Michelle Moreno - Leadership Lessons from the Hospitality World
In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Moreno—founder of QAB Leadership and an unstoppable force in the hospitality world—for a raw, funny, and wisdom-packed conversation about everything from global openings to personal reinvention.
We go deep into the journey: from starting out as a waitress at Asia de Cuba (serving Leonardo DiCaprio, no less) to launching 50+ restaurants and bars across London, Dubai, Mykonos, and beyond.
Michelle’s story is one of fearless moves, fast learning, and the power of being unapologetically real in an industry that can often feel anything but.
We talk honestly about:
💡 The magic and madness of global restaurant openings—from Nobu in Mykonos to beach clubs in Marbella.
💡 What actually makes a great hospitality concept (hint: it’s not the design).
💡 The early days of TGP International—and how they built a consultancy that walked the walk. 💡 Why she left it all behind to start QAB Leadership and help founders, ops teams, and leaders unlock their blind spots.
💡 How the role of leadership has changed since COVID—and what culture, clarity, and communication really look like now.
Michelle’s got stories for days, lessons from the trenches, and a brilliant ability to make the chaotic sound poetic. We even get into:
✨ ChatGPT and the future of AI in consultancy
✨ What she learned living in a floating palace in India
✨ Her almost-career as a dancer… or maybe a stripper (you’ll see 😂)
This one’s a rollercoaster—in the best way. Whether you're scaling a brand, navigating burnout, or just love hearing from people who’ve been through it—this is 100% worth your time.
Episode Highlights
- 02:15 - From Waitress at Asia de Cuba to Global Hospitality Leader
- 10:20 - Launching 50+ Venues Worldwide: London, Dubai, Mykonos
- 15:30 - Building TGP International & Consultancy Growth
- 27:45 - Pivoting Mid-Pandemic: Why QAB Leadership?
- 36:10 - How Leadership Changed Post-COVID
- 45:00 - Personal Stories & Industry Insights (including Leonardo DiCaprio!)
Michelle's Podcast Answers:
🔥 Best Hospitality Experience: The French Laundry
🔥 Best Hospitality Tech: All Gravy & Youda
🔥 Best Restaurant: Hausu
🔥 Best Burger: Five Guys
🔥 Best Hotel: Phoenicia Beirut
Connect with Michelle
#Hospitality #StartupLife #Leadership #HospitalityTech #HospitalityConsulting #InternationalWomensDay #CareerTransformation #ChatGPT #Entrepreneurship #Excellence #Innovation #StrategicGrowth #Community #HospitalityLeadership #TechInnovation