“You don’t have to do it all on your own.”

You don’t have to do it all on your own. That’s the advice I’d give any owner or operator of a small, independent hotel. Find the right partner who can help elevate the areas where you may not have the internal talent or resources. Ask for help.

Working in hotels for decades, I’ve seen how hard it can be for smaller properties to get the support and resources they need—especially when they’re trying to stand out against major brands with deeper pockets and bigger teams. But success isn’t reserved for those under the big brand umbrella. In fact, sometimes being nimble and having an experienced partner to guide your investments in digital strategies, social media, distribution, connectivity, business development, or revenue management can actually save money in the long run.

The biggest mistake independent hotels make is treating every marketing dollar as an expense rather than an investment. Without a clear strategy and the right expertise, it’s tough to win more budget, scale effectively, or even recognize missed opportunities.

I’ve seen independent operators intentionally keep their teams lean, believing it’s cost-effective, only to find they’re leaving money on the table. An overstretched team isn’t just stressed – it’s losing revenue, missing upsell opportunities, and struggling to maintain guest satisfaction.

The real risk of not asking for help? You don’t know what you don’t know. That’s my favorite part of working with a new hotel—the deep dive into their business when we identify blind spots and uncover untapped potential together.

Without expertise in revenue management or digital marketing, some of the most impactful opportunities can go unnoticed. A small shift in pricing strategy, a more effective digital campaign, or stronger guest engagement can drive significant revenue growth – but only if someone else sees the gap and has the know-how to fix it.

Independent hotels have never had more resources available to them. Whether it’s a hotel management company, a specialized agency, or a consultant, the right partner won’t just help execute a strategy – they’ll educate and empower your team. The key is knowing where to invest and who to trust to guide you. All you have to do is ask.