Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast - Episode 30

Episode Title: Guest Gabrielle Goode, Freelance Hospitality Marketing Specialist with Cassie Davison

Guest: Gabrielle Goode, Freelance Hospitality Marketing Specialist
Host: Cassie Davison
Contact Details:LinkedIn - Gabrielle Goode

In this episode of the Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast, Cassie Davison welcomes Gabrielle Goode, a freelance marketing specialist who has worked with some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, including The Ivy Collection, Caprice Holdings, and Langan's Brasserie. Gabrielle shares her journey from growing up in a hospitality family, falling in love with the industry, and transitioning from operations to marketing. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the impact of data-driven marketing, and the evolving challenges of attracting and retaining customers in a fast-changing industry.

• Born into a family with a history of pub ownership in London.

• Early experiences in hospitality fueled her passion for the industry.

• Worked in cocktail bars in Nottingham during university, surrounded by industry professionals who continue to shape hospitality today.

• Inspired by luxurious dining experiences at top London restaurants like Petrus and Alain Ducasse.

• The emotional connection to hospitality and how it creates lasting memories.

• The role of fine details in elevating guest experience, from service to ambiance.

• Started in PR but realized her passion was in hospitality marketing.

• Worked with Cirrus Inns, developing award-winning marketing campaigns.

• Moved on to The Ivy Collection, where she spearheaded press-worthy campaigns and high-impact site launches.

• The importance of knowing your customer base and brand identity.

• How data, AI, and CRM systems play a crucial role in personalized marketing.

• The difference between mass marketing and targeted luxury marketing strategies.

• Navigating fast-changing customer expectations and trends.

• The balance between digital marketing and real-life brand experiences.

• Avoiding the "race to the bottom" in pricing strategies and instead creating value-driven customer loyalty.

• Gabrielle’s transition into freelance hospitality marketing.

• Working with diverse clients, from high-end rooftop bars in Dublin to the superyacht industry.

• The challenges and rewards of running a marketing consultancy, including self-promotion and business strategy.

• “The best restaurants don’t just serve food—they create experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.” – Gabrielle Goode

• “Marketing is more than just social media; it’s about storytelling, brand positioning, and truly understanding your audience.” – Gabrielle Goode

• “The customer hasn’t disappeared—they’re just more selective. It’s our job to make sure the experience is worth their investment.” – Cassie Davison

• Connect with Gabrielle Goode on LinkedIn:LinkedIn Profile

• Gabrielle’s Website:The Hospitality Marketer

• Host: Cassie Davison:www.cassiedavison.co.uk

Don’t miss an episode of Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast! Subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with hospitality professionals looking for fresh insights on marketing, customer engagement, and brand storytelling.

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Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast -

Guest: Ines Llerena del Blanco, Pricing Strategist at Pearson Ham Group

Host: Cassie Davison

In this episode of the Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast, Cassie Davison sits down with Ines Llerena del Blanco, a pricing strategist with 25 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Ines shares her journey from working in restaurant operations to becoming a pricing consultant, helping businesses develop effective pricing strategies. She discusses the role of data in pricing decisions, the importance of customer insights, and how pricing impacts profitability in hospitality.

• Inspired by childhood experiences at family friends' restaurants.

• Studied Hotel & Restaurant Management in the US after receiving a scholarship.

• Gained hands-on experience working in various hospitality roles, including Compass Group, Club Med, and Intercontinental Hotels.

• Transitioned from operations into pricing consultancy after obtaining a Master’s degree from Cornell University.

• Why Pricing Matters: Margins in hospitality are razor-thin, and pricing is crucial for profitability and sustainability.

• Key Factors in Pricing Strategy: Understanding brand identity, customer expectations, and market conditions.

• The Role of Data: Using transactional data to determine demand trends, optimal pricing, and customer purchasing behavior.

• Technology's Influence: AI and data analytics are now accessible even to smaller businesses, helping them make informed pricing decisions.

• Hospitality businesses must define their brand and understand their customer base to set effective prices.

• Pricing strategies should align with customer expectations and perceived value.

• Businesses can leverage AI and big data to refine their pricing models.

• Pricing adjustments should be clearly communicated to both customers and staff.

• Staff training is critical in handling customer feedback on pricing.

• Poor communication can negatively impact customer perception and trust.

• The industry has evolved, but long hours and operational demands remain significant challenges.

• Women in leadership roles in hospitality are still underrepresented due to work-life balance challenges.

• The industry fosters resilience, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Hospitality careers are diverse, from front-line operations to data analytics, consulting, and strategy.

• There are growing opportunities in pricing strategy, revenue management, and customer experience optimization.

• The industry offers valuable skills that are transferable to other sectors.

• “The only way to provide an amazing experience is by generating profits – training staff, using quality ingredients, and maintaining beautiful venues all require financial investment.” – Ines Llerena

• “So much of pricing is about perception. How you communicate price changes can be just as important as the prices themselves.” – Ines Llerena

• “This industry teaches resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. It prepares you for anything.” – Cassie Davison

• Connect with Ines Llerena del Blanco on LinkedIn: LinkedIn - Ines Llerena del Blanco⁠

• Host: Cassie Davison:www.cassiedavison.co.uk

Don’t miss an episode of Kith & Kin Hospitality Podcast!

Subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with fellow hospitality professionals who are looking to refine their pricing strategies and enhance their business profitability.

Thank you for listening!

Host: Cassie Davison
Guest: Richard Dickson, Co-Founder of Play It Green

In this episode, Cassie welcomes Richard Dickson, co-founder of Play It Green, to share his journey of creating a business that drives real, impactful change. Richard discusses how his passion for conscious capitalism, sustainability, and community has evolved through his career, blending his expertise with a mission to help businesses—and hospitality in particular—reduce their environmental footprint and make a difference.

From his experiences in retail and working with global initiatives, Richard explains the importance of behavioral change, cultural shifts, and the role of nature repair as part of a holistic approach to sustainability.

• Richard’s Journey: From questioning everything as a child to co-founding a business rooted in purpose and values.
• Hospitality Connection: How Richard fell in love with hospitality through impactful initiatives like “a quid on a bill.”
• Conscious Capitalism: Building a business where profit drives positive impact—10% of turnover goes directly to charity.
• Overcoming Challenges: Richard opens up about struggles with mental health, an unsupportive boss, and how his autism diagnosis shaped his outlook.
• Play It Green’s Solution: Helping businesses make sustainability easy with step-by-step support, nature repair (trees, mangroves, sea kelp), and transparent reporting.
• Impact for Hospitality: How hospitality businesses can effortlessly integrate sustainability, engage their teams, attract younger customers, and make a real difference.

Richard shares how Play It Green works seamlessly with hospitality businesses:

• Easy to Join: Add £1 to bills to support nature repair and social giving.
• Zero Admin: Fully automated systems integrated with EPOS partners like Zonal.
• Tangible Impact: Transparent, blockchain-verified data showing exactly where and how contributions make a difference.
• Support & Guidance: Resources, templates, and education to help businesses on their sustainability journey.

🎯 The Outcome: Happier teams, engaged customers, and a future-proofed, purpose-driven business.

🗣️ “Sustainability isn’t just about trees and carbon. It’s about culture, behavior, and people.”
🗣️ “When people feel valued and understood in a business, they perform better and stay longer.”

🌍 Website: playitgreen.com
📧 Email: richard@playitgreen.com

Play It Green makes it easy for hospitality businesses to embed sustainability, create impact, and connect with purpose—all while staying profitable.

📢 Want to learn more? Reach out to Richard or visit the Play It Green website for a seamless way to start your sustainability journey.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
Be inspired by Richard’s powerful story, his mission to support businesses and communities, and his passion for creating a sustainable future.

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