Volume 001 : Introducing Built For Stories
Who we are, why we're starting this, and what you can expect
TLDR: Only have a minute? In every BFS newsletter we’ll recap the highlights and takeaways in just a few minutes for easy listening.
We’re Samantha and Zach.
We met through a mutual friend (shout out Samantha Shankman!) who knew us both separately and thought we would pair well together.
She was right.
We bonded over our desire to seek out, experience, and build compelling hospitality destinations.
The work that Samantha brings to the table is more in the “intangible” domain (concept, storytelling, guest experience, etc.) whereas the work that Zach handles is more in the “tangible” arena (budgets, schedules, construction, etc.)
Without Samantha there’s no concept, and without Zach, there’s no hotel - so there’s a clear symbiosis here and after meeting at the Regenerative Travel Summit (shout out Amanda Ho!) earlier this year as well as banding together on a nascent outdoor hospitality project, we thought a newsletter focused on how our respective elements and focuses play into each other to create compelling hospitality products.
We can let our imagination run wild, but if it can’t be brought to life in the physical realm, it’s all for nothing. Enter: Built For Stories.
Over the course of our friendship we’ve had discussions about:
How critical initial financial underwriting is to ensuring there is capital available to create a true experience for the guest.
How to balance experience against budget; when to spend more and when to creatively spend less
The trial & tribulations of site selection; feasibility, opportunity, challenges, and ensuring the business plan makes sense for the location
The beauty of adaptive-reuse and giving old buildings a second shot at becoming something incredible once again
The importance of building bespoke, story-driven amenities & spaces that can’t be replicated easily by other hotels
How hospitality is evolving to become meaningful gathering places (stay tuned for more on multi-concept & the future of members clubs)
And if you’ve thought about any of the above or anything related, trust us, you’re in the right place and we’re excited to have you along.
Big thanks to Serena & Ingrid of Habitante Studios for creating the Built For Stories brand! In need of a brand refresh? Reach out.