Sheila Farahpour brings a life-long passion for design, fashion and real estate to her role as vice president of global development with Edition and W Hotels, both lifestyle brands within Marriott International. Her parents design kitchens for residential and commercial properties, and “growing up around that definitely played a part” in her decision to seek a career that centers on design, says Farahpour, 37. The excitement of the real estate industry also appealed from an early age. “I always loved to play Monopoly. I still do,” she says. After earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maryland, Farahpour worked for RLJ Development. In the three years she was there, the company grew from about 10 to more than 130 hotels. “I fell into the industry and really fell in love with it,” she says.
Farahpour is one of 20 rising stars (all 40 and under) HOTELS interviewed for our May feature. All shared their insights about their lives in the business and thoughts about some of today’s challenges and opportunities. In a Wall Street Journal-sponsored series, read Farahpour’s responses to our questions and click here to link to the full list of interviews with HOTELS 20 Next-Gen hospitality leaders.
Contributed by Karen Kroll
HOTELS: How do you see hotel industry opportunities evolving? How plentiful and varied are the opportunities?
Sheila Farahpour: The industry is growing rapidly in terms of the diversity and geographic footprint of its offerings. As the industry and its disruptors become more sophisticated, exciting new areas of businesses are becoming available to the workforce. And as the global middle class explodes, demands for new destinations also are growing rapidly.
H: Do you think the glass ceiling has been shattered in the hotel industry? Or do old boys’ networks still prevail?
SF: Being a female in a generally male-dominated development role, I see it changing. When I first started there were maybe two or three females (in this discipline) and now there’s more than a dozen. I continue to do my job well and hopefully inspire other females to enter the development field. I think Marriott’s really given me this platform and made a continuous effort to support women. Companies are giving you the resources that you need to make it all happen.
H: How do you develop your network?
SF: Since I do global development, I get a chance to go to different conferences across the globe. I also use LinkedIn and social media, or even a phone call or email to stay in touch with people I meet.
H: How do company cultures need to shift to meet the needs of today’s workers and to ensure younger professionals are attracted to the hotel industry?
SF: I think company cultures are shifting to attract a younger and a more diverse professional. Innovation is key. Marriott does a lot of things to attract younger professionals, including its innovation lab and a social media lab.
H: What are the changing needs and priorities of next-generation leaders?
SF: The biggest thing is data. Next-gen leaders have grown up with the internet, social media and unlimited data and computing power. The ability to mine and analyze this data to improve performance is a critical change and a huge priority for next-gen leaders.
H: Why are people getting into the hotel business and what does the industry need to do to become more attractive? What’s attracting people now?
SF: Hospitality is a wonderful industry. It touches on a bunch of different areas, whether the interior design part, the construction side, owner relationships or the corporate side. It’s fascinating because there are so many different things you can do. There aren’t many industries that can say that. I also think there’s an inherent appeal because we all love to travel.
H: What do you care about the most when it comes to hotels and careers?
SF: Quality and integrity.
H: What about the business keeps you up at night?
SF: As the world grows smaller, macroeconomic and social-political situations have a ripple effect across the globe, whether it’s terror strikes, trade wars or currency fluctuations. These directly or indirectly affect everyone at every level.
H: To what do you most attribute your success and growth?
SF: I take pride in what I do, and in my work ethic. Also, I listen to colleagues, to business partners. Listening is one of the most important skills that can put you at that next level.
H: What advice would you give next gen hoteliers? What would you tell people entering the industry now?
SF: Hospitality is a wonderful industry and it’s very diverse, but you definitely should have a passion for the business. By having a passion for what you do, you’ll do a great job and people will see that.
H: Describe the things that you try to do every day, and why do you do them?
SF: I make lists and prioritize, and then cross things out.
H: Where do you find inspiration outside your industry?
SF: Interior design and fashion. Whether it’s grabbing the latest fashion magazine, reading Elle Décor or visiting another hotel that has some really cool interior design features, I think all those are great sources of inspiration.
H: Who inspires you?
SF: I find a lot of inspiration in they women in our senior leadership executive team, like Stephanie Linnartz. They’re able to have a career and have a family. I have an 8-year-old, so it’s really inspiring for me. They do everything so well. Also, my mom. She still works six days a week designing kitchens and loves what she does. She wins numerous awards. I definitely find her inspirational.
H: What’s one prediction you’re willing to make about your discipline in the coming year?
SF: The benefits of scale will continue to reveal themselves. You’re going to see more consolidation in our industry.