He Left Medicine to Build a $187M Hotel Empire—Here’s How! - Sujay Mehta Interview

03/03/25 • 62 min

In this episode of Radical Hospitality, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Sujay Mehta, the entrepreneur behind Bloom Ventures, a company managing over $187 million in hotel assets. Sujay’s journey is anything but ordinary—starting in medical research and addiction rehab before pivoting into boutique hotels and real estate development. He shares how a life-changing spiritual retreat influenced his business approach, why boutique hotels are better than multifamily investments, and the unexpected challenges of hotel development. Tune in to hear insider tips on raising capital, working with hotel brands, and managing a thriving hospitality business while balancing family life.
00:00 – Welcome to Radical Hospitality: Meet Sujay
01:07 – Sujay’s Wildly Diverse Background (Medical, Rehab, Real Estate)
04:45 – A Life-Changing Spiritual Retreat That Changed Everything
10:08 – Why Boutique Hotels Over Multifamily Investments?
16:45 – The Challenges of Running a Hotel vs. Other Real Estate
22:32 – Building a $7M Hotel: Costs, Financing, and Construction
34:15 – The Truth About Hotel Franchise Fees (And How They Get You!)
42:10 – The Rise of Container Hotels: Inside His Next Big Project
51:03 – How To Invest in Hotels & Get Involved with Sujay
56:45 – Where To Follow Sujay & Closing Thoughts

Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
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02:30 – How Jay Feaster Got Started in Real Estate
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14:30 – The Role of Investors in Development
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26:00 – The ADU Trend & What It Means for Homeowners
34:00 – Custom Homes vs. Buying Existing Homes
41:00 – Where Are the Next Real Estate Opportunities in Denver?
48:00 – Closing Thoughts & Future Episodes

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01:32 Exploring Mediterranean Culture
05:18 Mindset and Personal Development
08:39 The Immigrant Experience and American Dream
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