Episode 008 | Acquiring Hotels w. Omari Head
Economic Empowerment Podcast
Acquiring Hotels w/ The #1 Hotel Broker in the WORLD In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with Omari Head, a leading hotel broker and advisor at Paramount Lodging Advisors, to break down the crucial role brokers play in hotel acquisitions. Whether you're an experienced investor or just beginning your journey into hotel ownership, understanding how deals get sourced, structured, and closed is essential. Omari shares expert insights on: ✅ What hotel brokers actually do behind the scenes ✅ How they add value to buyers and sellers ✅ How to evaluate...
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Episode 007 | Focus Up
Economic Empowerment Podcast
The Top 5 Things You Should Focus on When Analyzing a Hotel Deal In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee breaks down the top five things every investor should focus on when analyzing a hotel deal. Whether you’re a first-time investor or looking to diversify your portfolio into hospitality, this episode offers practical insights to help you evaluate opportunities with confidence. Hotels are not just real estate—they’re operating businesses. And success depends on understanding more than just location and aesthetics. Ramel shares his...
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Episode 006 | Lessons Learned
Economic Empowerment Podcast
From Monopoly to Hotel Ownership: My Journey into Hospitality Investing In this special solo episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee takes you inside his personal journey into hotel investing—from his early inspiration to becoming a hotel owner and launching RDL Hotel Fund I. Owning a hotel might seem like an exclusive opportunity reserved for the wealthy, but Ramel’s story proves otherwise. He breaks down: 🏨 How a childhood game of Monopoly planted the seed for real estate investing. 🎙️ The turning point—hearing Davonne Reaves discuss Black hotel ownership...
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Episode 005 | Property Management w. Daymain Smith
Economic Empowerment Podcast
The Key to Success in Hotel Investing: The Role of Hotel Management Companies with Daymain Smith of Synergy Hospitality In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with Daymain Smith, CEO of Synergy Hospitality Group, to explore one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of hotel investing—property management. A successful hotel investment isn’t just about acquiring the right property; it’s about running it efficiently, maximizing revenue, and ensuring long-term profitability. That’s where property management companies come in. Daymain...
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Episode 004 | Hotel Franchising w. Marcus Thomas
Economic Empowerment Podcast
In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with Marcus Thomas, Emerging Markets Director at Choice Hotels, to break down the ins and outs of hotel franchising. Whether you're an aspiring hotel owner or an investor curious about the hospitality industry, this episode will give you a front-row seat to the world of franchising. Marcus shares his expertise on: What hotel franchising is and how it differs from independent hotel ownership The step-by-step process of becoming a hotel franchisee with Choice Hotels Key financial requirements and how to secure funding...
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Episode 003 | Self Directed IRAs w. Paul Herbes
Economic Empowerment Podcast
In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with Paul Herbes of B Equity Trust to demystify the world of self-directed IRAs and explore creative ways to fund your investments. If you’ve ever wondered how to put your retirement funds to work beyond traditional stocks and bonds, this episode is a must-listen. Paul breaks down the fundamentals of self-directed IRAs, explaining how they offer flexibility to invest in alternative assets like real estate, private equity, and even hotel investments. He shares insights on: • The key differences between traditional...
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Episode 002 | Asset Management w. Tommy Beyer
Economic Empowerment Podcast
In this episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with Tom Beyer of B Hospitality Advisors to dive deep into the world of hotel asset management. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or exploring your first steps into hotel ownership, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights on how to maximize the value of your hospitality investments. Tom shares his expertise on: • The fundamentals of hotel asset management and its critical role in driving profitability. • Key performance metrics (KPIs) that investors should monitor to ensure their properties...
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Episode 001 | Crowdfunding w. Davonne Reaves
Economic Empowerment Podcast
Unlocking Hotel Ownership Through Crowdfunding with Davonne Reaves In the debut episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with the inspiring Davonne Reaves, CEO and Founder of Vesterr, to explore the transformative power of crowdfunding in the hotel investment industry. As a trailblazer in Black hotel ownership, Davonne shares her journey from aspiring entrepreneur to creating a platform that opens the doors of hotel ownership to everyday investors. Together, Ramel and Davonne delve into how crowdfunding has revolutionized the hospitality sector, breaking down...
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Episode 000 | The Prequel
Economic Empowerment Podcast
Economic Empowerment isn’t just about business; it’s about creating access to knowledge few have the chance to see. From alternative investments to events shaping the economy, Ramel Lee dives deep, sharing insights and conversations with industry power players who will give you the tools you need to make your money work for you
info_outlineUnlocking Hotel Ownership Through Crowdfunding with Davonne Reaves
In the debut episode of the Economic Empowerment Podcast, host Ramel Lee sits down with the inspiring Davonne Reaves, CEO and Founder of Vesterr, to explore the transformative power of crowdfunding in the hotel investment industry. As a trailblazer in Black hotel ownership, Davonne shares her journey from aspiring entrepreneur to creating a platform that opens the doors of hotel ownership to everyday investors.
Together, Ramel and Davonne delve into how crowdfunding has revolutionized the hospitality sector, breaking down barriers for retail investors who may not have large amounts of capital. Davonne explains how Vesterr vets hotel opportunities, making it easier for investors to find quality deals, and shares tips for first-time investors looking to get started in the world of hotel crowdfunding.
This episode also tackles common misconceptions, the risks involved, and how to mitigate them, while highlighting success stories of investors who’ve used Vesterr to achieve their financial goals. As Davonne discusses the role of technology and the trends shaping the future of hotel investing, she inspires listeners with a vision for democratizing wealth-building opportunities in the hospitality industry.
Whether you’re new to investing or looking to diversify your portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you take the first step. Learn how Vesterr is redefining hotel ownership and discover why now is the perfect time to invest in this thriving asset class.