Lina Patel, Director, Strategic Franchise Initiatives, Red Roof, interviewed by David Kong

Lina shares her learnings from leading over 1000 people on their journey to Kailash, and her experience being a pioneer in women hotel ownership 20 some years ago. She discusses her passion in serving on the boards of AAHOA and LPS and the launch of HerOwnership program. Lina then offers lessons from the disappointments and setbacks in her career and some tips on networking. We also talk about overcoming the imposter syndrome and “head trash.”  You wouldn’t want to miss Lina’s parting advice for aspiring women and other underrepresented groups.

Transcript

Lina Patel, Hotelier, Board Director and Women Advocate interviewed by David Kong

David Kong: Greetings. I'm David Kong, the founder and principal of the DEI advisors. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to self-empowerment. We're delighted to have Lina Patel on our show today. Welcome, Lina. Thank you. Lina is on the board of directors of several organizations, including the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and Lueva Patidar Samaj.

She's well known in our industry, especially among the Asian community, to be a strong advocate for women in hotel ownership. She grew up in our industry, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, working the front desk, and even mowing lawns, prior to her owning her first hotel in the early 2000's, she's also the founder and partner of Himalayan Glacier tracking L c, and she leads adventure travel to Nepal, India.

Lina, you have such an impressive and interesting background. Can you tell us more and share some of the key inflection points with us? 

Lina Patel: First of all, David, thank you so much for inviting me to your interview. This is amazing and I really appreciate what you're doing to empower women and underrepresented hotel owners and leaders out there. I really appreciate that. . It's been an amazing journey, so thus far, and it continues to build as we go along. I'm really excited to share some of the insights and some of the story. I'm I love storytelling, so this is my game, so I'm really excited to ha share some stories with you today.

David Kong: Great to have you. Tell us about your career journey and how you became who you are. 

Lina Patel: So I am a second generation hotelier. We immigrated to United States in 1983. Of course, like everybody else, we started with coming to one of our uncle's place and we learned. And then from there we purchased our own hotel and continued our journey from there.

I remember going through high school and college and universities that I would always schedule my classes around where I can be home in time to help my parents to do second shift. My parents didn't speak English properly, so every day my dad had a list of questions for me that I can explain to him on what does this mean?

What does that mean? What does that mean, so I, it is amazing. I, we, I learned a lot from them. So that experience led me to not want to be in the hotel industry initially. So I stepped away and worked in the corporate world for 10 years with Lexus Nexus. It's an online database company. And continued my career there.

And then eventually stepped back into hotel industry 20 years ago by purchasing my first days in hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. . Here we're today. 

David Kong: Sounds like a very interesting journey and not unlike a lot of immigrant families. It's learning things through the school of hard knocks and, but that's a great way to build character and that really helped us become who we are today. It's great to hear your story. Lina, you lead adventure travel and you've actually led over a thousand people to Kailash, which is close the Nepal, and those journeys are difficult and not without challenges, and I'm sure there were a lot of surprises along the way. Can you share some experiences of those journeys and what your 

Lina Patel: learnings are?

Oh, absolutely. That's one of my favorite topic. I started, I've always been attracted to mountaineering, even growing up as a teenager and would always do lots of local hikes and and which led to. Hiking Abre base camp in the year 2008 with a all female group of women from three different countries, four different countries.

There was four of us women which we accomplished. Man base camp. That opened up so many doors for me where. I was approached by a Nepal based company to partner with. So we formed the company in 2008, nine in United States. And in 2010, I remember leading my first group of 21 people.

To the Tibet side of the Himalayas where I've never been. And it was my first time that we led and it was absolutely an amazing experience. I have a great team of Sherpa and Porters and cooks today that travel with me, and since then it has been nonstop every year. I take one group of people to the Himalayas and lead them.

And here we are today, 13 years later, and it is my wellness journey and it is my philanthropy journey that I feel that I am able to give back to the world. And. , it's taught me a lot, lots of challenges along the way. Lots of laugh, making decisions, altitude, sickness, evacuation, everything happens.

But when I come back the, the difficulties that I faced, the skills that I learned there, I was able to apply it to my day-to-day hotel life. And I thought, oh, this is easy. Yes, this can happen. Let's, the challenges there. Compared to the challenges we face in the hotel industry, was nothing. It just made life so much easier for me. . 

David Kong: Sounds like those trips toughen you up. . Yes, it did. Absolutely.

Wonderful. It's interesting also that you call those trips wellness trips and philanthropy trips because it helps you and puts you in better spirits. 

Lina Patel: Absolutely. It's something that I feel like it, I would've never thought of it growing up that I could do, but I'm able to step away, step outside of my box to be able to do something like this.

David Kong: Wonderful. Now you are alluded to your owning your first hotel - a Days Inn in the early two thousands. That was very early on when it's very difficult for women to own hotels. From a brand standpoint or insurance standpoint, or the financing lending standpoint, just very difficult. Tell us, how things have progressed over that period of time. Are there still a lot of challenges that women face and what can we do about that? 

Lina Patel: Yeah. Like today we have so many organizations and br many brands that have come forward and collaborated and created programs specifically geared towards women, hotel ownership or underrepresented hotel ownership. And it, it's a blessing. . Last year, a HOA launched her ownership, which I know we'll talk about it more later. But we have h and la with Forward, we have brands, multiple brands that have their own initiative that have put together. So it's a blessing. Education is out there, connection is out there, network is out there for women to just take on these opportunities. Some of the challenges we still continue to face, I believe, are in the lending sector. It's difficult even till today to be able to, as a woman to walk into a bank or a lender to, apply for a loan. First question oh, where's your husband? is, can we have to have your husband's name on it? So things like that, those challenges are still there. But I am very confident that as industry as a whole, collectively we will be able to make some necessary changes that needs to happen to move forward. Back 20 years ago when I had my first hotel, it was. Old boys Club. I'll be honest with you.

It's very difficult to gain insights and we always learn from peer to peer and by networking. So it's very difficult for used to be very difficult back in the days for women to just walk into a room with many men to have that conversation because women were always the back behind the scene in the hotel industry. They were the backbone of the industry, but they were always behind the curtain. . But now you see more and more women in the leadership position and more and more women in the ownership position. 

David Kong: That's so wonderful to see. It's finally time. Women taking leadership position and ownership as well as in brands, but it's a regrettable that the lending institutions are still not awakening, awakening to reality. It's a shame to hear what you just said. That they want to have the husband. or they'd require a husband to show up to approve a loan. That's just ridiculous 

Lina Patel: in this day and age. 

Yes. And they go, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, but they go through this list of, five or 15 things of, okay, is this here, is this there? Is this there? And it's all through paper. So of course it's on the paper. It may not seem like I'm qualified, for example, as a woman because I may be the co partner of a. and the main person would be my husband, for example. So those are the kind of changes that needs to happen. It is happening. It's happening. We held a lending panel at our heart ownership conference last year. We invited some of the bank owners to come and participate and we have been in conversation with them and asking them to make some changes specifically that are geared towards. ownership. What can we do to understand that this is a qualified women hotel owner?

David Kong: That's great that we are all working together. Industry and associations and different people working together improve the situation. That's wonderful. And you talked about AAHOA or the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, her ownership program, which you are really proud of because you helped to cO-found that program. Tell us about that. 

Lina Patel: AAHOA has always provided a platform for women to network and learn and grow since its inception 30 some years ago. , it's always been there. There has always been town halls and networking and seminars and all that, that are specifically here towards women advancement. Last year after me being on the board for past six years, we've held over 60 education sessions and networking events throughout my leadership on the board of oaa and So it was never a really rec, I feel like it was not really recognized what a HOA was doing for women's advancement. But since last year, we branded.

What we've been doing, and we called it her ownership. And we launched the conference. After a few years, obviously we went through pandemic, so we weren't able to do conferences. And we held the conference, we launched that. We invited brands. To come and talk about the initiatives that they're taking for women's advancement in hotel ownership.

We invited other organizations, the lenders, the insurance company, everyone to talk about what we are doing what are the resources out there, and we gathered them all under one roof. Along with that, we also integrated a wellness program with that. So every other session we had a 15 minute wellness session, which allowed us to be able to focus and concentrate.

We had so much material we covered in two days that Even till the last session, on the last day, pin drop silence and hundred percent focus was there because we integrated this wellness session into it. So was a fantastic event. I'm very proud of where we are with a Hoel for Ownership program and it's going to escalate even more than where it is.

David Kong: , kudos to everyone involved in this her ownership program at AAHOA. I've heard lots of people talking about it and kudos to all those involved. That's great. Now, Lina, you've served on AAHOA board for six years

and then you were also the first female director on the L P S board. Why were you so interested in serving on these boards and why are you so interested in giving back? 

Lina Patel: Okay. 

One thing for sure that led us to do that my brothers and I grew up watching our uncle be part of the community and the servings and the volunteering that he did.

Since we were teenagers, we've always watched him. So he has been our mentor and our guiding light to be able to take on and move his legacy forward. We initially moved to Nashville, Tennessee, outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and that's where we were and we watched. Tim be part of the community as well as the hotel organizations, and that's what led us to be where we are. Why was I always involved in that? I've always had that passion. I. Remember my son is now a fourth or fifth generation, fourth generation hotelier. I wanted to make sure that he stays connected with the culture and the community. So LPs was started by the same forefathers that started a hok. back in the day and it's very dear to our hearts. And it's a great way for all of us to stay connected throughout, within. I remember I used to take my son back in the day to some of the LPs board meetings, which we can talk about it later as well. 

That's 

David Kong: just so wonderful tohear. I have such great admiration for the Indian community that are so tight knit. It's just like big family. It's just, very heartwarming to see. Now, Lina, you've come through , lot of difficulties. You've had a fair number of setbacks and disappointments. What experience can you share with us and can you tell us about your 

Lina Patel: learning?

Oh yes, absolutely. In hotel industry we've gone through so many different cycles over the last 20, 30 years on setbacks and disappointments and the the crisis in 2008 and 2001 and, pandemic and we've all overcome it. But I'll be honest with you, every time that we've had these setbacks as a community as a whole, there has.

Opened up so many, we've come out so much stronger ev in every setbacks that we've had. My personal journey, I remember in 2008 and nine when, you know everybody was going through what I was going through. I was on the verge of losing my hotel. I started. getting connected and getting involved in attending a lot of the or meetings that with organizations local Chamber of Commerce and everything out there that I can and put my hands on to learn because I realized that.

The best learning is peer-to-peer learning. We learn the most, we gain most insights when we are networking with people. And I since then, and that helped me to overcome my challenges and find answers and to be able to save my hotel. . So I always say this even to my son, that do not underestimate the power of involvement with organizations and peer-to-peer learning.

It is by far so much highly weighted than even classroom learning. 

David Kong: I totally agree with you. I think the best learning that you can get through all these difficulties. It's really that peer to peer learning. There's so much good advice all around you. You just have to go and ask them. ask people, who are going through the same situation. There's so much to learn. 

Lina Patel: Yes, we are never alone. That's one thing we realize. If I'm going through something at my hotel, I'm sure there's somebody else going through the same thing. 

David Kong: Let's talk about mentors and sponsors. Have you had people that helped you along the way? Who mentored you, who sponsored you? And if so, tell us about that experience and tell us how you think others can find mentors and sponsors to help them. , 

Lina Patel: We are surrounded by mentors and sponsors on our day-to-day life. It's a matter of recognizing what we can learn from that individual. I learned so much, for example from just having a communication or conversation with my housekeeping team.

I learned from my friend desk team. I learned from. Mentors within the organization at high level conversing with CEOs, conversing with anyone. So it's Matt. It's not just one mentor that will help you through your life. I feel that just recognizing what you're learning from. , anyone that you have that conversation with is what matters.

I tend to fill my cup with advice that I get from different different people and pull it out as I need it as the situations occur. Another way is social media. Nowadays. There's so many things out there that is that you can read through and watch to learn from. also, look, sometimes we tend to look outside of the box on, oh, I need a teacher, or I need somebody that can mentor me. It's more looking within your circle, your inner circle to find that mentor. 

David Kong: Said. And this is consistent with some of the comments we've heard from other leaders who have talked about that. Mentors and sponsors don't have to be formal. and to please look at every situation as a learning opportunity and you can always learn from people. Yeah. Very good. Now, Lina, you are very well connected in the industry. It seems like everybody knows Lina . So tell us about your secrets to networking . 

Lina Patel: It's always. Hotel years, particularly women get so inundated with the day-to-day life from waking up in the morning to attending to the hotels, to attending to the children.

Many in within our community are multi family living together. So the day just goes by so fast, so we don't give ourselves time to step away from that to be able to attend. So for me, I always feel like. Get out, take the time away. I know it's difficult to step away from what we're doing on a day-to-day life, and we feel like we may struggle with that, but step away to go attend an event and to go network because you will come back learning so much more when you are on that platform.

I remember, throughout my six years on a hoa having. Town halls and events that are specifically geared towards women hotels here across the country. And when I'm making phone calls and inviting them first thing I say is if there's an issue of childcare, bring your children with you.

I will have a table there for them with activities so they can sit there and do their activity, and they can still learn. And in many instances, children have attended our events and they have actually participated in our discussion as well. That's so thought 

David Kong: to you. Wow. . How ingenious. I like that . Thank you.

That's 

Lina Patel: wonderful. Like I said, I used to take my eight year old son to LPs board meetings back in the day. I thought, I don't have babysitting. I'm taking him with me. And he would sit there in our board meeting, listen, he'd have his games and, artwork to do. And it's amazing because children listen.

They listen and they admire and they watch us. I remember coming home, he would just have conversation with me about, mom, what was that topic? What were you guys talking about? Tell me more about that. And I just feel like it's just amazing to have them ex have that exposure for children.

David Kong: It must have been such a wonderful learning experience for your son and I applaud LPs for being so progressive for allowing that to happen.

Absolutely.

That's great to hear. . Now let's talk about, the imposter syndrome. A lot of us have that when we don't feel comfortable being in a room or the table, we feel like we're not good enough to belong there or because there's a lack of diversity or for whatever other reason. , have you experienced that? And if so, how do you overcome the imposter syndrome?

Oh 

Lina Patel: many times. I'll be honest with you I've been the only women in the room or on the board meetings or at the table or any meetings. Yes it's overwhelming. But what I realize is, Preparing myself more than what's even necessary is what makes me feel so good when I walk into that room.

Like today, I prepared myself so well before our interview today. I was very nervous coming on with you and but that's what it is. Preparation is number one key understanding that other people aren't thinking what you are thinking when you walk into that. . It's not the same feeling there.

That's not what it is. It's what your thought is that's making you have that imposter syndrome. 

David Kong: But oftentimes we are our own worst critic. Just very natural for most people that I know. now that really ties into the next topic, which is hat trash. We tend to be very self-critical and we tend to be negative in a way that we think about ourselves.

Some of us do anyway. , how do you deal with Hatch vash when you do have those 

Lina Patel: negative thoughts? Oh, yes. Those negative thoughts. I almost want to say I have a Dr. Prosecco, but I shouldn't say that. . . But no, we all have those, I, overall, I'm a very positive thinker. Sometimes I feel like I live in this bubble of positivity and life is grand and great, but of course we go through those moments in our life and.

The best way to deal with that is, talk things through, talk to yourself, talk with your thoughts on what it is. Cuz answers are always within us. Talk with your family, your friends, your peers, your support group or to talk it out. And also I tend to remember a difficult situation I may have had in the past that, and how did I overcome that? And all those things helpsto get rid of that negative thought in my mind. 

David Kong: Yeah. Good advice. Thank you. Taking risks, you've taken a lot of risk in your career. Tell us about some of those examples and what we can learn from 

Lina Patel: that. 

Okay. Overall I'm a very low risk taker, but obviously there has been always been chance of taking risk, especially, being in the hotel industry.

You never know which way the market is going to go. Again, preparing yourself Know what's out there, what's available. Connecting with people, networking, peer to peer, all of those things is what helps us to get through difficult times. For example, we're going through Reno complete renovation with our hotel right now, and.

The difficulties we're facing is finding folks to come behind the renovators to do all the deep cleaning and whatnot, and it's just a struggle. It's always a struggle every step of the way, but we always find ways to, figure out what we can do to get that, get through that. Things 

David Kong: always work out.

things always work out. The famous saying, this too shall pass no matter how difficult it seems. Yeah. This too shall pass. Absolutely. And but do you find that taking risk is necessary if you want to broaden your horizon or gain knowledge on something or benefits you in other ways?

Lina Patel: It's a balance. , I do find myself at times to be able to, step outside of my comfort zone to, for that risk taking. But then again, it's all about preparing myself, knowing and having that knowledge. And once we have that knowledge and understanding then that risk taking, even though it's a high risk, you feel like you've done your.

and that chances are high that we will not fail and that we will continue. And so that's what it is. It's just preparing yourself to be able to and then when at that point when we fail, then it's okay because we know we did everything we possibly can. 

David Kong: Unfortunately we're coming to the end of our show running out of.

Can you leave the audience with one last piece of advice? This show is about self-empowerment, so what's your final piece of advice for us? 

Lina Patel: Oh, you don't never stop learning. There is always room to grow and learn in this life. The word retirement just does not exist in my vocabulary. I remember talking with , my husband when we turn 50 we're both 52 and 53 years old now, but oh, when we turn 50 we'll retire.

Now, obviously, we're like, oh, no. Let's continue doing what we're doing, till we are 65, till we're 70, we're putting this number on our head. And then last year I met a woman from Idaho, a hotel owner. She's 80 years old. and I had a conversation with her. She still continues to run her hotel and she still also has another business on her side.

And she continues to do everything she's still doing at that age. And I came home after that conversation and I told Pippin, we're never retiring. There's no such thing as retirement. We're gonna continue to do everything we possibly can for the rest of our. 

David Kong: Said. You've got to be, learning continuously, learning and broadening your horizon because that is what gives fulfillment to our lives. And retirement, it's just moving on to a different phase. You still have to be productive and find fulfillment. I appreciate your sharing your wisdom with us, Lina. Thank 

Lina Patel: you again. 

And thank you Mr. Kong for inviting me to, for this interview. It's been a pleasure and I really appreciate it. You made it very easy for me to. 

David Kong: Thanks again Lina and to our audience. If you enjoyed the show, I hope you'll visit our website, d ei advisor.org. We hope to see you there. Thank you.