Masters of Moments

In this solo year end episode of Masters of Moments, Jake Wurzak reflects on the highs, lows, and hard lessons from 2025 across his hospitality portfolio and broader business journey. He walks through recent acquisitions, operational wins, and exits, while candidly unpacking mistakes around debt timing, goal setting, and team management. Jake also shares how shifting guest preferences, declining RevPAR, and rising costs are reshaping the hotel industry, and why experiential and luxury assets continue to outperform. The episode closes with a forward looking view on 2026 and what has him re energized about hospitality. He discusses: Key wins from 2025 including the White Barn Inn acquisition, early distributions, and high ROI operational improvements Lessons learned from debt maturities, refinancing risk, and how market timing can dictate outcomes Mistakes around goal setting, performance measurement, and acting too slowly on underperformance Why experiential and luxury hotels are outperforming amid declining RevPAR in other segments How changing guest behavior, supply constraints, and brand dynamics are shaping 2026 opportunities This episode is especially valuable for operators, investors, and entrepreneurs looking for an honest, experience driven perspective on navigating cycles in hospitality and building with intention. Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: ⁠https://x.com/JWurzak⁠ 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: ⁠https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching⁠ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: ⁠https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo⁠ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:15) - Highs of 2025: acquisitions and successes (00:07:03) - Lessons learned and mistakes made (00:17:02) - Looking ahead to 2026: trends and predictions (00:28:57) - Conclusion and exciting news for 2026 (00:29:51) - Closing remarks and podcast information

In his return to Masters of Moments, Sean Hehir joins Jake Wurzak for a deeper dive into the future of hospitality, technology, and investment strategy. Building on their first conversation, Sean shares how his firm has embraced AI to transform operations and asset management, using data to predict market shifts and enhance efficiency across a global portfolio. He also discusses the evolving landscape of hotel investing, from luxury experiential travel to large-scale renovations, offering candid insights into leadership, culture, and the importance of partnering with the right people. They discuss: • How AI and predictive data are reshaping hotel asset management • The rise of experiential travel and why it’s redefining hospitality investment • Strategic lessons from major hotel renovations like The Diplomat and The White Barn Inn • The balance between people, culture, and technology in scaling a global firm • The future of hospitality investment, from Europe to experiential and wellness-driven models Links: Sean on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-hehir/ Trinity Investments - https://www.trinityinvestments.com/ Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: ⁠https://x.com/JWurzak⁠ 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: ⁠https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching⁠ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: ⁠https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo⁠ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:32) - AI in business: Transforming operations (00:04:06) - Asset management and predictive analytics (00:05:16) - Hospitality industry trends and adaptations (00:10:22) - Luxury vs. commodity hotels (00:14:12) - Strategizing hotel acquisitions (00:23:22) - Navigating challenges and maintaining culture (00:24:54) - Capital strategy and market dynamics (00:41:35) - Challenges of raising a first-time fund (00:42:15) - Finding a niche in hospitality real estate (00:43:17) - Balancing fundraising and deal focus (00:44:40) - Sourcing deals: Marketed vs. off-market (00:46:35) - Choosing the right partners (00:48:16) - The Standard in London deal (00:50:24) - Maintaining entrepreneurial culture (00:54:39) - Biggest mistakes and wins in asset management (00:57:40) - Impact of politics on investing strategy (00:58:38) - Innovative renovation strategies (01:00:52) - Exploring new opportunities in hospitality (01:03:39) - The importance of service in luxury hotels (01:09:12) - Future aspirations and gratitude (01:10:35) - Favorite hotels and unique experiences

In his second appearance on Masters of Moments, John Grossman joins Jake Wurzak for a deep dive into the philosophy behind his company’s approach to design, operations, and long-term ownership in hospitality. John discusses why “not fighting the building” remains a guiding principle for every renovation, how his team balances creativity with practicality, and the mindset that drives their additive development strategy. The conversation explores the Arizona Grand Resort renovation, the rebranding of Laguna’s Casa Loma Beach Hotel, and how music, lighting, and landscaping are used to create emotionally resonant guest experiences. They discuss: The “Hippocratic Oath” of design and how to avoid overbuilding Lessons from large-scale repositioning projects like Arizona Grand Creating timeless design through restraint, light, and color How thoughtful landscaping and lighting can redefine a property’s atmosphere Integrating music and art as central elements of hospitality design Links: Grossman Company Properties - https://www.grossmancompany.com/ Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: ⁠https://x.com/JWurzak⁠ 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: ⁠https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching⁠ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: ⁠https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo⁠ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:01) - The Hippocratic oath of physical space (00:03:38) - Investing in existing assets vs. pure development (00:05:49) - Arizona Grand Resort renovation (00:09:52) - Balancing cost and design in hotel renovations (00:26:43) - The importance of landscaping and exterior experiences (00:37:09) - Changes in hospitality industry (00:42:58) - Challenges in the current market (00:44:47) - Inspiration from Consortium Holdings (00:55:07) - Repositioning iconic hotels (01:13:51) - Innovative music programming (01:19:42) - Closing thoughts and recommendations

In this episode of Masters of Moments, host Jake Wurzak sits down with his colleague and DoveHill’s Chief Investment Officer, Charles Paloux, to discuss their firm’s recent acquisition of the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine. Jake and Charles take listeners behind the scenes of the deal, from the story of how it came together to the strategy behind investing in luxury experiential hotels. They also share how the property’s unique history, location, and design make it one of the most compelling additions to the DoveHill portfolio. They discuss: Charles’s career journey from France to leading hotel investments in the U.S. The strategy behind DoveHill’s Opportunity Fund II and focus on experiential assets Why Kennebunkport and the White Barn Inn represent enduring hospitality value Key elements of the property’s success, from its iconic restaurant to the innovative houseboat suites How thoughtful capital improvements and community engagement can enhance both guest experience and investment returns Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: ⁠https://x.com/JWurzak⁠ 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: ⁠https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching⁠ Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: ⁠https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo⁠ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:16) - Charles' journey in the hospitality industry (00:14:04) - The White Barn Inn acquisition (00:18:14) - Operational excellence and future plans (00:35:25) - Revenue potential (00:42:43) - Sourcing capital and investor strategy (00:46:47) - Guest room enhancements and CapEx (00:49:40) - Spa and guest experience improvements (00:54:47) - Future investments and market strategy (01:01:22) - Staff happiness and CapEx projects (01:03:31) - Conclusion and contact information

In this episode of Masters of Moments, Jake Wurzak sits down with hospitality leader Adam Crocini for a deep dive into the intersection of food, beverage, and hotel design. Adam shares his journey from working as a teenage barback in Connecticut to shaping global hospitality experiences with iconic brands like Wolfgang Puck, Capella Hotels, and Hilton. Together, they explore how restaurant culture defines hotel success, the role of thoughtful design in guest experience, and why details, from lighting to linen color, can transform an entire property. They discuss: • The early influences that sparked Adam’s passion for hospitality • Lessons learned from building and leading world-class restaurants and hotel programs • How food and beverage can be the defining feature of a hotel brand • The importance of design diversity and collaboration between hotel and restaurant designers • Global labor and service culture differences shaping the future of hospitality Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:03) - Adam’s career and background (00:05:57) - Challenges and failures in the restaurant business (00:09:26) - The role of landlords and location in restaurant success (00:12:19) - The impact of food and beverage on hotel differentiation (00:14:53) - The evolution of hotel food and beverage (00:20:02) - Designing successful hotel restaurants (00:36:00) - Balancing independent and hotel restaurant operations (00:42:39) - Reflecting on past experiences (00:43:30) - Challenges and strategies in hospitality (00:48:03) - Global perspectives on service culture (00:50:09) - The evolution of Singapore's hospitality industry (00:53:49) - Labor challenges in the U.S. hospitality sector (01:02:00) - Transitioning to hotel management (01:10:23) - The importance of details in luxury hotels (01:15:55) - Future opportunities in hospitality (01:25:39) - Favorite hotels and closing thoughts Links: Adam on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-crocini/ Connect & Invest with Jake: Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak 1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coaching Learn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8Pwo