PROFILE
THE PEOPLE DEVELOPER
emotional
Making deposits
VISION HOSPITALITY ’ S MITCH PATEL FINDS HIS CALLING AND LEADS THROUGH TEAM-BUILDING .
Contributed BY MEGAN ROWE
Mitch Patel never figured on joining the family business , but when the opportunity to develop and run a hotel came his way , he didn ’ t waste much time ditching his budding career as a civil engineer . He had seen enough to know that traffic studies and road design weren ’ t going to hold his interest long-term .
He had grown up helping his parents run several motels , but he had never managed , much less built , one himself . Undaunted , he cashed in his US $ 3,000 savings account , cobbled together small loans from family and friends and convinced a local lender to bet on him . He designed the site , served as contractor , hired subcontractors , got the Homewood Suites by Hilton up and running and launched it as the general manager . He picked up the requisite skills the hard way — on the job .
“ It wasn ’ t easy — it took a lot of hard work and dedication — but after 18 months we became the number one hotel in Chattanooga ,” Patel says . And while he wasn ’ t thinking about expanding beyond that first Homewood Suites , the process of creating and running the hotel stirred a passion . “ I finally found my groove , things started clicking and I realized this was for me ,” he recalls .
And how . Twenty-one years later , Patel is CEO of Vision Hospitality Group , developer and operator of 34 full- and select-service properties under Hilton , Marriott and InterContinental flags , with another 16 in the works . His 1,100-person team expands as the company grows . In recent years Vision was named Marriott International developer of the year , Hampton developer of the year and Hilton multi-brand developer of the year .
FINDING A WINNING FORMULA Patel has succeeded with a simple formula : Create a strong culture , build to last and “ bend the brand as much as you can .” The formula has produced properties that consistently post high ADRs and top rankings on TripAdvisor . No one needed to teach Patel what he considers the most important lesson : Treat people with respect .
Given two styles — leading through fear or through deep admiration and respect — Patel chose the latter . But he realizes leaders don ’ t do it alone . “ You have to surround yourself with people who have great skills and attitude — you can ’ t teach attitude . Then you give them the best chance to succeed .”
Patel has cultivated that admiration and respect “ by making deposits in an emotional register . You have to engage with your team ,” he says . He preaches getting
50 hotelsmag . com April 2018