Leben, Reisen und die menschliche Verbindung mit Sarah Dandashy

Sarah DandashyFlowers don't continually bloom. They have moments where they bloom and they grow, and then they have moments where they're not, you know, in their off season. And just like how we apply that to training in physical fitness, we have to remind ourselves that, like, we're not go, go, go a 100 miles an hour all the time. Like, sometimes we just have to drive at a different speed.

the Future of HospitalitySo welcome back to the future of hospitality, everybody. This episode is part of our special series, unscripted hospitality, where, you know, have the opportunity to speak honestly without filters about the industry and certainly the amazing people that we have the opportunity to impact and interact with. And today's episode is powered by Auhai, the leading global sales organization representing the world's finest luxury hotels and resorts. And today, I am kind of really excited about this conversation because I'm gonna be talking to Sarah Dandasi and as you probably know, she's really a rock star in all of our industry. She does so much to help us become better at what we do, bring a lot of amazing perspective.

the Future of HospitalityShe's a luxury hospitality and travel media personality. She's then a TEDx that is super cool. That hopefully we're gonna learn a little bit more and how you came about that. Best selling author, TV and podcast host. She also is the host of the Good Morning Hospitality with our partner and good friend.

Sarah DandashySteve Turk.

the Future of HospitalitySteve Turk. Yes. He has amazing book and amazing coffee. Check it out if you haven't had his book and his coffee. And then also, Sarah, I think you perhaps began with the Ask a Concierge, right? That does amazing inspiration for a lot of travelers. So, Sarah, thank you for being here with us and certainly appreciate everything that you do, not only focus on travel, but also people

Sarah Dandashyand can't wait to explore this today with you. Yes. Well, thank you so much for having me. This is gonna be a fun conversation. I love Unscripted. Let's go. Yeah, absolutely.

the Future of HospitalitySo, you know, I think logic question probably in everybody's mind is, you know, you've been a world renowned concierge, being recognized as the best in 2015

Sarah Dandashyor Yes, when I was still young.

the Future of HospitalityYeah, right, right. You're still young, very young. And, you know, so how that came about, like, to transition from a concierge to kind of take the step into going to NurOwn with Ask a Concierge. Yeah. What what is a little bit about that,

Sarah Dandashyyou know, that journey? Sure. Sure. So well, to get for just, context, I began as a professional concierge in luxury hotels in 2005. In 2012 is when I ended up coming up with the brand Ask a Concierge, and it started as I was taking a writing course, and it started very much as a homework assignment. I had to do a vlog, on what, at the time, I was like, what people would consider me a, quote, unquote, expert in. Now that's always really tricky because everybody's always like, well, I don't know. And it's it's interesting because we often give ourselves far less credit for the information that we actually know because it's so close to us. So I start this vlog in 2012. The videos are still up online. You can see with my goofy little scars, I look like a flight attendant even though I was a concierge.

Sarah DandashyAnd so Ask a Concierge started then in 2012, and I very much was working at a hotel. Was working at a hotel until 2000. Now I could have left earlier, but it is hard and scary to go out on your own to be like, can I actually do this? And so for the longest time, I had my online brand while I was still working at a property. And thank goodness, I had amazing teammates that were super flexible because I would really I'd work, like, ten days to have ten days off, and then I would go travel and go and film and do all these things and then come back. But, that's kind of the brand they were very much overlapping, and then it became a very natural progression to then go off on my own. So it wasn't just like, I'm quitting everything and doing this. It's like, no. No. I there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, and all of that extra cash that I made on the side, would put into, investing in videographers, editors, all of that stuff, creating videos before really a lot of other people were creating videos. So that's kind of how the the backstory of it happened, but it I think a lot of people will look at things now and they'll be like, oh, well, they because maybe they just discover you on whatever platform, and they're like, oh, who's this person? And they don't always see the years taken it's to get there. So,

the Future of Hospitalityit's been a journey, but worthwhile for sure. Yeah. No. It is beautiful. And you're so right. I I forgot. I I used him to a podcast, and I think was Admai Lad or someone recently were to your point, you know, he was saying that, you know, we under we overestimate what we do, what we can do in a short time and underestimate what we can do in a long time. Right? And to your point, I think it's, you know, someone looking, you know, at you from the outside, you know, of course, you're very impressive. You've been very successful. You're gonna tell us a little bit about this sale to his gift and all that. But it's, you know, no one sees like all the, you know, the effort, the time that you put in these years when, you know, people are not aware of you per se, right? And then suddenly here you are.

the Future of HospitalitySo it's definitely, you know, years and years of effort and trial and error and and Totally. Probably that you felt like, know, is it going anywhere? You know, it might make any difference and then Sure.

Sarah DandashyYeah. Exactly. Exactly. And I don't know. I don't know if it's ever bam. You know? I think there we're always kind of like, okay. There's, like, more I can be doing for sure. But I think what's so cool and I I you know, I mean, I don't I don't know when you'll air this, but we're recording this right before the holidays. And my I I'm not a big holiday person, but my favorite holiday is, New Year's, specifically New Year's Day because that's definitely a time that I always, like, take a moment to take stock of, like, what's happened over the last year. Because I I I mean, we're in such a society and world that, like, we're always focused on what's next. What's next? What's next? And sometimes we just don't stop and breathe and give ourselves, that little pat on the back, like, hey. You know what? You did this this year. That's amazing.

Sarah DandashyAnd then and then also set those goals that make sense for, like, the next step. Like, how do we take it to the next level? And, I mean, I've always been a big fan of just always constantly checking in on yourself, and I I believe in doing it on a quarterly basis, just like how businesses do quarterly, you know, recaps and they're checking in on what how they're doing. We as humans, especially as entrepreneurs, I think should always be doing that. So

the Future of HospitalityYeah. That is great. Talking about, you know, these check ins, do you do you have a habit or do you have, you know, a schedule that you try to follow or it's just something that you try to be aware and then you, you know, it's ebb and flow.

Sarah DandashyOh, as far as, like, the check ins? Yeah. So okay. I'm gonna I'm I'm gonna share my weirdness factor. I've always had, like, an internal clock that would have me do that. I remember doing that with myself when I was, like, 13, 14 years old. So yeah, weird. Most kids definitely don't do that. I would always check-in with myself to be like, is this working? Does this make sense? I mean, maybe it wasn't like, oh, what I've accomplished. Obviously, it's become far more refined over the years, but I always had this, like, stop and, okay. Wait. What's working? What's not working? What feels like too much? What do I want more of? And then, like, how do we readjust?

Sarah DandashySo there's a bit of an internal body clock with that, but then I also I do actually have reminders in my phone. And funny because even just last night, a good friend of mine who works in hospitality, head of, HR for a very, very big hospitality brand, and she and I were talking. And I was like, look. Let's do this together. Let's every quarter set aside a weekend, go somewhere, and just, like, talk to each other, spend time alone, figure out what's going on. But I feel like that constant, like, check-in and, like, recalibrating is so important. Look. We rotate our tires on our car. We should, like, emotionally

Sarah Dandashyrotate our tires, so to speak, with ourselves so we can keep going forward. Did I did not think I was gonna be doing car references on today's show, by the way.

Sarah DandashyNot planned.

the Future of HospitalityIt's a little tune up. Right? Tune up So do you think that this like, how you seem to be naturally wired, right? Because to your point, it's not as natural, I think, you know, as a, you know, young 13 to have that intuition or that self awareness. So do you think that's where you kind of bring a little bit of the human side to travel and really, you know, into what you share and what you cover? Do you think that's part of where that comes from? Or or Yeah. I mean, I think it's so interesting because I do think of it. I you know,

Sarah Dandashyfor those that might know my story, but for those that don't so I'm half Lebanese. I know I don't look it. And so I was born in The States, but at the time, my parents were living in Saudi Arabia. So as soon as the passport came in the mail, which was literally three weeks later, I was on my first flight to Saudi. And I lived in Saudi until I was six. And my family on my dad's side, they all live in, Europe and The Middle East. And so and then my family is scattered all throughout on my mom's side, they're scattered all throughout The United States. So, like, to see family, we just, like, had to travel. And not just road trips, but, like, fly places. And, so being exposed to that and then also growing up in a multicultural household where I was a very stubborn child and refused to learn Arabic.

Sarah DandashyI have an ear for it, but I was constantly in rooms where people I would not speak the same language as people. So what does that immediately, you always are like, oh my gosh. Are they talking about me? You know? And so, like, you learn to pick up on, like, body language and how to, like, fit in or maybe even chime in even when you don't necessarily know the full breadth of the conversation. And so I think to be geared and and be in that sort of environment as you're growing up, you're always kind of in the place as far as, like, being the other.

Sarah DandashyAnd it's not necessarily other as an ostracized, but, like, definitely different and standing out. So you're constantly reading for cues to be like, okay. How can we connect? If we're not speaking the same language, how can we connect? And so that's why, like, for me, when I always say, like, it comes back to the human element, like, that is what it what it really is all about. And especially now, like, in a world where we're, like, pummeled with social media and algorithms that are meant to, like, divide us as opposed to bring us together, I think that this is a really important reminder. And I I also think that's also why, like, hospitality made sense for me too because it was a natural place that, like, you can connect with people and people from all different backgrounds, which I love and relate to. And to me, that's what makes life interesting and cool. So, for me, different different is cool for sure.

the Future of HospitalityYes. Yes. And what what was your you you lived in some amazing destinations, right, throughout your life. Do you have a favorite or a a top two?

Sarah DandashyOh gosh. It's so tough. They all have, like, different things. So what was inter so I lived in Saudi Arabia before Saudi Arabia was cool. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that, but I just said it. So whatever. But it was great as a child. It was fine. And lived in London, England as a kid, which was also very interesting. And then I lived in Atlanta from eight to 18. So I always joke around that I've got, like, a little bit of this properness, but then I got some dirty South in me. And then and then there's this weird Arab side that comes through, and then I just look like wholesome all American pie. So it's very confusing.

Sarah DandashyBut, and then I lived in DC. I went to college in DC at Georgetown and then lived in New York and then in LA twenty years. So, I mean, I think, like, LA has been my favorite I mean, it's it's a home I chose. You know? There's definitely something about the creativity here, but all places provide something cool and unique. I was grateful that I got to have my childhood in Atlanta where I could, like, walk to school. You know, that's I mowed a lawn. Like, I mowed my mom's lawn and stuff like that. So I I think these are, like, very wholesome things that are helpful to have when you're growing up. But then to have the context of, like, being in big bustling cities, you know, going to New York City as a seven year old, you're very diff your worldview is very different, than than if you're, like, finally going there a little bit later in life and you're like, woah. This is what big city is. So I think it just was exposure to so many different things. I love that. And it's still to this day, I think I I thrive on it, hence, all the travel I do. So it's pretty cool.

the Future of HospitalityThat is great. Yeah. It's funny because I, you know, I grew up I'm from Brazil, and I grew up in Brazil. And talking about Liberty's community there is humongous.

Sarah DandashySo fun fact fun fact that I never get to share, but I could share this with you. So at one point, my grandfather was the Syrian ambassador to Brazil, and my dad he my dad was technically born in Damascus, but they lived in Brazil for quite a bit as a kid. And so Oh. Yeah. How fun is that? There you go. Very fun. Amazing food. I love Lebanese food. Love it. It's fun. The best. Very good. That's awesome. Hopefully, they had a great time in Brazil. So Oh my gosh. Of course. Totally. Totally.

the Future of HospitalityWho wouldn't? Come on. Yeah. Right? Who wouldn't? Actually, we're just just booked over the weekend our trip to Brazil. We're gonna celebrate Gabby's, our daughter, fifteenth birthday there in February. Oh my gosh. That you guys it's gonna be amazing. You don't need me to tell you that, but that's so great that you're gonna be there. Yeah. That'll be cool. That'll be And, you know, like, when you were how did the TEDx come about to you? Was that something that you challenged yourself? Or

Sarah DandashyYeah. So I I had, as a goal written for myself, for many years to do a TEDx. I didn't know what about. Also books too, and I've got two more books in me, one that I'm gonna be working on when I'm not traveling as much. And it's like it's I knew I wanted to do it, but here's my thing. It's like, okay. Yes. You I might set the goal of wanting to do something, but I'm like, it's gotta be right, and it's gotta be the right message, or else I won't I won't do it. Like, it's gotta really resonate. That's just how I I operate, like, really coming from a real place.

Sarah DandashyAnd it's funny because it's like it came together. It was, like, such a crazy way of coming together. A colleague of mine had just done a TEDx, and I was, like, congratulating her and feeling like, oh my gosh. I wanna do one. She's like, oh, you should, like, reach out to my coach. And I'm like, okay. Whatever. So I did actually reach out to a coach because I figure they're very formulaic. You know? And it's like, it's good to have some guidance. And, I remember we were talking about different topics, and we kind of came on this one. And I actually didn't like the topic, and the topic was the secret to making someone feel special. To me, it felt very simple.

Sarah DandashyAnd for those that know me, know I'm very complex, and I like these complex thoughts and all of this. Very cerebral. But then the more that we thought about it or the more I thought about it, it was like, sometimes people just need the simple reminders, and it is just about the simple things. And that's also the core of the message. So I ended up getting booked, and it was at my could not have been a busier time. I normally, you have, like, three months to prepare for these things. I had five weeks, and three of those five five weeks, I was going all throughout, Southeast Asia for filming in six different countries, and I had, like, a week in LA that I was filming at five different locations.

Sarah DandashySo I came back, and I literally only had seven days to memorize and put it all together and, did. And it was just one of those moments that I've done a lot of things. Writing a book and doing the TED talk are definitely up there as far as, like, the two hardest things I've done professionally. I've done I've done a lot of things professionally. So, yeah, it was wild, but so rewarding and very cool.

the Future of HospitalityAw. Yeah. It is it is pretty cool one. You know, you know, if no one saw or whomever didn't see or recommend to to watch it. Glad it It's a good one. It's only ten minutes. Yeah. And

Sarah DandashyI think also knowing that, like, it's fully memorized Yeah. Is another another big thing. I don't think everybody realizes that. They think, oh, a teleprompter. It's nope.

Sarah DandashyAnd how

the Future of Hospitalityhow hard was it to memorize and deliver in

Sarah DandashyThat short of time? Way.

the Future of HospitalityRight? Like, not in a you know?

Sarah DandashyOh, yeah. Because none of my things I do normally are scripted. You know? It's it is very challenging. I mean, basically, it's like a ten minute monologue. I it reminded me because I I I have a background in acting, and so and I did a lot of Shakespeare as a kid because, again wow. Nerd alert. I'm just sharing all of my secrets. But I very specifically remember memorizing Shakespeare as I was, like, walking to and from school as a kid, and there was a lot like, this was bringing up a lot of that. I mean, one of my first auditions I did, I was 13 years old. I got myself an audition. They're like, you make sure you bring your mother. And so I, like, told my mom, like, mom, I got an audition, and so she took me.

Sarah DandashyAnd so, like, I've always kind of had that initiative and and drive, but it's challenging. And it definitely is a muscle, and it definitely takes practice, and it definitely takes performing it in front of other people. So, like, making sure that you're saying it you're not just saying it out loud to yourself in a room by yourself, but you need to do it to other people, in front of other people, like a friend, a spouse, somebody like that, because that's when it finally kind of starts to become a little bit real. So it's tricky. Good. You just gotta keep keep going at it.

Sarah DandashyWow. Yeah. That's funny. Listen.

the Future of HospitalityIf you can memorize and, recital Shakespeare, I think you can do anything.

Sarah DandashyI mean, so they say. So they say.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. I like I I would struggle a lot with that.

Sarah DandashyYeah. It's tricky. It's definitely tricky. So but but, yeah, again, it's like you you feel it. You get into the cadence of it, and it Really? And so and you just remind yourself of your through line. Like, what is the point of this? So it's not just words, but there's meaning behind it. Mhmm. Yeah.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. Wow. There's so much here. So I have So you like so much to unpack. Well, yeah. You know, because I I don't wanna for you know? So okay. So you said that writing a book and the TEDx is you put right there the most challenging professional things you've done. Yeah. What about is one of the most challenging personal things you've done that you're really proud of or, I don't know, unexpected?

Sarah DandashyThat's a good that's a good one. Interesting. I did I did, the Los Angeles marathon many years ago, and that was really that that was great. And then I also did a tough mudder, which is kind of like a, like an obstacle version of, like, a one of those sort of races. Yeah. I mean, those are up there. Definitely is being challenging. Oh, I did the yeah. Look at me. They're all, like, physical challenges. But, I did the Red Rock Relay. And so for anybody that's on a relay, you're with a group of, like, 12 people, and then you run like, you take turns running for the course of twenty four hours. That was pretty wild,

Sarah Dandashyespecially running at elevation when you don't live at elevation.

Sarah DandashySo so yeah. So definitely, I I tend to, push and challenge myself. That's for sure. That is good. Tough Mudder. You're like, I'm adding these all to my list.

the Future of HospitalityWell, it's funny that you say this because just a few weeks ago, I signed up for a half IRONMAN. I never done anything like this ever.

Sarah DandashyAmazing. The swimming is gonna be, whoo. That swimming part is wild. That's tough.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. So, you know, I gotta prep for that. And then also,

Sarah Dandashydoing savage race in March, which is a similar to To the public tough matter. Right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's fun. I love those. And I think the part that I love the most about that is it strips us of, like, all like, you're actually getting, like, down and dirty and muddy, and it strips you of, like, all these, like, preprogrammed, these pre ideas of, like, who we are, how we show up, and you just, like, have to get through, and you have to be creative, like, physically. And I think for me why physical activity is so important is being so we're so caught in our heads all the time, and I think getting being physical takes you out of your head. And especially if you can do something literally, like, play in the mud, that like, how great to do that in a world that, like, we're always, like, prim and proper and put together, and I got the curls all. And then it's like, no curls,

Sarah Dandashystraight mud. Let's go. So, yeah, I love those types of things. Yeah.

Sarah DandashyThat is great. Very good. Thank you. So you gave me inspiration. So You got this. Oh my gosh. I'm gonna be rooting for you. I love this.

the Future of HospitalityThat is and then, like, to you know, you talked about, like, doing recording

Sarah Dandashyin Southeast Asia when you're prepping for The Talk and doing shoots there. How do you select the destinations you cover? How do you go about that? So most of the time, they reach out to me. So they reach out to me and then invite me, and then we work out whatever that ends up looking like. So some so it's it's the same thing. It's like if I'm, like, working with a cruise line or a destination or a hotel, I've been very, very, very, very lucky that most come to me. I think that's just from being, like, just consistently, like, prevalent and and online. And, so and then we just figure out, like, what they're looking for. So do they want something that's gonna feel more, quote, unquote, organic? Is this something that I'm filming with my phone and my drone? Do they want something that's gonna be more, like, polished that they can also get marketing material for? And then that's when we have a videographer, and slash photographer that comes with.

Sarah DandashySo, again, it just depends. Like, no no project is really the same. But in that particular one, I was working with the Mekong River region. So the Mekong River runs through six different countries. So we had to literally go six different countries, including China for forty eight hours, which was wild. And Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, which is, do not travel to, but, we had such an incredible time. So, it's so incredible to get to go to these places and to just, like, have that slice of life and just get a feel for it. And it just reminds you, like again, like, me having those experiences, just I come back and I'm just reminded of the human aspect. Like, we're all the same. We all just want shelter, food, family, and, like, people to love. Like, that's really what we want. You you can add a couple of extra things to it, but, like, really at the root of it, that's what it is.

Sarah DandashySo, yeah, for me, it's just it's nice to kind of have those experiences and then you come back and you you're that much more grateful for what you do have.

the Future of HospitalityOr there any of these experiences or any other experience in your travel could be a kid or, you know, one of your work projects that kind of transformed or really, I don't know, made you really kind of have an awakening moment or something that's really wow, this is really something that I I haven't had experience or something really really unique.

Sarah DandashyThat's a good question. I mean, I think when I finally went to Asia for the first time, that was pretty special just because I had been so much through Europe, The Middle East, and the and, like, The States. So that was wonderful to see culturally. I'm just trying to think as far as and it's like as a specific because I get because, like, travel's just always been a part of, like, my experience. Yeah. So for me, it just feels like it's just feeding this natural curiosity and this, like, exposure to different cultures, foods, things, smells, whatever. Mean, I I've definitely had a lot of crazy experiences, but I don't know if they're, like like and, like, not necessarily all good ones.

Sarah DandashyYou know? Like, I had I had one. I'll just share this, and I don't know where we're going with this story, but I because it it came up the other day when I was talking to a friend. My first trip to Asia, we did, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. And, we were finally getting to and we were exhausted. Like, we were working oh, because we were doing a campaign where we would post, hey. We can either do we can either play with the monkeys or go see an elephant sanctuary. And we posted on our stories, and we would have our viewers choose what we should do, choose our own adventure.

Sarah DandashySo, like, we were, like, up until two in the morning. We'd wake up at five or six, get started. It it we were very exhausted. We finally get to Indonesia, and we're, like, so tired, and we we're like, oh my gosh. We finally get a day to rest. We're looking forward to it, and this is the story is about to take a sad turn. But we get there. We have this wonderful guide. He's great. He's talking to us, and then he turns around. And as he's talking to us from the front by the way, there's a driver and a guide, I should say. The guys are talking to us just so people he literally, like, mid sentence, just, like, goes out, like, head down.

Sarah DandashySo I'm like, oh my gosh. What what like, does he does he diabetic? Like, I'm I'm a medical professional. I end up holding him, like, from behind the seat. We figure out he's not diabetic. He doesn't have, like, an EpiPen or anything on him. We go to the, the hospital, and by the time we get to the hospital, he's pronounced dead. And he had, like, died in my arms, and we think it was a brain aneurysm because it was just, like, out like a light. And it was wild. It was it was interesting because the tour guides kept apologizing to us, and they kept saying, please don't don't think poorly of our country. And I'm just like, what? Like, what this is just the it was just his time to go, and it just happened to be while we were there. Like, and, hopefully, he was doing something that he loved, showing people his country, and it was this crazy situation.

Sarah DandashyAnd I will definitely say, like, for the weeks after that, it was very much of a reminder of, like, lit be really being real in the moment because you just never know when it can be taken away from you. Did not expect to share that story today, but, but, yeah, that was definitely, I think, probably my my craziest story, but definitely the most impactful as far as the reminder of, like, to always be be connected with with individuals.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Thanks. Thanks for sharing. You know? Yeah. That's definitely a life changing experience. Right? Yeah. For sure. And yeah. And it -And it's interesting, the concept of being in the moment, right? I think we all really strive to do it and it sounds simple, Right? But it's so hard, right, to your point just because what you said. Right? It's like, you know, it's life. Right? It's work. It's this. It's that. You gotta go be We have our phones on us. Everything is pulling us in 25,000,000

Sarah Dandashydirections. It is a struggle to stay productive and not like and then there's also the concierge nature in me, which, you know, when I was at a concierge desk, I'm just used to people coming up to me in person, phone calls coming in, responding in emails. So, like, I was training this muscle of multitasking. You know? And so now I can set those boundaries, but, like, I'm also still used to being like, oh, wait. Somebody called this, that. Oh, or the the I understand, like, if it's something work related. For me, responding immediately is so important because I don't wanna be the the, the reason why, like, something breaks down or loses traction or whatever it is. So, yeah, it's we're definitely pulled in a lot of different directions. So being present is very challenging at times.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. Yeah. What what reminds me actually also those interesting this Friday, I don't know, Friday I was flying back or something like that and Mhmm. I couldn't connect to the Internet right on the plane. It was like a three hour flight and, you know, first five minutes I was frustrated. You know, I had all these projects I was gonna tackle. But then, you know, I said, listen, man. You know, you never take a break. Right? I said, you know, just take this to be present, right? And also freeing in a certain way, right? You know, it's like a lot of times we just gotta figure out either life give us a little pause moment or, you know, we should allow ourselves a little bit more of that because once we once we can really experience that, it feels so good.

Sarah DandashyOh, I it's funny because I had the same thing happen to me on a flight back from Paris this summer. And I was like, oh, I'm gonna get all my work done on the plane. And then no joke. Thirty seconds before we're taking off, they're like, oh, by the way, our Wi Fi isn't working. And I'm like, that's a ten and a half or, like, eleven hour flight. Like, who do I need to tell? Oh my gosh. And then it was interesting because I ended up having a conversation with the woman sitting next to me. She was traveling with a dog. I made friends with others. Somebody in first class kept, like, coming back to I was, like, in premium economy or whatever, and they were coming coming back to me like, here, have a drink. And I'm like, this is such a social flight.

Sarah DandashyI mean, you know, because we were all forced to interact with each other. And I was like, well, okay. Didn't get work done, but at least that happened. So Yeah. Exactly. Right. Sometimes, like, once you take that pause.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. And it's funny because I already ate some of these snacks, but then the flight attendant, she gave me a little baggie. Oh my gosh. It's true. And she, you know, wrote me a a nice note. Made a little drawing of panicking Oh my gosh. I love that. You know, and that was like a moment to really so, yeah. So it's also part of the the service, right, to your point. The hospitality is like how Totally. You know, it could be something where someone is really grumpy and will complain for forever to like, wow. This was a wow moment. Right? That you know? Totally.

Sarah DandashyYeah. Well, that's always interesting. I always find, and this is definitely from my years of working at the concierge desk, is that, like, if and I remind people. I was like, have you ever noticed that, like, bad things happen to grumpy people? Because, like, grumpy people, they, like, attract it. Yep. And I was just like, oh my gosh. Like, you always have, like, the the client that's, like, complaining, complaining. You're like, man, I just hope things go smooth. And, of course, they never go smooth for them. And it's so true. Like and that's always, like, my reminder of, like, you know, like, sometimes stuff happens. But, like, if you sit there and you fester in it, it's just gonna make it worse. Like so try to be positive because then, hopefully, luckier things happen.

the Future of Hospitality100%. 100%. Yeah. Yeah. That is awesome. And and talking about your experience as a concierge, I don't know. Like, I'm sure you get asked a lot of things. Was there any kind of unusual, like, or super difficult ask that you had in in your years as a concierge? Interesting.

Sarah DandashyI mean, it you know, the the I'm just trying to think as far as, like, the most difficult they definitely got, like, unusual as far as, like, oh, they would be visiting from another country, and they'd buy a dog. And that's, okay. Well, now we have to get all the shots for our dog and get the dog trained. And I like how do we go about then going home with our new pet? So I think a lot of that has become far more simplified in recent years, but it was definitely challenging at the time. Yeah. I mean, it's what was it? There was somebody that was like, oh, we wanna come with, like, our pet snake.

Sarah DandashyIt's like, no. My gosh. No. You're not bringing a pet snake to the hotel. Like, this is just not happening.

Sarah DandashyYeah. Like, what? But I think my my favorite story, and I've told this before, but I haven't told it in a while. So I think it's, but I had, guests that were staying at a hotel, and there's a very famous place in Los Angeles called the Magic Castle. It's members only that you could you have to be invited to go, and then that's just to even get, like, access. And then there has to be availability. And it was pretty last minute, and this couple, they wanted to go. And I I can't remember if it was over, like, Easter or Valentine's Day weekend or or something, and it just wasn't happening. And I was like, well, how about this? Like, it's full. You know, I can get you access, but it's full. So I can't, like, make space become available.

Sarah DandashyBut, why don't we bring the magic castle to you? And maybe we can just have a a magician do a private magic show in your suite. And they're like, oh, that's so cool. So I remember, like, interviewing all these magicians, like, over the course of a week, sent them their options. They chose one. Then I had to I was like, okay. Well, we're a pet friendly hotel, but this magician wants to bring, like, a rabbit and a dove. So I had to go talk to the general manager and be like, I know we're pet friendly, but can we do a rabbit and a dove? And he's like,

Sarah Dandashyonly you, Sarah. And I'm like

Sarah DandashyAnd he's like, yes. Yes. It's fine. I'm like, okay. Great. And they ended up having an amazing time, and it was just, like, such a fun it was a fun thing to put together, very bizarre, but it was also so cool. And afterwards, they were like, that was so such a great experience. Like, way to turn what was, like, a challenging situation into something that was so unexpected, not we didn't even think about it, but it ended up being so, so memorable. And how cool. You know? So I love that story.

the Future of HospitalityOh, yeah. That's nice. And I'm sure they never forgot that. Right? Mean, that'll be something we'll cherish forever.

Sarah DandashyTotally.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. Totally. That is awesome. Yeah. That is cool. So when you're still, you know, you did some acting. Yeah. I was younger. Did you think you'd do that for a living or was it fun?

Sarah DandashyThat's interesting. Did I think I'll try to do it for a living. Yeah. I mean, you know, that's always kind of, like, the goal, and then that's how I I well, kind of how I got into hospitality. I was going to school at Georgetown, and I was working in restaurants. So I I definitely had a background in restaurants. And then my cousin who had gone to Lausanne was working at the Four Seasons, and he was like, well, why work at this restaurant and get paid this where can work at the Four Seasons and get paid almost double. So, you know, I was 18. I'm like, sure.

Sarah DandashyCool. So that's, like, how I kind of got, like, a taste of working in hotels, you know, on top of, like, working in restaurants. But then I so with that, when I moved out to Los Angeles, absolutely pursuing. I mean, I still I honestly still have an agent, but I it's it's very much changed. But, yeah, I mean, that was kind of, like, the goal. And then when I moved out to Los Angeles, working at a hotel was the day job, you know, so to speak. And so that's why when Aska Concierge was born, it felt like it was finally blending my two worlds because I would perform. I was performing stand up sketch comedy, and then I would, like, go and, like, work at, like, the Peninsula or the London. So I was living in those two worlds. And, like, I, you know, I worked on movies, TV shows, all of that, for for a long time. So Ask a Concierge for me was like, hey. I get to, like, edit and produce my own stuff.

Sarah DandashyI I know how to do this. I've been editing and producing films. I know how to be on camera. I know how to write. I know how to and, like, I know how to do the whole thing, and it just and then it taps into, like, all the knowledge and the experience I had as my day to day profession. You know? Because at that point, I'd almost done it ten years. So I was, quote, unquote, you know, had expert hours, had logged those hours, so to speak. So if that's where Asa Concierge came from and was very much like a melding of those two worlds, I still very much feel like that's what I do on a regular basis. Like, there's an element of performing.

Sarah DandashyAnd I also worked in radio too because I've I I again, what I said, I've always had, like, 25,000,000 jobs because to me, experience is everything. And so when I was going to Georgetown, I'm, like, studying international relations. And then I got an amazing job to work in radio, and I was assistant producer of the morning show for Hot ninety nine five, which was, like, their top 40 radio station and but you paid, like, nothing. And so I was like, well, this is amazing. This was feeding me creatively. So I was being fed intellectually at school. I was being fed creatively working in radio, but then I was like, I need to make money, and then I would, like, bartend until two in the morning. I don't think I slept very much those couple of years that I was doing all of that. But, again, it's like you have that experience, and it keeps you very humble. And you just, like anybody that knows me knows that I'm not I'm always willing to, like, roll up my sleeves and do the work of whatever it takes to this day too. You know? So always outwork everybody.

the Future of HospitalityThat is awesome. That is talking about outworking. So talk a little bit about, you know, your good morning hospitality Yeah. Skiff podcast show, and and certainly, also, if you don't mind sharing whatever you you can about the transition. Yeah. You know?

Sarah DandashyYeah. So for those that know, Good Morning Hospitality, was under the Hospitality FM umbrella. And then that was very much owned and run by Will Slickers. And Will Slickers have been producing our show. He started originally Good Morning Hospitality with a morning show, and then he as he was growing that, he reached out to Steve Turk and myself to then do the hotel version of this show on Wednesdays. So that's kind of how we got into the whole good morning hospitality fold. I'll give Will so much credit for putting myself and Steve together. I mean, that first show we did, that was maybe, like, the third conversation we had had. Like, we def and people were like, oh my gosh. You guys are so great and fun together. We're like, we're still getting to know each other. Now it's obviously so different. Like, we're all very good friends.

Sarah DandashyBut yeah. So I I have to give full credit to to Will because he was very much the driving force behind it all. So, Skiff then ended up acquiring Hospitality FM and had, like, the select shows. Obviously, though, they had their their favorites and their ones that they wanted to keep. We were very lucky that Good Morning Hospitality was one of them. And, so that's been great. And then, for those that follow them, they actually have a daily podcast that's called, the Skiff Daily Briefing, and I actually do that as well. So I've I recorded that right before we got on here. So, so that's been very cool because it's, the top three things that are happening in travel and hospitality, kind of, like, in a three minute nutshell.

Sarah DandashyAnd, so yeah. So it's been a really fun transition. They're doing so many things. I mean, anybody that's in the travel and hospitality space obviously knows and respects gift. And for a very long time, they've been trying to kind of plot out how to kind of grow their video and audio division, and this has been, like, an amazing partnership. And so much more to come on that. So we'll just see what 2026 brings.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. That's exciting. And, yeah, you guys have amazing chemistry together. You know, it's fun to watch and and really good natural content too. How do you how do you prepare for the the the three top three that you share? Like, is it a lot of research?

Sarah DandashyIs it what you Are you talking about for the Skiff daily briefing? Or daily briefing. Yeah. Oh, yeah. So, yeah, it's daily. So, basically, like, I woke up this morning. I went on this gift because it is for skiffs. So, obviously, it's, like, highlighting their, their their content, their So I wake up every morning. I just kinda see what's been posted. And if it and in my mind, it's like, okay. Well, we wanna kinda make it like a, as as diverse as possible. So it's like I try to find something about hotels, something about airlines, something about, you know, whether it's tech or cruises or tourism and something like that. So we try to cover at least, like, three different.

Sarah DandashyI run it by them for approval. 99.9%, they're always like, yep. That looks good. So, I mean, that's also kinda how I've always been with my content. I'm like, if I find it interesting, I'm sure other people will find it interesting. And I think if you approach it with that, just kind of that, like, curiosity, that works. And then on Fridays, I do actually a video version of it, and that I kind of work with them because if there's something that's been doing very, very well that week, we'll kind of tie that back in so then there's a video component to it. So yeah. Right? Interesting stuff.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. That is it. And I love it because you deliver it so so naturally as well. I love, like, how Practice.

Sarah DandashyPractice. That is yeah. That's This practice, everybody's like, it's so effortless, and it's like, took me twenty five years to seem effortless. And there's a lot of takes that people don't see. Don't see. You know? Like, we're not perfect. I'm not. Oh my gosh. Yeah.

the Future of HospitalityFor sure. Yeah. One of one of the people that really helped me get over the hump from, like, that fear or hesitation, oh, he's not perfect or whatever, is that I don't know if you heard of him or you follow him. It's Gary V. Oh my gosh. I love Gary. Yeah. For sure. Yeah. He's amazing.

Sarah DandashyI met him a couple years ago too. Yeah. He's fantastic. Wow. How cool. Yeah. He's talk about brain so I'm, like, super fascinated with, like, people's processing power, like, speed, their processing speed. Mhmm. He might be one of the fastest brains I've ever been around. I've been around a lot of, like, highly, highly, like, crazy speed. It was insane. It was crazy because I'd watch people ask him questions, and he already knew the question, like, the second word in. And it was like, oh my gosh. Spread out the question faster because I could just see him, like he's, like, ready to go. Amazing individual, by the way. Amazing.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. And I and I love how he he, you know, he supports people from a positive perspective. It's at least just go put out there and improve and but just do it. Do something. Right? Take that action and improve. That's the whole thing. I mean, like, that what is it? Analysis paralysis.

Sarah DandashyPeople are like, oh, but what about this? And it's and then, I mean, that can be a probably a whole conversation for another time, but, like, this weird, the crippling fee fear of failure. And that to me is so, like, what? Like, I don't know. Failure is not a thing to me. You know, especially when it comes to social media, it's like, just try. And it's like with trying, you kind of you learn what works. You learn what feels good to you. You see what people respond to. There's no failure in, like, twenty four hours. People have already forgotten about it because they've been pummeled with 652 other different things since then.

Sarah DandashyBut it's like, just try. And and, like, I would say, like, so long as, like, you're not saying anything bad, you know, you're not doing anything like, so long as there's, like, good intent, like, just try it. You know? Like, get that that to me is, like, that's the fun. That's the okay. Well, like, I mean, I remember when I first post posted a dance video, and I'm like, nobody wants to see a concierge dancing. By the way, this was also before everybody was dancing on TikTok. And, like because if people that know me know me, they know that, yeah, I'm serious, but I'm also very goofy if we're able to tell. And so I start dancing, I had this video. I'm like, I just wanna post it because I, like, I love this. I dance everywhere. I dance in the grocery store. I dance in weird places.

Sarah DandashyI posted it, and it did really, really, really well. And it was one of those things, like, I was like, oh, wait. People wanna see this side of me. They don't just see concierge there. They wanna see this other side. So it's this reminder of, like, if it scares you, if it makes you, like, a little bit nervous, like, oh, I don't know how I feel about this. Do it. I just posted something today on LinkedIn that's, like, could be kind of con it might some might see it as controversial, but I was, like, calling out, like, trends that I see that are gonna change in social media.

Sarah DandashyAnd, like, there's some things in the shifts I see coming, and I was like, oh, this makes me kinda nervous. I don't want people to take it the wrong way. But I was like, look. Let's do it. You know? And the chips will fall where they may. So yeah. Like, dude, not perfect. Are you kidding me? Stories, by the way, is what helped stories on Instagram is what helped me become, not as worried about failure or messing up, you know, because you could just be you. It's a story. It goes away after twenty four hours. Yeah.

the Future of HospitalityLove great advice. Ritu kind of that was my next question for you, and I think you have some great ones. Did did you ever receive, like, a fantastic advice that resonated with you in years?

Sarah DandashyWell, in regard I mean, yeah, all the time. I mean okay. Let's see. I'll share, like, what's been coming up with friends recently because I think it's so oftentimes, I feel like the discussions that we have with friends are very reflective of, like, what other people are going through. And so I've had a lot of friends recently. I mean, probably because it's the end of the year reflect back, and it's like, oh, I didn't go as hard as I I should have or I had this or I was pulled in all these different directions, and they're being very hard on themselves because, like, maybe they got laid off and they're, like, still trying to find a job or, you know, they've ended a relationship and they're now trying to, like, navigate that and what that feels like.

Sarah DandashyAnd I I saw this post, and it's this it was this reminder about, like, flowers don't continually bloom. They have moments where they bloom and they grow, and then they have moments where they're not, you know, in their off season. And just like how we apply that to training in physical fitness, we have to remind ourselves that, like, we're not go, go, go a 100 miles an hour all the time. Like, sometimes we just have to drive at a different speed. So but the most important thing is that we still continue moving forward. So just continue moving forward. You might drive 10 miles an hour or 15 miles an hour, maybe even five.

Sarah DandashyAnd then, like, things will shift, and then you're driving faster, thirty, sixty, whatever. But, like, we're never gonna constantly being in that, like, go mode. And so we have to understand the cycles to life and give ourselves grace when we have those moments because we need that moment to kind of, like, rest, regroup, recalibrate before we have another sort of season of bloom. So that's one of my favorite things that I've been thinking about lately.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. I wrote it down. You know? Oh my gosh. I will tattoo in my mind here because it's a beautiful way to look at it. Right? Because and I think ties back to your journey, to your point, right, about your all the years, everything that you do behind the scenes. Right? And then when they see the beauty that came out, all these achievements, all the accomplishments. Right? That's the blow. But then it's like,

Sarah Dandashywe need to always kind of go back and to your point, know, recheck with ourselves. What do we need to do different? Do we need to rest and and then keep keep going? Right? And and, like, life happens, and it's okay. Like, you know, maybe we've got, like, our professional life that we're on a trajectory, and it's like something's happening in our personal life. Like, maybe a a family member is sick or, like, there's a big change in your world. Like, give yourself that that credit that it's like, okay. We might just have to go through the motions, you know, professionally until we kinda, like, get in a better place, you know, personally, but it's but it's all okay. That's part of the human experience. And then, you know, all those lessons that we end up, hopefully, lessons that we end up learning through all of these things, we can just, you know, bloom even better, brighter, all of that. So yeah.

Sarah DandashyDidn't think you were going to go this deep with me, did you?

the Future of HospitalityNo. I, you know, but I don't know. Like, that's what I love about it, right? That, to your point, a little bit that unscripted thing because, you know, just hear kind of really, you know, what's inside and I couldn't be more thankful, right, for you for saying yes, for really opening up and sharing an amazing journey experience. I learned a lot about you that I didn't know And, you know, hopefully people love hearing from this because I think there's a lot about life, about growth and professional, but then also about the industry. And thanks for all you do for all of us, You know? I I love following you. I love watching You what you you always come from a a good place. You you bring light. You bring joy. And, yeah. It it it makes a big difference. So thank you. Oh my goodness. No. Thank you. I mean, again, like, you're doing and

Sarah Dandashyhaving these conversations and everything that you've been able to I mean, I think that that's what makes it so special is that this industry isn't an I industry. It's a we industry. And that's how we we grow and we learn from each other, and it just it just makes sense. And it's like to continue having those conversations because all too often, whatever we're going through and thinking, somebody else is as well. So sometimes we just have to extend that sort of hand, and it's like, hey. We're in this together, which is to me the root of hospitality.

the Future of HospitalityYeah. Amazing. So, Sarah, thank you. Thank you. Hope you have a great holiday season, and, I'm sure we'll be chatting soon again. Yes. Absolutely. Thank you for having me. Thank you.