeX Labs co-founders Dr. Darryl Carlton and Ross Gardiner about data privacy, buyer control, spending safeguards, and what hotels may need to prepare for agentic commerce.Chapters:0:12 Welcome and guest introductions1:25 Why build for agentic commerce?3:53 The idea behind VendeeX5:21 Data ownership and buyer control8:40 What buyer sovereignty means12:15 Ranking, revenue, and conflicts of interest18:27 Safeguards for AI-driven purchases24:50 Spending controls in plain English27:12 What AI shopping could mean for travel30:30 How AI agents may change hotel discovery35:02 VendeeX’s vision for agentic commerce37:28 Advice for buyers and merchants39:23 What “level up” means to the guestsConnect with Ross https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossgardiner/connect with Darryl https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrylcarlton/Apple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

DescriptionWhat does it take to build a business people want to work with? Hakim talks with Emily Edwards, a commercial advisor, coach and creator of Magnetic Foundership. They cover leaving corporate life, the four levels founders move through, and using AI without losing your own judgment.Chapters0:00 Cold open0:16 Welcome and introducing Emily1:10 Who is Emily Edwards?2:43 Falling into the travel industry4:04 Why a commercial path5:28 Breaking the cycle and the move to coaching8:29 Leaving corporate to build a business10:28 The hardest part of going from employee to founder11:56 What Emily is building now15:15 The four levels of Magnetic Foundership19:55 The biggest problems founders face22:57 Shifts in travel and hotel tech26:35 Using AI without the echo chamber30:30 The hardest lesson: no one's coming to save you32:15 Advice for founders who feel overwhelmed33:18 What commercial success and leveling up meanThis is a draft only. I haven't published or exported anything.Connect with Emily https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyedwardscoaching/Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4ms6FNOCeymLf0f3g00PDs?si=kpbj5tE_TjWDmPE9RSop_gApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Hospitality tech has a talent problem, but it is not the one most people think. The real gap is trust, context, and knowing who actually fits where, and this conversation with Chris and Ed shows why the old CV-and-LinkedIn model is breaking down.Chris and Ed, the co-founders of Hospitality Tech Jobs, explain how they are building a more human way to connect people, companies, and opportunities across hotel tech. Chris brings more than 12 years inside the hotel tech ecosystem, while Ed draws on his background in HR, pre-openings, and supporting 30+ hotel openings to spot what recruiters usually miss.You'll discover:Why hotel tech hiring fails when companies lead with brand instead of fitHow honest conversations uncover what candidates really want, from pay to environment to purposeWhy a six-month guarantee forces better hiring decisionsWhat makes hotel tech different from general recruiting, and why specialization mattersHow salary benchmarking, sentiment data, and deep industry knowledge change the hiring gameYouTube chapter ideas00:00 - Why hospitality tech has a talent problem01:50 - How Chris and Ed became the connectors07:26 - What hotel tech actually includes11:23 - The secret to better matching candidates15:06 - Why network beats transactional recruiting24:25 - What makes Hospitality Tech Jobs different34:41 - How to break into hotel tech46:45 - The AI-human balance in recruiting64:40 - What level up means nowConnect with Ed https://www.linkedin.com/in/edouardclark/connect with Christopher https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophirving/https://hospitalitytechjobs.com/Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/33j6ATA09iOBqqKC7gjcVe?si=AJ_8CFkiT1yktJQKGS63QgApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Can Your Business Grow Without You? Escaping the Operator Trap with Mike DeJongIs your business growing or does everything still depend on you? In this episode of Level Up, Hakim Omar talks with Mike DeJong, author of Grow Smart, Your Path to Freedom, about escaping the “operator trap” and building a business that can run and grow without its owner at the center of every decision.Mike draws on experience across aviation, international manufacturing, franchising, turnarounds, real estate, and small business. He shares the wake-up call that changed his approach, the systems and habits that helped him step back, and the lessons he learned while helping businesses improve performance.Guest links Website: mikedejong.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikedejongspeakerTimestamps00:00 Can your business run and grow without you?00:51 Meet Mike DeJong02:30 Why Mike began helping business owners04:01 What a business that runs without its owner looks like05:37 Healthy owner involvement vs. unhealthy dependency08:14 From aviation and franchising to the operator trap09:24 The Mexico trip that became a wake-up call10:16 Why Mike started building procedures and systems12:10 The moment his team told him to leave14:09 The leadership lesson: stop answering every question14:34 Creating a culture of responsibility without blame16:04 A turnaround story: from -12% to +23%18:19 The small customer-experience details that matter20:15 Early signs you’re trapped in the operation23:26 Which procedures should owners document first?26:04 Decisions that should no longer return to the owner29:21 What to build first: systems, people, or metrics?30:14 Buying back time to work on the business32:14 How often should owners review performance?35:46 Common delegation mistakes38:08 A costly example of ignoring procedures40:04 AI, automation, and the operator trap43:17 AI’s impact on jobs and business46:45 Advice for people starting a business49:49 A sales mindset that makes rejection easier53:01 What does “Level Up” mean to Mike?54:28 Closing thoughtsSpotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6jYqx0kCudPFAhVp08D5lY?si=5KeL4fhJTSSGs9KN0UW0tAApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

YouTube descriptionJan Heuninck is the CEO of Hotel Speaker, an Olympic sailor, and a founder with an unconventional path, from leaving university to scaling a Web3 company to 94 employees and millions of users. In this episode of Level Up, Jan shares how sport shaped his discipline, what rapid growth really feels like, and why hospitality technology should make service more human not less. We also explore how Hotel Speaker helps hotels turn guest reviews into stronger relationships and better business decisions.Timestamps00:00 — Introduction to Jan Heuninck01:18 — Entrepreneurship, sailing, and Jan’s background02:28 — Building a disciplined daily routine04:02 — Why Jan left university to build businesses06:17 — Scaling a Web3 company at speed09:12 — Moving from Web3 into hospitality technology11:36 — What Hotel Speaker does13:28 — Why hotel review responses matter15:41 — How Hotel Speaker works with new hotels18:04 — Giving hotel teams more time for guests20:14 — Balancing AI with human expertise23:11 — The biggest online-reputation mistakes hotels make24:53 — The future of AI in hospitality27:46 — Time-management advice for founders29:34 — Handling setbacks and staying motivated31:10 — What “Level Up” means to Jan32:17 — ClosingConnect with Jan https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-heuninck/HotelSpeaker http://www.hotelspeaker.comSpotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/1RSYVYYt4o2iwJaf2njKjJ?si=Cz5-wI_cR8i0ssapnTWaEgApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

How Career Coaching and Luxury Travel Both Start With the Same QuestionHakim speaks with Kanku Michelsen, a senior career coach and luxury travel advisor, about the shared mindset behind navigating career transitions and planning meaningful travel. The conversation centers on one powerful idea: whether you are rebuilding after a layoff or trying to reset on vacation, the first step is to get clear on what you actually want.Kanku explains how her portfolio career evolved from a personal identity shift, why she takes an inside-out approach to travel planning, and how she helps executives move through grief, clarity, and courage before rushing into the next opportunity.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome and why travel and career transitions belong in the same conversation01:18 - Kanku Michelsen’s portfolio career: executive coaching and luxury travel02:12 - The personal turning point that led her into travel advising04:33 - Why she researched the travel industry for years before launching06:19 - Why ambiguity is the common thread between coaching and travel07:17 - Why busy executives take time off seriously, but often plan it too mechanically09:29 - Her inside-out framework for planning trips around purpose and experience12:16 - The biggest misconception leaders have about career transitions13:15 - Why “Who am I now?” is the key question after a layoff or reinvention16:28 - The first practical step before touching a resume or LinkedIn profile18:19 - Why career transitions often need one small step at a time20:12 - How she balances emotional processing with forward-looking strategy21:05 - Why some people need months, not days, to detach from a long-held role22:52 - Why her corporate background helps her understand executive travel needs25:05 - The most common mistake in the first 30 days after a career loss27:45 - Where AI helps in coaching and travel, and where it falls short31:13 - Why AI will change jobs, but not replace human connection34:09 - Why personalized travel advising is growing, not shrinking38:08 - The first real step for someone going through a transition40:16 - What “level up” means to Kanku: clarity, honesty, and honoring what matters nowConnect with Kanku https://www.linkedin.com/in/kankumichelsen/Also watch and listen on:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Ed3dWmcL9F4B6c7ZZGCkI?si=bHowYxyYRXaUTwqcCTq1OwApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

How David Moore designs events people actually rememberIn this episode, Hakim speaks with David Moore, CEO and director of fun at Moore Style Events, about what separates a smooth event from a memorable one. David brings more than 20 years of experience designing executive meetings, leadership summits, conferences, product launches, and customer events around the world.We discuss how guest experience starts long before attendees arrive, why relationships with hotel teams matter so much, and how AI may streamline event planning without replacing the human touch.Timestamps(00:00) Why most events are forgotten quickly(00:36) Meet David Moore, director of fun(01:38) How the director of fun title came to be(03:30) Why smaller, more personal events stand out(05:17) What separates smooth events from memorable ones(07:29) David’s five Ws framework for planning(09:15) Why event budgets often surprise first timers(12:22) Guest experience starts before the event begins(13:40) Personalization that makes guests feel known(16:10) The hardest part of international event planning(21:36) What makes a hotel team trustworthy(24:41) First impressions during a site visit(29:29) The most misunderstood part of hotel collaboration(35:44) What makes a strong hotel proposal stand out(39:12) Relationship first, delivery second(40:51) When promises about internet and space fall apart(43:51) The future of events and AI(52:49) Virtual events versus in person experiences(54:54) Rapid fire: underrated registration, communication, and welcome(56:14) What leveling up means in eventsConnect with David via Linedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlmoore/Websitehttp://www.moorestyleevents.comAlso watch and listen on:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nOZlxK9K5yK7max9lWvPF?si=2IbMNGISQym_5ATJM3iMugApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

EPISODE DESCRIPTION - Ready to publishMost hotel brands don’t fail on product - they fail on relevance. Regitze, founder of Rose Nordic Hospitality PR and positioning agency, reveals why the Nordics reward cultural intelligence, not copy-paste luxury.If you’re a hotel, retreat, or travel brand trying to break into Scandinavia, this conversation shows why visibility starts long before publicity. Regitze has spent more than a decade working across hospitality, storytelling, strategic communication, and market positioning, and she explains what international brands consistently miss when they try to “enter the Nordics.”You’ll discover why authenticity in this market is not a marketing word but a test of whether the guest experience, brand promise, people, and place actually align. We break down why positioning has to come before PR, why “Nordic-looking” is not the same as being Nordic-relevant, and why concepts like wellness, sustainability, and quiet luxury only work when they are built into the entire operation - not just added to the pitch deck.Regitze also shares what Nordic travelers really respond to, from simplicity and sense of place to human connection, architectural integrity, and genuine hospitality. Suggested YouTube chapters:00:00 Why hotel visibility starts with relevance02:23 What international brands get wrong in the Nordics03:42 Positioning before PR05:07 What Nordic travelers really want07:37 Why “Nordic-looking” is not enough09:52 Why entering the market takes years12:21 Why publicity without positioning fails16:21 Storytelling that actually works21:43 Wellness as a philosophy, not a label27:11 Hotels becoming destinations28:42 Where Nordic hospitality is headed33:37 What hospitality should never automate36:48 AI, sameness, and brand identity39:14 Rapid fire: trends, brands, and what level up meansConnect with Regitze https://www.linkedin.com/in/regitze-cecilie-rosenvinge-4b375b39/Rose Hospitality advisory https://www.linkedin.com/company/rosenordic/Also watch on: https://open.spotify.com/episode/344CtyJKq4LXbaBK82h71z?si=gdlORkq-RauuKuEa-EbUpQApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Hospitality training is broken, and VR may be the fixThis episode explores why traditional hospitality training often fails under real pressure and what needs to change. Hakim speaks with Alison Magee-Barker F.I.H, founder and CEO of AG Lakes Consultancy and Immersive XP, about building scenario-based VR training that helps teams practice guest complaints, service recovery, leadership moments, and decision-making before those moments happen on the floor.Alison also explains how Immersive XP uses short modules, analytics, eye-contact assessment, and replay feedback to improve confidence, consistency, and retention in hospitality teams.Timestamps(00:00) Hospitality does not have a motivation problem(01:44) Why current training feels irrelevant and repetitive(04:00) Promoting great staff without teaching leadership(06:08) How AG Lakes Training Academy began during the pandemic(08:10) A Roblox moment that sparked Immersive XP(10:48) The real signs that a training system is failing(13:22) What a VR hospitality scenario feels like in practice(15:03) Eye-contact scoring and guest connection(16:16) Short scenarios, game over, and instant retries(17:09) Management portal, analytics, and leaderboard features(18:54) Core modules in the MVP and founder partner opportunities(23:10) Why service recovery creates guest ambassadors(25:51) Training, retention, and the cost of poor culture(30:10) How technology can make hospitality more human(40:45) Measuring ROI from training and reduced turnover(42:59) How onboarding and licensing work with hotels(45:54) The next five years of hospitality and immersive learning(47:57) What Alison would remove from current training structures(52:18) What “level up” means to Alison(54:43) VR retention rates compared with other training formats(55:36) Free trial and closing thoughts

Unlock the Secrets of Building Long-Lasting Client Relationships and Sales Mastery with Iggy FisherWhat does it truly take to develop resilience, trust, and long-term success in sales and hospitality? Iggy Fisher, Vice President of Club Quarters Hotels, shares his transformative journey from a Bosnian refugee to a hospitality sales leader. Discover how genuine connections, a people-centric culture, and intuitive listening elevate sales beyond mere transactions plus, how AI is shaping the future of customer engagement without replacing the human touch. In this episode, Iggy reveals the pivotal moments that shifted his career from early front desk roles to leading global sales highlighting why talent, authenticity, and a future-focused mindset are non-negotiable. You'll learn his unique approach to sales excellence, emphasizing talent over process, and how asking questions and active listening unlock customer needs often hidden beneath the surface. He emphasizes that great salespeople don’t just manage relationships they build trust that lasts decadesTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode overview00:25 - Iggy's early career and transition into sales01:37 - The influence of mentorship and relationship-building in hospitality02:24 - How hospitality culture and innovation define Club Quarters' success03:46 - The significance of asking questions and understanding client needs04:39 - The distinction between good and great salespeople: future mindset and relationship focus06:20 - Shifting from front office to sales for stability and growth07:44 - Leadership insights: Building a strong sales culture and coaching09:02 - Explaining Club Quarters’ brand and membership model11:49 - Post-COVID evolution of corporate travel and booking technology13:11 - The human connection as a core element of customer loyalty15:40 - What sales excellence looks like: talent, support, and culture18:48 - The role of leadership in enabling sales success20:19 - The influence of AI: automating mundane tasks versus maintaining emotional connection31:29 - How AI is transforming travel booking and data management38:18 - Industry changes post-pandemic and the future of business travel44:30 - Navigating industry challenges and innovations with technology46:53 - Building motivated, accountable, and confident sales teams50:36 - The importance of setting ambitious goals and continuous learning55:03 - Valuable advice for aspiring sales professionals56:01 - What does leveling up mean to Iggy?57:50 - Final thoughts and closing notesConnect with Iggy https://www.linkedin.com/in/iggy-fisher-52346051/Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Pt1j3SobW8Rd5FueKeskV?si=SDqBEKOJTzGEEAitYOTKPAApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim