The problem
Hospitality was missing something: affordable but fun. I wanted to bring it to life, and vacant commercial space was the way in.
What I did
I co-founded the company and led a team of about 20, including subcontractors, across operations, design, construction, legal, finance, events, and marketing. We converted vacant commercial space into design-forward pod lodging and built the brand, the management company, and the playbook from zero. We raised $3M+ in venture funding. I sourced our first property, Stay Open Venice, negotiated the lease, then built an owner and broker network across ten cities and underwrote 50+ sites.
The details
| My role | Co-Founder & COO, then Strategic Advisor |
|---|---|
| Team | ~20, including subcontractors, across ops, design, construction, legal, finance, events, marketing |
| Funding | Venture-backed, $3M+ raised |
| Built | Brand and management company from zero |
| Concept | Commercial to co-lodging |
| Network | 10 cities, 50+ sites underwritten |
| Structures | Management agreement and master lease |
Similar problems I fix
What I fixStalled hotel projectsWhen a hotel project stalls.What I fixShort-term rentalsWhen a short-term rental is underperforming, or not built yet.What I fixAdaptive reuseWhen a building has outlived its use.What I fixLower-cost lodgingWhen a place needs lodging people can afford.What I fixHotel and resort advisoryWhen an owner needs an operator in their corner.
More projects
Hotels · Capital MarketsWaldorf Astoria Beverly HillsA $400M luxury hotel in Beverly Hills needed a mezzanine loan.Hotels · ConversionHyatt House & Hyatt Place LAXA 258,000 SF office building becomes a 401-key dual-brand hotel.Own & Operate · Santa FePaseo RetreatNobody wanted it. The scope that scared everyone off is what made it cheap.