NO RESERVATION WITH JOE BAKER

E15 | "Investing In People" - Hassel Aviles

This week we check in with Hassel Aviles, co-founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Not 9 to 5. She walks us through her unique path, with early culinary influences from her family and culture to discovering her own desire to work in the hospitality industry.  She shares how her work experiences steered her deeper understanding of what care and compassion for people, communities and workplace culture means, but also helped identify the voids and lack of resources to support and care for the people within the tourism and hospitality industry, and ultimately led her to create an initiative focused on raising awareness about mental health in the workplace, providing education and resources to support community. Join our conversation as we uncover the stigmas surrounding mental health and psychological safety in the workplace.  From exploring the evolution of hospitality as an industry founded on the care of people to exposing how toxic work environments can impact mental health and well-being, we discuss the importance of offering resources and encouraging vulnerability and courage to seek support, and consider why investing in the next generation is critical for creating safe spaces focused on supporting and recognizing what people are feeling. Tune in and find out why Hassel has no reservation.

E14 | "You Need Me" - Landon Logie

This week we chat with Landon Logie, founder and CEO of Landon Logie Events. She shares how her passion for events has always been a part of her life and shaped her career journey to become a successful event planner and hospitality professional. She explains that the blend of influences from family, industry professionals and her studies all contributed to her path, while being persistent and confident in her passions and talent, and having the ability to reinvent, all which led her to become a successful entrepreneur. Join us as we discuss how recognizing our passions and interests can shape the networks and connections we make, the types of learning we pursue, and the experiences we create.  From finding your niche to turning it into your business, we explore the changing hospitality and tourism events landscape post pandemic, how we incorporate changing technology, and why it’s important that we focus on balance and care for the talent we continue to attract and retain when rewriting the narrative of bringing people together. Tune in and find out why Landon has no reservation.

E13 | "Music Saved My Life" - Pat Robitaille

Tune in this week as we riff with the talented Pat Robitaille, Manager of Tourism, Arts & Culture at KLB Consulting.  He takes us on his musical journey, landing in Nashville as a musician and recording artist before leaving Music City to call Toronto home.  He shares the impact and healing power that writing and recording music and performing live events has had on his life and career path, and why the tourism and hospitality industry struck a chord with him, influencing his decision to pursue a career in this sector. Join us as we sound off on why it’s important to discover what you’re good at and why shining a spotlight on your passions, creativity and uniqueness can benefit the places we work.   From embracing our diversity to recognizing what unites people, we explore how our lived experiences can increase our empathy and shape who we are in the capacity of our current roles, and why blending our experiences and perspectives is essential to build community, grow our networks, and amplify our passions. Tune in and find out why Pat has no reservation.

E12 | "Time For Something New" - Elyse Godard

This week we are live from Kelowna, BC and dialling up a conversation with Elyse Godard, Hotel Manager of Hotel Zed.  We learn about her journey from Ontario to British Columbia and all the opportunities that brought her back and forth and in between, guided by her genuine care of people and animals that made her a natural fit in the hospitality industry. Always seeking a challenge, she shares her colourful career path and what she has learned along the way, discovered about her own interests, and how she arrived at a place that made her feel comfort and empowered to be different while continuing to focus on personal and career growth.  Join us as we explore how stepping outside of our comfort zones to take risks and explore new and unknown career directions can lead to opportunities for fresh starts, new challenges, and growth.  From learning from other people, communities and cultures, to pushing and expanding our boundaries and embracing change and uncertainty, we discuss how this can lead to discovering our own interests and ambitions as well as leadership styles and strengths, and how the culture you create and welcome people into can help you arrive in a place where you can be you.  Tune in and find out why Elyse has no reservation.

E11 | "The Healing Journey" - Jennifer Ménard-Shand

This week we sit down with Jennifer Ménard-Shand, Founder and CEO of the staffing firm Staff Shop Inc. She recounts the difficult experiences of her youth that led her on a journey of discovery and healing. With the support and guidance of community and faith along the way, her determination to escape the trauma from personal adversity and focus on the future shaped her personal and career path to bring her to present day achievements and fulfillment through her resiliency and drive towards success. Join us as we talk candidly about how the challenges faced in our lives can set the foundation for how we construct our future and why it is important to recognize and embrace the people and communities that want to help you along the way.  From navigating hardship to creating new experiences and relying on supportive communities that treat people well, we explore how this translates to attracting, retaining and valuing talent within the tourism and hospitality industry, what sets staffing organizations apart, how we can help talent and businesses move forward in an era of change, and why no one makes it alone. Tune in and find out why Jennifer has no reservation.