In this episode, I sit down with Emad Yacoub, President & CEO of Glowbal Restaurant Group, to uncover the story, mindset, and values behind one of Canada’s most influential hospitality brands.
From humble beginnings to industry leadership, Emad opens up about resilience, mentorship, restaurant culture, and what it truly means to lead with heart.
Whether you’re a hospitality professional, entrepreneur, student, or someone who loves leadership stories — this episode will inspire you.
Key Topics:
• Leadership & vision
• Passion vs. ego in hospitality
• Culture-building & mentorship
• Surviving crisis (COVID story)
• Giving back 185,000+ meals
• Career growth & mindset
• Rapid-fire insights
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AD SHOW PODCAST:
IG: AD SHOW🎙️ (@adshowpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104779318/
Host: Altan Demirkaya
IG: Altan Demirkaya (@altandemirkaya_) • Instagram photos and videos
Linkedin: (1) Altan Demirkaya | LinkedIn
Hospitality is more than great service - it’s about how you make people feel.
In Episode 7 of The AD Show Podcast, Altan sits down with Willy Aroca, a global hospitality and education leader, to reveal the “secret sauce” of hospitality, why emotional intelligence and passion matter more than ever, and how AI is reshaping the future of our industry.
Whether you’re a student, an educator, a hospitality professional, or someone passionate about leadership and personal growth, this episode will leave you inspired, motivated, and thinking differently about your career.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• The defining career moment that shaped Willy’s passion for hospitality
• Why genuine passion is essential to thrive in this industry
• Emotional labor: the unseen work behind the scenes
• The “Secret Sauce” of hospitality that sets true professionals apart
• How AI is transforming education and hiring
• The role of emotional intelligence in leadership
• Do big-name schools still matter for career success today?
• Why networking is more important than ever
• Rapid-fire insights into Willy’s personal leadership philosophy
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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:15 – Guest Introduction: Willy
02:10 – The Moment That Sparked His Hospitality Career
04:11 – Why Passion Is Essential
06:58 – Emotional Labor in Hospitality
12:07 – The Secret Sauce of Hospitality
15:55 – Is ChatGPT Helping or Hurting Students?
25:17 – Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
35:34 – Do School Names Still Matter Today?
38:21 – The Power of Networking
46:31 – Rapid-Fire Questions
51:36 – Closing Thoughts
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📣 Follow The AD Show Podcast
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TikTok: @adshowpodcast
YouTube: @theadshowofficial
LinkedIn: The AD Show Podcast
For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com
⸻
👉 Call-to-Action
If this episode inspired you, follow the show on Spotify for more conversations on leadership, success, hospitality, and personal transformation.
In this powerful episode of The AD Show Podcast, Altan sits down with Tim Ellison — a true hospitality icon whose career spans more than 50 years across kitchens, dining rooms, leadership roles, and the classroom.
From dishwasher to Chef de Cuisine, from General Manager to celebrated Educator at Vancouver Community College, Tim shares hard-earned wisdom about service, leadership, growth, and purpose. Whether you’re a student, industry professional, or someone searching for inspiration, this conversation will leave you rethinking what hospitality truly means.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why passion matters more than chasing paychecks
• How to build a meaningful and long-lasting hospitality career
• The difference between hotels, restaurants, and private clubs
• The return of etiquette and professionalism
• How Gen Z is shaping the future of dining
• Practical strategies for getting experience with no experience
• Why stepping outside your comfort zone is non-negotiable
• The biggest mistakes young professionals make — and how to avoid them
Tim’s journey is a masterclass in humility, presence, resilience, and genuine hospitality.
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EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
01:57 – One Role Tim Would Choose Again
04:10 – From Dishwasher to Educator
09:29 – Private Clubs vs. Hotels & Restaurants
15:15 – Do Young People Still Learn Etiquette?
21:28 – The Power of Presence & Branding
25:07 – Passion vs. Tip-Chasing
30:58 – Creating Human Connections
35:31 – Fine Dining vs. Casual
40:14 – Gaining Experience with No Experience
46:58 – Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone
48:32 – Rapid Fire
49:52 – Mistakes Young Professionals Make
51:18 – Final Message
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FOLLOW THE AD SHOW PODCAST
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adshowpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adshowpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104779318/
Host: Altan Demirkaya
IG: Altan Demirkaya (@altandemirkaya_) • Instagram photos and videos
Linkedin: (1) Altan Demirkaya | LinkedIn
Website: www.adinspireglobal.com
For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com
⸻
⭐ If you enjoy this episode…
Follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone who needs inspiration today.
Your support helps us reach more students, professionals, and future leaders around the world.
🌟 What does it take to lead with passion, balance independence with teamwork, and inspire the next generation of professionals?
In this episode of The AD Show Podcast, we sit down with Uyen, a dedicated leader with nearly a decade of IT and academic experience now serving as the Academic Manager at CCTB. Uyen’s story is one of courage, resilience, and a deep belief in helping others grow.
🚀 Tune in to discover:
✨ How Uyen mastered time management, organization, and leadership
✨ Lessons learned from nearly 10 years in IT and education
✨ The power of passion and technology in shaping personal growth
✨ How to stay motivated and create meaningful impact in your career
Whether you’re a student, educator, or professional striving for success, this episode will leave you inspired to grow, lead, and make a difference.
🎥 Watch Episode 5 featuring Uyen on YouTube now!
👋 FOLLOW US 👋
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📩 For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com
💬 If you found value in this episode, please follow and rate our podcast. Your support helps us continue inspiring individuals around the world to reach their full potential.
Welcome to Episode 4 of The AD Show Podcast, featuring Bek Shamsiev, the dynamic General Manager of Vancouver’s new boutique property, Azur Hotel.
Bek’s journey in hospitality is a story of leadership, resilience, and purpose — from opening a landmark hotel to inspiring teams and creating unforgettable guest experiences.
In this episode, we explore:
• Leadership strategies – how Bek leads with vision in a fast-paced city
• Empowering employees – his approach to motivating and developing teams
• Work–life balance – finding harmony while leading in hospitality
• Elevating guest experience – what truly defines five-star service
• Career insights – advice for students and professionals aiming to grow
Whether you’re just starting your hospitality journey or already managing teams, this conversation will inspire you to lead with heart and purpose.
The AD Show Podcast - Empowering professionals to stand out, grow and succedd
🎙️ Hosted by Altan Demirkaya
Founder & CEO of AD-INSPIRE & Host of The AD Show Podcast
#Leadership #Hospitality #CareerGrowth #ADShowPodcast #HotelManagement #Inspiration #ProfessionalDevelopment #ADInspire #Vancouver #ADSHOW #AzurHotel
In this episode, Altan sits down with Annie Luke, a dynamic entrepreneur and hospitality professional who turned uncertainty into opportunity. Annie launched her own startup during the pandemic while thriving as a Dual Event Manager at JW Marriott & The Douglas Autograph Collection in Vancouver.
Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion, a true example of how courage can create new beginnings.
🎯 In this episode:
• How Annie built a startup from concept to launch during COVID-19
• Balancing entrepreneurship and a demanding hospitality career
• Leadership lessons and strategies for navigating uncertainty
• Staying motivated and turning challenges into growth
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a hospitality professional, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode will leave you ready to chase your next big goal.
🎙️ The AD Show Podcast — Empowering professionals to stand out, grow, and succeed.
In this episode of The AD Show Podcast, Altan Demirkaya sits down with Saurabh Gambhir, Director of Business Development at the Surrey Hotel and Motel Association, to explore a story of resilience, growth, and unstoppable positivity.
Saurabh shares how he turned obstacles into opportunities, built meaningful connections, and stayed grounded while pursuing success in the hospitality industry.
🎯 You’ll learn:
• How resilience and mindset shape long-term success
• Why adaptability is key in hospitality and beyond
• The importance of staying joyful while chasing big goals
Tune in for an authentic, inspiring, and laughter-filled conversation that will motivate you to keep growing — no matter where you are in your journey.
🎧 Watch or listen on YouTube & Spotify
Welcome to The AD Show l Career Growth & Leadership Podcast🌐 Follow AD Show Podcast on Instagram | LinkedIn | Tiktok
IG: AD SHOW🎙️ (@adshowpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
Tiktok: AD SHOW (@adshowpodcast) | TikTok
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104779318/
Host: Altan Demirkaya
IG: Altan Demirkaya (@altandemirkaya_) • Instagram photos and videos
Linkedin: (1) Altan Demirkaya | LinkedIn
#ADShowPodcast #Leadership #Hospitality #CareerGrowth #Inspiration #Motivation #ADInspire #PodcastSeries
In this inspiring first episode of The AD Show Podcast, host Altan Demirkaya sits down with Michael Kaile — a hospitality and tourism legend with over 55 years of global experience across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Michael shares his remarkable career journey, from managing and opening iconic properties like Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront, Fairmont Whistler, and Fairmont Dubai, to mentoring hundreds of professionals and serving as a municipal councillor on Bowen Island.
Together, they explore what it takes to lead with purpose, master your craft, and thrive in the evolving world of hospitality.
🎧 Empowering professionals to stand out, grow, and succeed — one conversation at a time.
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Connect with Altan:
🌐 Website: adinspireglobal.com
🌐
Welcome to The AD Show l Career Growth & Leadership Podcast📸 Instagram: @altandemirkaya_
AD SHOW🎙️ (@adshowpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos💼 LinkedIn: Altan Demirkaya
📩 For inquiries: altan@adinspireglobal.com