How Adventure Built a Hotel: Bobby Mikulas on Purposeful Hospitality

04/07/25 • 48 min

In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman interviews Bobby Mikulas, co-founder of Kinship Landing, a boutique hotel in Colorado Springs.

Bobby shares his journey from a non-hospitality background to creating a community-centric hotel that emphasizes adventure and local experiences. The conversation delves into the importance of core values in building a strong team and navigating the challenges of starting a new hospitality venture, including the construction process and lessons learned along the way. In this conversation, Bobby from Kinship Landing shares insights on navigating the complexities of construction costs, hotel operations, and future visions for community engagement.

He discusses the importance of budgeting, contractor relationships, and the challenges faced during hotel development. Bobby emphasizes the significance of culture in hotel management and the need for strategic partnerships. He also outlines his vision for expanding Kinship Landing and engaging with local communities through various initiatives.

03:55 Building a Community-Centric Boutique Hotel

09:33 Core Values and Team Formation

15:38 From Concept to Construction

20:14 Navigating Construction Challenges

25:58 Navigating Construction Bids and Budgeting

26:36 Dealing with Budget Overruns and Bank Issues

28:57 Strategies for Contractor Agreements

32:19 Incentivizing Contractors for Better Results

33:07 Transitioning to Hotel Operations

34:23 DIY vs. Professional Hotel Management

36:18 Key Roles in Hospitality Management

41:00 Balancing Unique Experiences with Professional Management

43:29 Future Plans and Vision for Kinship Landing

45:51 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement

Connect with Zeke Freeman:
Instagram: @zekefreeman_rootarchitecture and @rootarchitecture
YouTube: @rootarchitecture
Facebook: @RootArchitectureandDevelopment
LinkedIn: Zeke Freeman
X/Twitter: @zfreemanroot
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In this episode of the Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman interviews Bobby Mikulas, co-founder of Kinship Landing, a boutique hotel in Colorado Springs.

03:55 Building a Community-Centric Boutique Hotel

09:33 Core Values and Team Formation

15:38 From Concept to Construction

20:14 Navigating Construction Challenges

25:58 Navigating Construction Bids and Budgeting

26:36 Dealing with Budget Overruns and Bank Issues

28:57 Strategies for Contractor Agreements

32:19 Incentivizing Contractors for Better Results

33:07 Transitioning to Hotel Operations

34:23 DIY vs. Professional Hotel Management

36:18 Key Roles in Hospitality Management

41:00 Balancing Unique Experiences with Professional Management

43:29 Future Plans and Vision for Kinship Landing

45:51 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement

Previous Episode

Discover A Blueprint For Scaling From Side Hustle To A Thriving 10+ Hotel Portfolio with Neil Shah

In this episode of The Radical Hospitality Show, host Zeke Freeman sits down with Neil Shah, founder of Inntech Management and owner/operator of 13 hotels, including six in Sedona, Arizona. Neil shares his inspiring journey from immigrant electrical engineer to hospitality entrepreneur. He reveals how he got his start with just $20,000 saved from a side hustle building websites, and how that turned into a growing portfolio of boutique hotels.

Neil breaks down his investment strategy, partnership dynamics, operations philosophy, and what it really takes to succeed in the boutique hotel space—especially when transitioning from short-term rentals. This episode is packed with real-life lessons, tactical advice, and behind-the-scenes stories that are especially helpful for aspiring hoteliers, STR operators, and real estate entrepreneurs.

Key Topics Discussed:

Neil’s journey from India to owning 13 hotels in Arizona
How a side hustle funded his first hotel investment
The power of mentorship and long-term partnerships
What it takes to transition from STR to hotel ownership
Operational efficiencies, financing strategies, and building teams
Technology tools for hotel operations (Cloudbeds, DDL, Whistle)
Workforce housing challenges and solutions in high-cost areas
Advice for structuring GP/LP partnerships
What to consider before jumping into new hotel construction
How Neil turned around a 30% occupancy hotel into a thriving asset

02:15 Neil's Journey: From Electrical Engineer to Hotel Owner

03:04 First Steps in the Hotel Industry

04:09 The Big Realization: Loving the Hospitality Business

04:37 From College to Flagstaff: Building a Career

06:14 First Investment: The Best Western Deal

12:56 Scaling Up: The Tucson Property

17:24 Partnership Dynamics and Mentorship

21:44 Advice for Aspiring Hotel Entrepreneurs

27:00 Staffing Needs for Larger Properties

27:39 Transitioning from Airbnb to Boutique Hotels

28:13 Challenges in Hotel Management Systems

29:49 Common Mistakes by New Hoteliers

30:39 Defining Your Buy Box and Raising Capital

31:42 Current Portfolio and Management Strategies

34:23 Technology and Operations in Boutique Hotels

37:28 Dealing with Workforce Housing Challenges

38:54 Impact of Political Changes on Business

40:23 Advice for Limited and General Partners

43:41 Acquiring vs. New Construction

46:23 Case Study: Successful Repositioning in Sedona

53:15 Future Plans and Mentorship

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