Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Willy Hobal, CEO and Founder of Hobal Luxury Collection. Hobal Luxury Collection is a representation company for luxury hotels offering sales, marketing & PR integrated services, connecting tour operators, travel agencies, journalists, bloggers, and luxury travel experts to exquisite and luxurious properties in vibrant destinations worldwide.
For those who do not know you, please tell us about yourself.
I was born in Sosua, a beautiful town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the most beautiful nature and sunset I have ever seen in my love. I have been working in the hospitality industry for a little more than a decade. Today, I’m the CEO and Founder of Hobal Luxury Collection. Our company helps independent luxury hotels increase their revenue and brand recognition. I recently founded the Tiempos de Bondad Foundation, a non-profit organization to support and provide children education in Latin-America.
How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey.
It all started when I was 9 years old; I started working at that age, cleaning a house. The owner of the house was working in a hotel. And I admired her profession so much that I kept saying to myself that one day I will be working in the hotel she is working in and doing what she does… About 8 years later, I started working in her position in exactly the same hotel. It was there when I discovered my passion for hospitality. The same passion took me to open my own business in Luxury Hospitality.
What inspires you?
Stories of Resilient people, kindness, and the achievement of goals.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
My drive, I consider myself a very motivated person towards my goals. I’m always doing small steps every day to move me closer to my dreams. I feel that if I stop, the dream will be over; that drive, that adrenaline is what really keeps me going on.
Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
Instagram and LinkedIn. Instagram because it is all about images and visual experiences, and it is very important in the hospitality industry to feature their uniqueness on this platform. LinkedIn is definitely the go-to social media for professionals; we all have to be there.
What does your typical day look like?
I wake up at 5:30 am to meditate, walk my dog, and then hit the gym before I start working. My day is full of conference calls, emails, creating new strategies, learning about new properties, traveling. Still, all days are different when you work in the hospitality industry, which is the fun part of it.
What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
The desire for new things, learning something new, meeting a new person, new adventures, and helping someone.
Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
As an entrepreneur, To not be paralyzed because of Fear to failure and impostor syndrome, it hit me hard, but I had to be strong and build a stronger persona that helped me to overcome my fears and finally start my own company.
What is your favorite quote?
“The best is yet to come,” it’s my mantra. I repeat this constantly to keep my hopes alive while building my future.
How can people connect with you?
You can connect via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also drop an email at willy@hoballuxurycollection.com or give a call at +41 78 915 4615.