October 17, 2024 • 47 mins
Embracing Inclusion: The Journey and Mission of Hotel Etico
In this series, hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell introduce listeners to 'Room for All,' a podcast dedicated to sharing the mission and vision behind Hotel Etico, Australia's first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel. They explore the origins of Hotel Etico, its Italian roots, and how it serves as a pathway to independence for young adults with disabilities through employment and training programs. The hosts also delve into the broader objective of creating the most inclusive tourism and hospitality industry in the world, emphasizing the importance of training for both trainees and employers. Personal stories highlight their diverse backgrounds, extensive experience in social impact, and commitment to fostering inclusivity. Interviews with key figures, such as Tracylee Arestides and Alex Toselli, provide insights into the operational and emotional aspects of running the hotel. The podcast outlines future topics on disability employment and industry insights, ultimately aiming to inspire and educate listeners about the transformative power of inclusive employment and social enterprise.
00:00 Introduction to Room for All
01:39 The Vision Behind Hotel Etico
02:00 Starting the Podcast Journey
02:33 The NoVacancy Event
03:16 The Birth of the Podcast Idea
08:32 Hotel Etico: Australia's First Social Enterprise Hotel
12:13 The Training Program for Young People with Disabilities
19:19 The Social Enterprise Model
22:14 Meet Andrea Comastri
24:13 Starting Out at Grace Brothers
25:48 A New Opportunity in Non-Profit
26:53 Journey in Philanthropy and Social Enterprises
28:09 Personal Life and Family
29:38 Saraya's Background and Early Life
31:37 Saraya's Career in Disability Services
35:04 Andrea and Saraya's Partnership
40:33 Introduction to the Podcast
42:16 Future Episodes and Guests
44:12 The Significance of Hotel California
46:07 Wrapping Up
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Andrea (01:31):
Welcome to the very first episode of Room for All.
Saraya (01:36):
We've called today's episode, episode zero.
Andrea (01:38):
Yep.
Saraya (01:39):
So we're going to talk more about the vision and the
mission behind Hotel Etico.
We're going to talk aboutourselves and introduce
ourselves so people can get toknow us.
And we're really going to focuson what Hotel Etico does in this
episode.
episode.
Andrea (01:54):
And talk a little bit about the podcast and
Saraya (01:57):
And the podcast and
Andrea (01:58):
What it would sound like, look like.
like.
Yes, so let's get started.
Saraya (02:02):
Straight into it.
it.
Andrea (02:03):
How excited are we?
Saraya (02:05):
Pretty excited.
It's nerve wracking starting anew project.
Andrea (02:07):
It is actually pretty
Saraya (02:09):
Stressful?
Andrea (02:09):
um, Stressful, yes.
Uh, I won't hide that been ateach other's throats for the
last couple of hours.
But, um, we're live.
Saraya (02:18):
We're live.
And the reason for us being ateach other's throats is because
this geeky stuff is not mything.
Andrea (02:25):
Yeah, detail is important when it comes to these
things.
But we'll see where it goes.
And, um, Yeah, anyway, let's getgoing.
Saraya (02:32):
Let's get started.
Um, so let's talk about how itall came about because it's kind
of a funny story.
Andrea (02:39):
Yes, if I,
IMG_5658 (02:39):
if I think I came about, it's just, uh, it's,
pretty unbelievable.
We were at NoVacancy.
Saraya (02:45):
We were, yeah.
A few weeks ago now, I think itwas about a month ago, yeah.
Andrea (02:48):
Great, great event, by the way.
Uh, great event for thehospitality industry.
Saraya (02:52):
Yeah.
Andrea (02:53):
We've been going for the last few years and, um.
Saraya (02:55):
We always learn something new wherever we, like,
every year.
Andrea (02:58):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I was, I was talking on acouple panels around HR, around
access and inclusion, and wewere visiting all the
exhibitors.
We had a few of our colleaguesfrom the hotel come, and, uh,
yeah, got lots of ideas.
But most importantly, I
Saraya (03:15):
importantly,
Andrea (03:16):
I got invited to speak.
Unplanned.
Saraya (03:19):
Unplanned, yep.
Andrea (03:19):
By Scott Boyes and Grant Alchin from, A Room with A View,
an amazing podcast.
Saraya (03:26):
Yes, I've been listening to it.
I listen to it, um, on my way towork.
Andrea (03:28):
Yeah, so we've been working with Scott, on a number
of different things, and therewill be lots in the future, but,
Yeah, Scott told me in themorning, we're recording
podcasts live uh, it would begreat to have a chat, so yeah,
of course, put a microphone infront of me, and then
Saraya (03:43):
And you don't stop talking, so perfect for a
podcast.
for a podcast, but afterwards,you like, you kind of had like
this, um, kick in your step.
Andrea (03:50):
I loved it,
Saraya (03:51):
You were beaming, like the smile on your face, and,
yeah.
Andrea (03:54):
It was a great experience, first of all.
Scott and Grant are greatinterviewers, you know, during
that podcast they go intophilosophy, they go into to all
sorts of things, they're greatsort of lovers of music and um,
yeah, so they do a great job andthey've been doing this now for
two or three years so they'vegot a lot of episodes under
their belt and they know whatthey're, they're doing.
we don't, clearly.
Saraya (04:14):
No, clearly, we've been on each other's throats a lot.
Andrea (04:16):
But as a guest, I loved it.
And I came to you and you said
Saraya (04:22):
I think we should do a Hotel Etico Podcast and you
said, said, in very choicewords, might I add,
Andrea (04:29):
You're crazy.
I said no.
No way in hell.
It's complicated.
Too much work.
We're too busy.
Saraya (04:36):
There's a lot of tech.
Andrea (04:37):
There's a lot of technology involved.
Saraya (04:39):
We have a lot on our plate.
Andrea (04:40):
Yes, and basically, no, there was nothing.
Categorical, no.
And I think you just went alongwith it, so yeah, okay, fine.
Saraya (04:46):
Yeah.
I know not to push if you sayno.
Andrea (04:49):
Well, and then, um, fast track to breakfast the following
morning.
Saraya (04:55):
Yeah, so breakfast was delightful.
I hadn't had coffee yet, and youcame down again with a kick in
your step and I was just sittingthere and you said, all right,
we're doing a podcast.
Andrea (05:05):
Yes.
And I don't know what happenedthat night.
I had some sort of epiphany.
I had some sort of,
Saraya (05:11):
you were pretty against it.
Andrea (05:12):
Yeah, but I don't know what happened that night.
Like, uh, true, I think thatnight brings counsel.
Like, I woke up in the morningand I had complete clarity of
vision.
I knew what I wanted to achievewith it, what we should cover,
who we should invite, thecontents, the already thinking
about the technology.
(05:34):
And I, I think I probably spentthe night looking at videos and
Googling stuff.
So yeah, I came up, I wasdigging into my breakfast.
I came up in the morning and,yeah, I had it all in my head
and, uh, even before you hadcoffee, which was very brave of
me.
Saraya (05:52):
Very, very brave.
Andrea (05:53):
Yes.
So yeah, it was amazing and Ithink I shocked you, I surprised
you.
Saraya (05:58):
You surprised me because, like, I know that,
like, we've been workingtogether for now nearly three
years.
So I know when you, when you'repassionate about something,
you'll give it your all.
And I think it was just like, itwas, it was no.
And I was like, okay, I'llapproach it.
First I was like, I'll justbroach it in a month's time,
like I'll slowly start plantingthe seed, but I didn't even have
(06:21):
to wait that long, 12 hours.
Andrea (06:22):
You obviously pushed the right button and I, yeah, and I,
yeah, I was, I was sold.
I was definitely sold.
Saraya (06:31):
So by the end of breakfast, I think we had like,
Uh, every episode, every personwe wanted to interview for the
first the first 12 episodes.
The schedule of when we're goingto drop the episodes.
Um, it was a good breakfast.
Andrea (06:43):
Yeah, and then, then the weekend happened.
Saraya (06:47):
Oh my god.
And I got bombarded email afteremail after the andrea shared
this Canva with you and he'sdone the artwork and he's done
Everything.
You had literally done it withinthe weekend bombarded.
Andrea (07:05):
Yes.
Saraya (07:05):
But when you set your mind to something, you, there's
no holding back.
Andrea (07:09):
Yes.
Saraya (07:10):
It didn't surprise me.
Andrea (07:11):
Yeah.
I was, I really, you know, Imean, I don't have a life to
some extent, so
Saraya (07:15):
Hotel Etico is your life,
Andrea (07:16):
spent spent hours and hours and hours on it.
And, uh, yeah, it became clearthat things could be done.
Uh, and uh, and that's where weare today.
So, you know, we, we came upwith the title.
Saraya (07:29):
Pretty quickly
Andrea (07:30):
on the same day.
Yeah, same at NoVacancy
Saraya (07:32):
Yeah.
Andrea (07:32):
We were talking to Sophia, our employment manager,
and we were sort of bouncingaround some ideas and, uh, and
we thought, well,
Saraya (07:40):
Room for all
Andrea (07:40):
it's all about inclusion.
So it needs to be to abouteveryone.
It needs to be about hotels.
So Room for all sounded, likeyeah.
The, the right title and thenthe subtitle being the inclusion
in hospitality podcast.
Saraya (07:54):
Yeah.
Andrea (07:55):
so that's what then informed the, the, the playing
around with the logo, with theartwork and, uh, yeah, and I've
been back and forth there.
Oh no, that mic is too big.
That mic is too small.
Yeah, go black to it.
Saraya (08:06):
I think this brings out another level of passion inside
of you, of the geek side.
Andrea (08:11):
Yeah, something else to argue with each other about.
but so yeah, but anyway, very,very exciting.
And, uh, we have lots of ideas,but.
I think we need to sort of stepback a little bit and, um, tell
our listeners.
Saraya (08:27):
Well, yeah.
What is Hotel Etico?
Andrea (08:28):
Yeah.
What is Hotel Etico?
Saraya (08:29):
Why should people even listen to us?
What do we do?
Andrea (08:32):
Yes.
So Hotel Etico is Australia'sfirst not for profit social
enterprise hotel.
We are based in the BlueMountains in Mount Victoria, a
heritage listed town of MountVictoria, in a beautiful,
beautiful historical building.
Saraya (08:47):
Freezing cold building.
Andrea (08:49):
Yeah, we can heat it up as much as possible.
Some days it's really tricky.
But, uh, we've got fireplaces,we've got electric blankets,
we've got heaters, um, and
Saraya (09:00):
So we've got 15 rooms,
Andrea (09:02):
All with en suite.
It's, um, a combination offamily and, uh, queen rooms,
we've got a beautiful garden.
We have lots of differentmeeting rooms, our library where
we're sitting here now today.
Saraya (09:14):
This is definitely my favorite room.
Andrea (09:16):
Yeah, it's a nice room.
We've messed up today, but yes,uh,
Saraya (09:19):
People can't see behind scenes
Andrea (09:20):
We have private private dining areas.
We have a restaurant that seatsup to 150 people.
We have a beautiful bar.
It's um, we a beer garden.
Saraya (09:29):
Great wine list.
Andrea (09:31):
Yes.
Uh,
Saraya (09:32):
Great menu.
Andrea (09:33):
The feedback we get consistently about the food and
the bar, the music.
We have live music every Fridaynight.
Saraya (09:39):
Every Friday.
And soon to be more events.
Andrea (09:42):
Yeah, and the music brings not only the guests in
the hotel but lots of locals toto the, to the restaurant.
So that's, uh, it's a it's agreat, it's a great little
venue.
And, um,
Saraya (09:55):
So why, why are we a hotel?
What are we doing?
Andrea (09:58):
Well, the other thing I wanted to say is that the
building is a beautifulhistorical building that was
built in, 1876 by John Fairfax.
So part of the Fairfax family,the founders of, of the, um,
Sydney Morning Herald, whichended up also supporting us
serendipitously meeting withthem, during our initial phases
(10:19):
and, um, they were a greatsupporter of our, uh, of our
social enterprise and, um, andthen it got passed on through
different people throughout thecenturies.
Saraya (10:28):
It's been lots of different things over the years.
Andrea (10:29):
Yes, the yes.
And, uh, we were very lucky tofind it when we were looking for
a property in the BlueMountains.
But Hotel Etico is, is a modelthat was actually born in Italy
about 10 years ago.
Mm hmm.
A model that, uh, has nowexpanded in Italy significantly.
There are five hotels at themoment, as far as I know.
(10:51):
There are hotels overseas and weare the first one in Australia.
We opened in November, 2020,right in the peak of COVID.
Saraya (10:59):
It's a great time to open a hotel.
I see no problem.
Andrea (11:02):
Yes.
Um, it was definitely, itbrought some challenges, but I
also say often that.
We were lucky that we were sosmall at the moment, at that
time, that the metaphor I oftenuse is that, imagine a big
storm, And you're a little twig.
Um, a little twig bends reallyeasily in a storm and it doesn't
(11:24):
get affected.
And it can easily bend and adaptand then after the storm grow
and become stronger.
If we were a big establishedtree, we would have been taken
down by the storm.
Saraya (11:36):
Yeah.
Andrea (11:37):
And so I think that's a, you know, might be a bit of a
cheesy metaphor, but I think itactually, it's a great
representation of of, we're at.
Saraya (11:45):
You're good with metaphors.
I really stuff them up.
So I won't be the one on thispodcast that says
Andrea (11:51):
Well, you've only recently learned how to spell
the word metaphor probably, so
Saraya (11:54):
Jesus! Insult!
Andrea (11:56):
It's a little advance, um, advance preview of, um, of
the relationship, yeah.
But, um what else?
So, that's the business.
Saraya (12:12):
That's the business.
Andrea (12:13):
But what's behind the business, or the purpose of the
business, is that we run atraining program, an employment
and training program, for youngpeople with disability.
Saraya (12:23):
Yeah.
So the first year is theindependence program.
So our trainees our traineeslive on site three days a week.
They swap their days everysecond week.
On site, they not only work inthe hotel where they're paid
full award wage, they trainwithin the hotel, so we have our
own curricula, we break down alot of learning styles, we adapt
a lot of our training, theylearn on the job and formal
(12:46):
training, we do workshops and soon, but the thing that makes the
model so unique is the live incomponent.
Andrea (12:53):
Yes, they live in the Academy of Independence, which
is a supported accommodationeffectively.
With support workers withdisability expertise that,
supervise, support, guide,coach, mentor the
Saraya (13:08):
coach,
Andrea (13:08):
trainees, in their independent living skills.
Saraya (13:11):
Yeah, so they learn all aspects of it.
So, making your bed, cooking,cleaning, budgeting.
Andrea (13:16):
Spending time together, getting under each others skin,
argue interact be friends.
Saraya (13:23):
Yeah.
It's hard, I think, for peoplewith a disability when you move
out of home for the first time.
And this is I think, where youcan really learn.
And it's only three days a week.
So you learn to live with otherpeople.
Because, I mean, when you firstmoved out of home, did you live
with other people?
or
Andrea (13:39):
Well, my story is probably a little bit different
actually.
Saraya (13:42):
We'll go into that later.
Andrea (13:43):
Yes.
Saraya (13:44):
But it's hard to live with people.
I think.
They learn to live with otherpeople, they learn the skills to
be able to be independent, tocook for themselves.
They they literally in charge oftheir own life here.
So they have to do everythingwith support, but without that
support.
Andrea (14:00):
And they travel here by themselves, right?
Saraya (14:01):
Yeah, mostly.
Yep.
Mostly they will, or theyorganize it.
They travel on the train.
I think a few of them meet up.
Andrea (14:07):
Where do they come from?
Saraya (14:09):
Generally two hours.
Uh, actually this cohort though,we have two from Canberra.
So that's.
That's a big commitment.
Three, three and a half hours.
Andrea (14:16):
It is a big commitment.
Saraya (14:17):
That's a big commitment.
But there's nothing like us inAustralia.
Andrea (14:19):
Previously we had someone from Newcastle, we had
people from the SutherlandShire,
Saraya (14:23):
Bathurst,
Andrea (14:24):
Northern Beaches, Bathurst, Golbourn so yes,
definitely two or three hoursaway seems to be the feasible
distance in a way.
And the group is a group of 15.
So we started in 2020 with sixtrainees.
Then at the end of the first 12months we double the intake to
12.
Saraya (14:41):
Yeah.
Andrea (14:41):
Then we extended it to 13 and this current group is 15.
Saraya (14:45):
Yeah.
And so after the 12 months theygraduate, they get a Hotel Etico
certificate.
We hold a big graduationceremony, which is amazing.
And I babble and cry the entiretime.
So that's always fun.
In front of a lot of people.
Andrea (14:57):
Yes.
and so they graduate both fromthe independent living program
and from the hospitalityemployment program.
Saraya (15:04):
So while they are doing the program, so for the first
three months, they work in allareas of the hotel, they train
in all areas.
Andrea (15:13):
We say that they work front and center.
Saraya (15:14):
They do, they are front and center.
Reception, we've got kitchen,we've got bar, we've got
housekeeping.
you name it, they do it.
Yeah, dish bay restaurant floor.
Absolutely everything.
Um, and then, they, for thefurther nine months after that,
they've tried everything, theyknow what they want to do,
that's when we really focus onwhat we call their, they
(15:35):
specialise.
Andrea (15:36):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Saraya (15:37):
So they'll specialise in, say, restaurant, for
example.
So we work really hard and we doour specific training within the
restaurant, if that's what theypick.
And then that then sets them upfor what comes next.
Andrea (15:48):
Yes.
Saraya (15:48):
So then we look for employment for them within our
industry partners.
And we will talk a lot moreabout it in future episodes.
But, um, we're not adestination, we're a pathway.
So we're a pathway to theircareer in hospitality.
Andrea (16:02):
And that's quite unique, in the sector.
Yeah.
Because We, we're not a placewhere you're here for life, from
a point of view of work.
There's other reasons why you'rehere for life.
We'll talk about that a littlebit later, but, yes, it's a
pathway to employment.
If we, we really truly believethat, um, independence and
dignity.
It comes from paid work, in openemployment, so when they're with
(16:25):
us from day one, they're paidfull award wages.
Saraya (16:29):
Yes, they are.
Andrea (16:30):
So that's another very unique feature.
it was a big decision by us togo down that path.
An expensive
Saraya (16:36):
the right decision,
Andrea (16:37):
but it's a, yeah, it was definitely the right decision.
And, uh, we haven't looked back.
And so they.
They find employment eitherbefore they graduate or just
after they graduate or a littlebit later.
Some of them takes a bit longer.
We'll be talking about thiswith, with Sophia, our
Employment Manager, in one ofthe next few episodes.
(16:57):
But there's also a transitionphase that we've just
implemented actually.
Saraya (17:01):
Yeah.
Because it's, it's a bigtransition, right like you are
going from living with 15 peopleto then moving.
Andrea (17:08):
Yes.
Saraya (17:09):
You know, moving again.
So we really do build thecapabilities and the skills for
them to be able to transition.
And we want to transition them.
Well,
Andrea (17:15):
yeah.
Saraya (17:16):
Because we don't want, you know.
you know, we don't want them tojust go into a job and last 12
weeks weeks.
Andrea (17:22):
And then we work with, as you say, we industry, so we
work with the tourism andhospitality industry, other
businesses, customer facingroles, and find jobs for, for
our graduates and then keepsupporting them.
Saraya (17:35):
Yes.
And the employer.
So I think that's another thingthat's really unique with us is
like we will train the employerbecause we don't want to be
there.
We, we want to, um, We want tomake the hospitality industry
more inclusive.
Andrea (17:47):
That's right.
So our vision is to not onlywork with the trainees and their
families, not only to transform,transform the the perception of
every single guest that comesthrough the doors of the hotel
in terms of what they know andthink and understand about
disability and employment, butthen transform the industry.
(18:10):
We want to make, literally wewant to make.
Australia's tourism andhospitality industry, the most
inclusive tourism andhospitality industry in the
world.
Saraya (18:20):
Absolutely.
Andrea (18:20):
There is great appetite out there.
Things are moving a bit slow,slower than we would love, but
we are really encouraged by thegreat interest, the great
appetite that we've picked upand we're experiencing with our
partners, to employ, to learn,to be inclusive and, and
transform their, their culture,their own culture.
Saraya (18:42):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And like, the biggest thing, um,with our employers is like, the
training that we offer, like,we've had feedback to say that
they're, the, the uptake forthat training is the biggest
they've ever had.
Andrea (18:55):
Yes, yes, yeah.
Saraya (18:57):
So, it's, it's amazing.
Andrea (18:58):
It's fantastic.
And, you know, what's going onin, in, in corporate Australia
around, uh, diversity andinclusion is, is, is very
important for us because itcreates the right environment
for us to sort of.
of introduce ourselves and, and,and contribute and add value to
the industry.
So, it's almost like the perfectstorm to some extent.
(19:19):
Um, and so going back to anotherstorm metaphor and, um, but we
also refer to us as a socialenterprise.
Saraya (19:30):
Yes.
Um, so I will confess that whenI started I didn't even know
what a social enterprise was.
Um, I probably just googled it.
I didn't find much.
I didn't really understand ituntil I heard you say this.
Andrea (19:45):
Hmm.
Yeah, I, I'm borrowing thisquote from a, leader in the
social enterprise sector, KylieClement, who's the CEO of SECNA,
the social enterprise councilof, New South Wales and ACT.
ACT.
And I don't even know if it's anoriginal quote, but I definitely
heard her saying it.
I've been using it.
I think you've been using it aswell.
Saraya (20:05):
I do because it's the best way to explain it.
Andrea (20:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
it often brings smile to theaudience and, and sort of nod
and acknowledgement.
And it's a simple, simple way.
Basically.
A for profit business and a notfor profit, a traditional
charity, have a baby.
This baby is a socialenterprise.
So what does that mean?
It means that we bring forwardat the same time, concurrently,
(20:34):
profit and purpose.
And these two Ps, profit andpurpose, are in tension with
each other.
Saraya (20:43):
Yes.
Andrea (20:43):
Right?
Are in conflict with each other.
Saraya (20:45):
All the time.
Andrea (20:45):
Yes, and so our job is to understand how to achieve the
purpose, which is the ultimateaim, through profit.
And sometimes decisions have tobe made, that purpose comes
first, other times profit needsto come first because it's a
means to an end.
Saraya (21:04):
It is.
Andrea (21:05):
Obviously ideally.
We, want to bring them forwardat the same time with the same
level of passion and the samelevel of energy and dedication
and focus.
But sometimes that tensionexists.
And that is, in my opinion, abeautiful, beautiful environment
to work in in.
because
Saraya (21:23):
It is magical.
Andrea (21:25):
What gets you you out of bed in the morning, right?
Saraya (21:27):
Well, it definitely keeps us up on our toes.
Andrea (21:28):
Yeah, it keeps us awake at night as well.
Saraya (21:31):
There's no day that's ever the same here.
Andrea (21:32):
Yeah, so I think I'm a great, I'm a great advocate,
great sort of supporter of thesocial enterprise movement.
Yeah, and agree.
I've worked in socialenterprises before and I know
that is the new way of making adifference in the world in a way
that is sustainable.
Saraya (21:51):
Yes, it, it, the most important thing is that it needs
to be sustainable.
Andrea (21:54):
Yeah, hard work, very hard work because, you end up
complicating your business in away that no, other for profit
business would ever do that.
Saraya (22:05):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, worth it.
Yeah, absolutely worth
Andrea (22:09):
but that's, yeah, that's, that's what it's all
about.
And so that's, that's what asocial enterprise is.
so we should probably pause fora second and introduce ourselves
personally.
Saraya (22:23):
I think you should go first.
first.
Yes
Andrea (22:25):
Yeah, sure.
Saraya (22:26):
Give you a mic and you won't stop talking.
Andrea (22:29):
Yes.
Saraya (22:29):
So, who is Andrea Comastri?
Andrea (22:34):
I'm just I'm just laughing at your pronunciation.
Saraya (22:36):
Why?
I can't say it.
it.
You say it properly.
Andrea (22:39):
Yeah, you need to roll.
So, yes, my name is AndreaComastri and I am the I and CEO
and co-founder of Hotel Etico inAustralia.
I was born in Italy nearlynearly 54 years ago in 1970.
and after growing up in Italy ina very, socially conscious and
(23:05):
engaged and politically engagedfamily, I went to school, went
to university, did a degree inpolitical science and
international studies, did a bitof traveling, learned English
and started sort of developing alittle bit of a passion about
travel, until, through apersonal, personal journey, I
(23:27):
ended up migrating to Australia.
And so in 1995, at the tenderage of 24 years of age, I came
to Australia and I moved.
and
Saraya (23:37):
That's a big move.
Andrea (23:38):
It's a big move.
Um, but I had a partner, I had ahouse, I spoke English,
relatively well.
well.
Saraya (23:46):
I'll be the judge of that.
Andrea (23:47):
Oh, big, well, well, I spoke well enough to be able to
secure a job pretty muchstraight away.
So interestingly.
The very first job that Iapplied for was probably a
couple of days after I landed inAugust And it with an
organization working within theItalian community
Saraya (24:04):
So you didn't need to speak English much?
Andrea (24:06):
I didn't need to speak English, in that job as much as
in other jobs, but they were abit slower coming back to me.
And so I ended up gettinganother job first at what was
known as Grace Brothers or Meyernowadays.
Saraya (24:21):
Meyer, I know Meyer, I don't know Grace Brothers.
Andrea (24:23):
Yeah, so I did a couple of interviews.
They thought that because I wasItalian, I would want a job in
the, Men's fashion.
I remember doing an interview atthe Chatwood store and and I was
like,
Saraya (24:35):
I can't picture you in sales for men's for fashion.
Andrea (24:38):
It was, it was ridiculous.
but then, so I didn't get thatjob.
I was looking for anything atthat point, but.
but, and, but straight away theyoffered me a job in the home
office, uh, department.
Saraya (24:50):
So you could give out?
Andrea (24:51):
Yeah.
Like we were sellingtypewriters.
Oh.
We had a couple of computers.
We had some electronic stuff.
I remember we still had toauthorize credit card payments
by going at the back, picking upthe phone, calling the phone
number.
Listening to the code, readingthe credit card on the phone and
(25:13):
listening to the approval fromthe other side.
Saraya (25:16):
You're really showing your age here.
Andrea (25:17):
I thought my English was great, it was so bad.
It was so difficult.
I remember going home and afterstanding up for like 12 hours in
a day and speaking in anotherlanguage that wasn't mine It was
so tiring.
Like it was really, reallytiring.
So really great respect topeople that work in retail and
(25:39):
hospitality, because at thestart, especially in another
language, it was really, reallyhard, but it only took about a
month and a month after.
I got a call from this otherorganization.
Saraya (25:50):
And that was a not for profit?
Andrea (25:51):
Not for profit, it a bit of a growing path as well.
And, was small at the time and Istraight away basically got
employed in a a relativelyjunior role, but because it was
so flat, I was effectively thesecond in charge.
And so after a number of years,I became the CEO.
And, within there, you know,established, we established a
(26:11):
school, for example, of akitchen Italian man.
We established the first Italianbilingual school in the country.
Saraya (26:17):
I think I really need to learn it though italian.
Andrea (26:19):
Yeah, well, we can work on that.
Um, so that, that actually, Idrew a lot of lessons from that
experience because we startedfrom scratch.
We started from a group of six,really,
Saraya (26:29):
Really?
Andrea (26:30):
Started with a group of six students.
it it was, look, we'll probablycan go into this another time,
but it was amazing parallels inthat experience.
And then after that I, I wasthere for 17 17 years up and
then I worked in other than notfor profits, and consultant, as
a director, I worked inphilanthropy for five years and
(26:51):
there was another
Saraya (26:52):
Grateful for that.
I'm grateful for that.
Andrea (26:53):
Yes, because working in philanthropy just opened up
another world for me that whenwe started Hotel Etico, gave us
access to people, language,methodologies.
contacts, just different way ofthinking, which was really,
really useful for us.
And so, yes, that was fantastic.
And within that job, I also rana couple of social enterprises.
(27:17):
So, I was running a, cafe, whichagain, great parallel, like a
group of cafes on work sitesemploying with challenges to
employment, training them,finding them jobs.
So very, very similar.
and a lot of those learnings gotsort of transferred in here
personally.
And we were also running a, asocial enterprise farm, a
(27:39):
blueberry farm in Coffs Harbour,that was running a, drug and
alcohol rehab program in it.
So, again, huge learnings there.
I felt like Andrea the farmer.
It was really fascinatingjourney.
And now I am Andrea thehotelier.
According to Scott and Grant,I'm now a hotelier.
Saraya (27:57):
You you did get called a hotelier.
I haven't been called one yet,so I need to, I need to
Andrea (28:02):
Well, tell us, tell us, tell us your journey.
Saraya (28:04):
Well, let's talk about, so we'll see whether you
personally though, personally.
Andrea (28:07):
Personally, me.
Okay.
Well, personally, me, as I said,I'm 54.
I have two grown up children, 25and 26.
I have, Martina, who's 26.
Matteo, who is, 25, almost 25next month, and, they have their
own passions.
Martina lives overseas inPanama.
She runs a a, communitydevelopment, community
(28:30):
engagement groups and, inPanama.
and she's doing an amazing job.
Like, I mean, I talk with herregularly.
I see photos online of all the,she recently built a house for a
family, like I saw her with likea drill in her hand and big
smile.
And, and, and then, But then shehas sloth pets, you know, like
she's
Saraya (28:49):
Like an actual slot slots.
Andrea (28:51):
Yes.
Like, is the national animalthere in Panama.
Saraya (28:54):
Are you allowed to have a sloth as a pet?
Andrea (28:56):
I don't know, but they get rescued.
So it's it's a a rescue thing.
So, so amazing, amazing life,amazing life.
And Matteo, who's a bit of an ITgeek like me.
he does a lot of work in, doeslots of work in hospitality as
well, actually, but, He works inproject management IT it and,
um, yeah, he's, he's developingas a, as a very well rounded
(29:18):
individual and, and both of themhave got a great heart and a
great passion for, social impactin life.
And so that, I think that's, Ithink that's coming down through
generations in our family, whichis fantastic.
And, yeah, and then, that's,that's about it.
but I'm sure other personalthings will come up in, in
future, but tell us about you.
Who is Soraya O'Connell?
Saraya (29:40):
Very complex question.
Andrea (29:41):
Yeah, let's give a simple answer to the complex
question
Saraya (29:44):
Simple.
Uh, so I grew up in North northQueensland, so not Italy, but
North Queensland.
Andrea (29:50):
Beautiful beautiful part of the country.
Where about?
Saraya (29:53):
Hamilton Island.
Andrea (29:54):
Wow.
Saraya (29:54):
I grew up on Hamilton Island.
The Whitsundays, Arlie Beach.
yes, it was great.
Um, it's funny because you livein such, like, you've got so
much freedom when you live on anisland.
So I could do whatever I want.
Andrea (30:05):
We actually worked out that I came, um, to Hamilton
Island on holiday with my littlekids.
Saraya (30:10):
Did you?
Andrea (30:11):
You were just a little kid yourself.
Saraya (30:13):
So there's a, there's a primary school in Hamilton
Island but there's no highschool.
Andrea (30:16):
Right.
Saraya (30:17):
So we did have to move eventually.
I went, I did go to an all girlscatholic boarding school um, for
a few years and then we had tomove off the island to go to the
high school which was quite adistance away.
Andrea (30:28):
Right.
Saraya (30:28):
so that's why I complain about the cold non stop.
Andrea (30:32):
Um,
Saraya (30:34):
I came to Sydney when I was 15.
Andrea (30:36):
So you moved out of home out of home when you were 15?
Saraya (30:39):
Yes.
Thanks.
Yes.
Andrea (30:40):
Wow.
Saraya (30:40):
I did, you know, I was very, I, well, I'm sure
everybody will get to know me inthe podcast, but I'm very
stubborn.
if I set my mind to something,if I set my mind to something,
I'd do it.
so yes, I moved out of home homewhen I was 15.
I rented well.
well, my dad, like, rented theapartment for me because 15 year
(31:01):
olds can't get a lease, but hedidn't live there.
I, you know, had three or fourjobs within the hospitality
space to be able to afford rent.
Andrea (31:08):
So you have a background in hospitality?
Saraya (31:10):
Yes, yeah.
I was a restaurant manager by17.
Andrea (31:14):
Wow.
Saraya (31:15):
Yeah.
Back then, um, you couldactually
Andrea (31:17):
A Chinese restaurant, right?
Saraya (31:18):
Yeah, that was a Chinese restaurant, but I did, I did
move from a Chinese restaurant.
Andrea (31:22):
And you still can't use chopsticks?
Saraya (31:24):
Shut up! But I can do the, the spoon thing to serve.
Andrea (31:27):
Yes I saw you do that.
Saraya (31:28):
I can do that, but no, I can't use chopsticks to save my
life.
You can stab them and then itwill do.
but can't use chopsticks.
and then I went to, you know,fine dining and so on.
I went into disability when Iwas 19.
Okay.
Andrea (31:39):
Okay.
Saraya (31:40):
I started in disability, uh, at 19 and I worked my way
up.
Um, I became a manager at 23 24of a community service.
So that would be like, um, inthe old days, it's, it's.
the old ADAHC days, it's called,uh, respite.
But community access, NDIS, Ihad, as a manager, at I think
(32:00):
participants, I'm not quitesure, because we did the
transition from that actually.
Andrea (32:05):
So we still we had great room for, great great capacity
in your book here.
It yeah,
Saraya (32:10):
It was all of Western Sydney, from I think Cumberland
to the Blue Mountains.
It was massive, it was massive.
Um, I have a wonderful 10 yearold daughter.
So when I was 24, 24, I hadLylah, she's 10 and she's, she's
amazing.
Andrea (32:25):
10 going for 35.
Saraya (32:27):
Oh my goodness.
God.
I was talking to my sister thismorning because she's got a
toddler and I said, oh, I kindof miss the toddler age But I
don't really miss the toddlerage, but 10 is hard work.
Girls in school are hard work.
Andrea (32:41):
Yeah, they start getting opinions at that age.
Saraya (32:44):
Oh, she's had opinions for years.
It's not now, she's had them forages, but she's still She's
actually like, she's got a lotof good, so like I see a lot of
myself in her.
Andrea (32:55):
Yeah, she's a lovely soul.
Yeah.
Saraya (32:56):
Yeah.
Well, I mean, she spends allschool holidays here, so how can
you not but she, yeah, she'sjust amazing.
So that's me.
Disability, out of.
a a little bit determined.
Moved outta home very early on.
Had to learn a lot of lifeskills really quickly like I
was.
Fifteen, I think you know theworld.
You do not know anything.
Andrea (33:17):
And so definitely, definitely you have background
in the two areas that we work inmostly.
Uh, that's very different fromme because as I said, I'm much
more of a generalist in the notfor profit and and management
area.
I don't have a background inhospitality at all.
all.
So, I've been on a very steeplearning curve, but
Saraya (33:36):
You do okay.
I've seen you work therestaurant floor.
Andrea (33:38):
Oh, yeah.
No, I enjoy it.
Don't put me behind a bar.
Saraya (33:41):
No, you are actually terrible.
Once, I was on the floor and youwere behind the bar.
It was a function and we werejust so short staffed.
Andrea (33:47):
So flustered.
Saraya (33:47):
And you literally ran to me and said, I need to swap.
Andrea (33:50):
I freeze.
Saraya (33:50):
I need to swap.
Andrea (33:50):
Yeah.
I freeze.
I just freeze.
I can't do it.
I can be in front of the bar,but not behind the bar.
Saraya (33:55):
I love the bar.
I love working behind the bar.
Andrea (33:57):
I can be, I can be in the kitchen.
I can, you know, we, we don't dothat necessarily here, but we've
actually, we actually,
Saraya (34:03):
we have to, sometimes you have to get down and,
Andrea (34:05):
well, last year we actually did New Year's Eve,
Saraya (34:08):
we did, you cooked the entire meal,
Andrea (34:10):
A function, we had a communal table, set up in the
restaurant for all the guests,that were here for New Year's
Eve, and for staff, we invitedstaff.
And we did the CEO New Year'sEve dinner, which we're actually
going to repeat this year.
and I cooked, uh, very Italianfood, um, in Italy, because it's
(34:31):
winter, it's cold.
You do very, you know, hotstuff.
Saraya (34:34):
It's not winter or cold here.
Andrea (34:36):
Well, the good thing is that it's not in Victoria.
I think it would be cold here aswell.
Saraya (34:39):
It's 10 degrees different.
Andrea (34:40):
But, um, yeah.
Yeah, and then, you know, so itwas, it was great.
So I can, I can, I can get onthe, on the tools, and
restaurant, I do okay.
and
Saraya (34:49):
I think that's a sign of a great leader.
leader.
Not that I want to give you acompliment.
Andrea (34:54):
Thank you.
Saraya (34:54):
But it is a sign of a great leader when you you can.
you.
Andrea (34:58):
No, I think you definitely need to experience
the, uh, the, the, the, thefrontline, no doubt, no doubt.
So one thing I wanted to sharewith the with the listeners is
how your job came about becauseyes, we will go there because
you actually came very veryclose
Saraya (35:16):
To not getting the job
Andrea (35:17):
to not getting the job
Saraya (35:18):
not getting the job.
I did
Andrea (35:19):
tell us what happened while you drink your coffee from
your lady boss cup
Saraya (35:25):
Well, look I was at a time in my life life where I was
really losing my passion fordisability.
I had been in two jobs and youknow, it was just after COVID.
anyway, so I, I was on Seek.
Seek.
I accidentally typed in thewrong wrong postcode.
So,
Andrea (35:42):
Fate?
Saraya (35:43):
Mm.
Fat.
fingers, yeah.
So I typed in the wrongpostcode,
Andrea (35:47):
Fat fingers.
It could be the nails.
Saraya (35:53):
It could be the nails.
It could be the nails.
So I typed in the wrong postcodeand I saw this job for Blue
Mountains.
So I must have typed in BlueMountains.
which is it's not that far fromhere, it's like an hour and a
half.
So, I saw her turning around andI was like, what is this?
Like, it doesn't exist.
so I did a quick apply, youknow, and see how you can just
do the The Quick apply.
Yeah, and I got the job.
Perfect.
That's the end of the story.
Andrea (36:14):
No, there's something in between those two lines that we
need to sort of dig into alittle bit.
So
Saraya (36:20):
Mr attention to detail
Andrea (36:22):
Stepping back a little bit, it was a very difficult
time for us.
We were coming out of lockdown.
we had just lost some key peoplewithin the hotel.
As I said, we were small, wecould adapt, but we had to
rebuild.
And so we were relativelydesperate,
Saraya (36:35):
uh, Jesus
Andrea (36:36):
to find the right person.
No, no, no, no.
Saraya (36:38):
The right person, okay.
Andrea (36:40):
To find the right person.
We, we knew that we, we had tofind the right person and we
couldn't fail.
So, lots of work.
I was actually in between jobs.
Like I had just started a newjob and I was still a volunteer
because I started it on a avoluntary basis.
and we, we had a few applicantsand when I saw your application,
(37:02):
I must have obviously looked atthe CV and liked what I read.
But.
I got put off by the fact thatyou had not put in a cover
letter.
Saraya (37:12):
And, um, as you get to know know andrea, he has a few
pet peeves that really irritatehim, one of which is not a cover
letter.
letter.
Andrea (37:21):
One of which is not to read the instructions in the ad,
because I understand that thereare some roles, um, that don't
necessarily require a coverletter, letter, more sort of
immediate transactions type ofthings.
But for a role that was soimportant, so consequential as
this one, probably you didn'tappreciate that at your end, I
(37:44):
suppose.
But anyway, for me it was veryimportant.
It was very important that youdigested the ad, the
organization, your background,put them into a mixer, Came I
back with some sort of, youknow, like thought through,
approach that explained a littlebit more about you.
So I actually called you oremailed you.
Saraya (38:04):
You emailed and it actually went to my junk, so I
didn't see it for three days.
I don't know why I checked myjunk that day, but I checked my
junk and you had requested acover letter, and I did, and
that was before ChatGPT.
Andrea (38:14):
Yeah, amazing.
You must have penned the letterby yourself, or or got some
help, called a friend, orsomething like that.
Saraya (38:20):
Probably called a friend.
Andrea (38:21):
Somehow, that got you an interview.
Saraya (38:22):
It did.
Andrea (38:23):
And how was the interview?
Saraya (38:24):
Well, I mean, There wasn't just one interview.
So the first interview wasgreat.
You had warned me, that therewas two people, but I was
freaking out before theinterview because you had left
me a voicemail and I was awaycamping.
So I didn't have any, reception.
Andrea (38:38):
Yeah.
We had to change the time orsomething.
Saraya (38:40):
Yeah.
You had to change the time, butI had given myself enough time
to get home, shower, you know,know, makeup, all of that sort
of stuff.
Andrea (38:48):
It was online.
Saraya (38:50):
So you had tried to move it two hours prior and I was
freaking out.
freaking out.
The first voicemail said, Hey,we need to change the time.
And I was like, crap.
and then the second voicemailluckily was, okay, we're keeping
it.
Andrea (39:02):
And apparently I'm intimidating.
Saraya (39:04):
You're very intimidating.
What's the most intimidating isyou have a poker face, so you
can't tell what you're thinking.
And I um, was by you and TracyLee, who's our co chair, who
we'll talk to in anotherepisode.
So intimidating, but it was whenI got called back for the second
interview that I really startedto panic because I was like,
okay, second interview, that's agood sign usually.
(39:26):
but you failed to mention thatit was going to be a five on one
interview.
Yeah.
Online.
Andrea (39:31):
Worldwide.
Saraya (39:32):
Worldwide.
Andrea (39:32):
Because we had colleagues from Italy.
Saraya (39:34):
You had the entire board.
Yeah.
Five people.
Andrea (39:37):
As I said, it was a very important position that we had
to test out.
out really and you weren't theonly one who got interviewed, so
you got
Saraya (39:44):
Was I the Actually, this is a good time to ask a
question.
Was I the only one who made itto a second interview?
Andrea (39:50):
Uh, no, I don't remember.
I actually don't remember that.
But you were definitely the,the, the leading applicant.
and um, Tracy and I sort of, youknow, fell in love with you
straight away and, and we knewthat you were the right person.
And so yeah, we, but it was,
Saraya (40:05):
that's a compliment.
Andrea (40:06):
Yeah, no, it was, it was, it was clear that you had
the, the X factor and and thenit became clear when, when we
first met, and you know, themoment I shook your hand,
realized that.
that.
We were going to be a great, agreat team.
And so, yeah, it's been,
Saraya (40:22):
we are a really good team.
Like, um, yeah, we, we get a lotdone.
I don't, I don't think we wouldhave gotten where we are today
without you and I being,
Andrea (40:31):
it's been, it's been, it's been a good ride.
So we've been rambling a lottoday, but let's talk a little
bit about the podcast podcastitself what do we want to
achieve?
What's this podcast going to be?
be?
Saraya (40:44):
So I think the biggest thing we want to achieve is.
It's about inclusion.
So the thing about us is wedon't fit into a box.
So we're a social enterprise.
We're training.
But we're not a trainingprovider.
We're not a school.
We're an NDIS provider.
We're a disability provider.
Andrea (41:02):
That could have been another good title for the
podcast.
Out of the box.
Outside the box.
Outside the box.
Saraya (41:09):
Outside the box.
That would have been a good one.
but we don't fit into it, soyes, uh, you know, we're a
business, we're a hotel, sothere's a lot of topics that we
can cover, and I think, youknow, the biggest one is, is.
it's about how to make thehospitality space more include,
like it needs to be more,everybody needs to be more
included, and, you know.
(41:29):
We are leading that change.
Andrea (41:31):
And I think, I mean, I think we have a list of guests
already either booked in or sortof planned for the next three
years, I think enough episodesfor, uh, you for that.
So, because we don't fit into aspecific lane.
And so we sort of got so manydifferent layers.
Saraya (41:47):
I think, yeah, we're really going to take a really
big, deep dive into inclusion.
Um, you know, obviously we'regoing to feature our trainees.
Andrea (41:55):
That's right.
So we're going to have alsopeople from within.
Saraya (41:57):
Trainees, guests, um, but there's a lot we can cover.
Andrea (42:00):
Staff.
Saraya (42:00):
Staff, absolutely.
employment, employment partners,industry leaders.
and not just within thehospitality space, but customer
service.
Andrea (42:09):
so, what, what, what are the next first few episodes
going to feature?
Saraya (42:16):
I think, uh, if I remember correctly, which I do
because we did it yesterday,but, it's going to be, first
we're going to talk to TracyLee.
Okay.
We're we're going to talk toAlex.
Andrea (42:27):
Tracylee Arestides, who's one of our co founders and
co chair
Saraya (42:30):
co-chair on of the board.
also who interviewed me, so Iguess.
Andrea (42:34):
And Tracylee has got a great background in disability,
in marketing.
She's a mum, she's, she's, uh,so great.
Saraya (42:42):
I think yes, it will take a deep deep dive into how
you became the CEO.
And how you became on board?
Considering that everybody knowsall my baggage about how I got
my job um, then never gonna talkto Alex We're gonna talk to Alex
about Italy.
So I think it's really importantto understand the model in Italy
Andrea (42:59):
yes, so Alex Toselli is the founder of the movement in
Italy and has a professionalbackground in banking and but he
is also a He's a great visionaryand a great leader leader and,
and, and someone that is.
It's literally taking, Italy andEurope and the world by storm
with a model and we've adoptedthe model and adapted it to the,
(43:19):
to the, to Australia.
Saraya (43:20):
So, so episode one and two will feature them.
episode three, we're going toreally take a big dive into,
employment of people with adisability and how our
employment partners actuallyhire, recruit, train, our
trainees, our graduates.
Andrea (43:35):
So we'll have, Sophia Ballone, employment manager.
Yeah, uh, who was there at theoutset when we originally came
up with the idea for for thepodcast,
Saraya (43:44):
so it's actually great.
She, she's good because shejust, she knows like when we're
bouncing ideas, like we bounce alot of ideas, ideas.
we, we're very big on this.
She's on the great, great.
And she's very good at her job,yeah.
Andrea (43:56):
And then we're going to have people from the industry.
We're going to have, our uh,trainees, our graduates, and so,
anyway, we won't bore you with alist at the moment, but we'll
definitely give you someadvanced previews of, of, uh,
episodes in each, in each, ineach episode that comes.
Saraya (44:12):
Something that we haven't spoken about, about the
song choice.
Andrea (44:16):
Yes.
Saraya (44:17):
So, this is, um, it's
Andrea (44:18):
Love it, love it, love it.
Saraya (44:19):
And it gets me in the mood all the time.
Andrea (44:21):
Um, and we've chosen the remastered live version of their
piece.
So obviously it's a song, it'sabout a hotel.
Uh, so that's quite fitting forus.
But, it's actually because,apart from being a great song,
it's I've come up, I've come upwith, uh, the reference to Hotel
(44:43):
California on the fly as I oftendo do a at a presentation
presentation for, at the FundingNetwork.
Which is, an organization thatwe will actually have as guests
as well in future hopefully,that does crowdfunding for
charities, not-for-profit socialEnterprises.
And I was talking about howHotel Etico is really the Hotel
(45:08):
California for the heart.
So if you know the words of thesong, once you check in, you can
never, never leave.
Transfer it to Hotel Etico.
Once your heart checks in,
Saraya (45:22):
you never, leave.
Andrea (45:23):
your heart never, never leaves.
So we'll, we'll let you checkout and go home, but your heart
will remain here engaged wonover you'll become an ambassador
and
Saraya (45:34):
Absolutely it's a magical, magical place.
Andrea (45:36):
You just have to read our reviews, our comments in the
visitor's book.
have the conversations on aFriday night here with guests
and just it's we tear up everynight, every day.
Saraya (45:46):
Yeah, but that's not unusual for you and I, like we
bawl our eyes.
Andrea (45:48):
Yeah.
we do something that is reallymeaningful and so Hotel
California was the perfectchoice for the song and we love
it and it will have it at thebeginning, at the end of the, of
the podcast will be our ongoingtheme.
So, thank you to the Eaglesbecause, uh, you've definitely
uh, done a masterpiece.
a masterpiece.
And so with that, I think we canprobably wrap it up.
Saraya (46:10):
Wrap up.
We didn't have the timer on thistime.
Andrea (46:12):
Oh, I've got a timer on the screen here, so it's telling
me that we've spoken for 47minutes, but by the time we edit
this episode we'll probably betrying out a few ums and
silences and pauses.
Saraya (46:23):
You can cut, cut, you can cut me out
Andrea (46:25):
I think we sort of stuck to the time relatively well, so
I think we can say goodbye.
So, until next time, from AndreaComastri
Saraya (46:36):
and Saraya O'Connell,
Andrea (46:37):
let's make room for all
Saraya (46:38):
and keep fighting for inclusion.
Welcome to the very first episode of Room for All.
Saraya (01:36):
We've called today's episode, episode zero.
Andrea (01:38):
Yep.
Saraya (01:39):
So we're going to talk more about the vision and the
mission behind Hotel Etico.
We're going to talk aboutourselves and introduce
ourselves so people can get toknow us.
And we're really going to focuson what Hotel Etico does in this
episode.
episode.
Andrea (01:54):
And talk a little bit about the podcast and
Saraya (01:57):
And the podcast and
Andrea (01:58):
What it would sound like, look like.
like.
Yes, so let's get started.
Saraya (02:02):
Straight into it.
it.
Andrea (02:03):
How excited are we?
Saraya (02:05):
Pretty excited.
It's nerve wracking starting anew project.
Andrea (02:07):
It is actually pretty
Saraya (02:09):
Stressful?
Andrea (02:09):
um, Stressful, yes.
Uh, I won't hide that been ateach other's throats for the
last couple of hours.
But, um, we're live.
Saraya (02:18):
We're live.
And the reason for us being ateach other's throats is because
this geeky stuff is not mything.
Andrea (02:25):
Yeah, detail is important when it comes to these
things.
But we'll see where it goes.
And, um, Yeah, anyway, let's getgoing.
Saraya (02:32):
Let's get started.
Um, so let's talk about how itall came about because it's kind
of a funny story.
Andrea (02:39):
Yes, if I,
IMG_5658 (02:39):
if I think I came about, it's just, uh, it's,
pretty unbelievable.
We were at NoVacancy.
Saraya (02:45):
We were, yeah.
A few weeks ago now, I think itwas about a month ago, yeah.
Andrea (02:48):
Great, great event, by the way.
Uh, great event for thehospitality industry.
Saraya (02:52):
Yeah.
Andrea (02:53):
We've been going for the last few years and, um.
Saraya (02:55):
We always learn something new wherever we, like,
every year.
Andrea (02:58):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I was, I was talking on acouple panels around HR, around
access and inclusion, and wewere visiting all the
exhibitors.
We had a few of our colleaguesfrom the hotel come, and, uh,
yeah, got lots of ideas.
But most importantly, I
Saraya (03:15):
importantly,
Andrea (03:16):
I got invited to speak.
Unplanned.
Saraya (03:19):
Unplanned, yep.
Andrea (03:19):
By Scott Boyes and Grant Alchin from, A Room with A View,
an amazing podcast.
Saraya (03:26):
Yes, I've been listening to it.
I listen to it, um, on my way towork.
Andrea (03:28):
Yeah, so we've been working with Scott, on a number
of different things, and therewill be lots in the future, but,
Yeah, Scott told me in themorning, we're recording
podcasts live uh, it would begreat to have a chat, so yeah,
of course, put a microphone infront of me, and then
Saraya (03:43):
And you don't stop talking, so perfect for a
podcast.
for a podcast, but afterwards,you like, you kind of had like
this, um, kick in your step.
Andrea (03:50):
I loved it,
Saraya (03:51):
You were beaming, like the smile on your face, and,
yeah.
Andrea (03:54):
It was a great experience, first of all.
Scott and Grant are greatinterviewers, you know, during
that podcast they go intophilosophy, they go into to all
sorts of things, they're greatsort of lovers of music and um,
yeah, so they do a great job andthey've been doing this now for
two or three years so they'vegot a lot of episodes under
their belt and they know whatthey're, they're doing.
we don't, clearly.
Saraya (04:14):
No, clearly, we've been on each other's throats a lot.
Andrea (04:16):
But as a guest, I loved it.
And I came to you and you said
Saraya (04:22):
I think we should do a Hotel Etico Podcast and you
said, said, in very choicewords, might I add,
Andrea (04:29):
You're crazy.
I said no.
No way in hell.
It's complicated.
Too much work.
We're too busy.
Saraya (04:36):
There's a lot of tech.
Andrea (04:37):
There's a lot of technology involved.
Saraya (04:39):
We have a lot on our plate.
Andrea (04:40):
Yes, and basically, no, there was nothing.
Categorical, no.
And I think you just went alongwith it, so yeah, okay, fine.
Saraya (04:46):
Yeah.
I know not to push if you sayno.
Andrea (04:49):
Well, and then, um, fast track to breakfast the following
morning.
Saraya (04:55):
Yeah, so breakfast was delightful.
I hadn't had coffee yet, and youcame down again with a kick in
your step and I was just sittingthere and you said, all right,
we're doing a podcast.
Andrea (05:05):
Yes.
And I don't know what happenedthat night.
I had some sort of epiphany.
I had some sort of,
Saraya (05:11):
you were pretty against it.
Andrea (05:12):
Yeah, but I don't know what happened that night.
Like, uh, true, I think thatnight brings counsel.
Like, I woke up in the morningand I had complete clarity of
vision.
I knew what I wanted to achievewith it, what we should cover,
who we should invite, thecontents, the already thinking
about the technology.
(05:34):
And I, I think I probably spentthe night looking at videos and
Googling stuff.
So yeah, I came up, I wasdigging into my breakfast.
I came up in the morning and,yeah, I had it all in my head
and, uh, even before you hadcoffee, which was very brave of
me.
Saraya (05:52):
Very, very brave.
Andrea (05:53):
Yes.
So yeah, it was amazing and Ithink I shocked you, I surprised
you.
Saraya (05:58):
You surprised me because, like, I know that,
like, we've been workingtogether for now nearly three
years.
So I know when you, when you'repassionate about something,
you'll give it your all.
And I think it was just like, itwas, it was no.
And I was like, okay, I'llapproach it.
First I was like, I'll justbroach it in a month's time,
like I'll slowly start plantingthe seed, but I didn't even have
(06:21):
to wait that long, 12 hours.
Andrea (06:22):
You obviously pushed the right button and I, yeah, and I,
yeah, I was, I was sold.
I was definitely sold.
Saraya (06:31):
So by the end of breakfast, I think we had like,
Uh, every episode, every personwe wanted to interview for the
first the first 12 episodes.
The schedule of when we're goingto drop the episodes.
Um, it was a good breakfast.
Andrea (06:43):
Yeah, and then, then the weekend happened.
Saraya (06:47):
Oh my god.
And I got bombarded email afteremail after the andrea shared
this Canva with you and he'sdone the artwork and he's done
Everything.
You had literally done it withinthe weekend bombarded.
Andrea (07:05):
Yes.
Saraya (07:05):
But when you set your mind to something, you, there's
no holding back.
Andrea (07:09):
Yes.
Saraya (07:10):
It didn't surprise me.
Andrea (07:11):
Yeah.
I was, I really, you know, Imean, I don't have a life to
some extent, so
Saraya (07:15):
Hotel Etico is your life,
Andrea (07:16):
spent spent hours and hours and hours on it.
And, uh, yeah, it became clearthat things could be done.
Uh, and uh, and that's where weare today.
So, you know, we, we came upwith the title.
Saraya (07:29):
Pretty quickly
Andrea (07:30):
on the same day.
Yeah, same at NoVacancy
Saraya (07:32):
Yeah.
Andrea (07:32):
We were talking to Sophia, our employment manager,
and we were sort of bouncingaround some ideas and, uh, and
we thought, well,
Saraya (07:40):
Room for all
Andrea (07:40):
it's all about inclusion.
So it needs to be to abouteveryone.
It needs to be about hotels.
So Room for all sounded, likeyeah.
The, the right title and thenthe subtitle being the inclusion
in hospitality podcast.
Saraya (07:54):
Yeah.
Andrea (07:55):
so that's what then informed the, the, the playing
around with the logo, with theartwork and, uh, yeah, and I've
been back and forth there.
Oh no, that mic is too big.
That mic is too small.
Yeah, go black to it.
Saraya (08:06):
I think this brings out another level of passion inside
of you, of the geek side.
Andrea (08:11):
Yeah, something else to argue with each other about.
but so yeah, but anyway, very,very exciting.
And, uh, we have lots of ideas,but.
I think we need to sort of stepback a little bit and, um, tell
our listeners.
Saraya (08:27):
Well, yeah.
What is Hotel Etico?
Andrea (08:28):
Yeah.
What is Hotel Etico?
Saraya (08:29):
Why should people even listen to us?
What do we do?
Andrea (08:32):
Yes.
So Hotel Etico is Australia'sfirst not for profit social
enterprise hotel.
We are based in the BlueMountains in Mount Victoria, a
heritage listed town of MountVictoria, in a beautiful,
beautiful historical building.
Saraya (08:47):
Freezing cold building.
Andrea (08:49):
Yeah, we can heat it up as much as possible.
Some days it's really tricky.
But, uh, we've got fireplaces,we've got electric blankets,
we've got heaters, um, and
Saraya (09:00):
So we've got 15 rooms,
Andrea (09:02):
All with en suite.
It's, um, a combination offamily and, uh, queen rooms,
we've got a beautiful garden.
We have lots of differentmeeting rooms, our library where
we're sitting here now today.
Saraya (09:14):
This is definitely my favorite room.
Andrea (09:16):
Yeah, it's a nice room.
We've messed up today, but yes,uh,
Saraya (09:19):
People can't see behind scenes
Andrea (09:20):
We have private private dining areas.
We have a restaurant that seatsup to 150 people.
We have a beautiful bar.
It's um, we a beer garden.
Saraya (09:29):
Great wine list.
Andrea (09:31):
Yes.
Uh,
Saraya (09:32):
Great menu.
Andrea (09:33):
The feedback we get consistently about the food and
the bar, the music.
We have live music every Fridaynight.
Saraya (09:39):
Every Friday.
And soon to be more events.
Andrea (09:42):
Yeah, and the music brings not only the guests in
the hotel but lots of locals toto the, to the restaurant.
So that's, uh, it's a it's agreat, it's a great little
venue.
And, um,
Saraya (09:55):
So why, why are we a hotel?
What are we doing?
Andrea (09:58):
Well, the other thing I wanted to say is that the
building is a beautifulhistorical building that was
built in, 1876 by John Fairfax.
So part of the Fairfax family,the founders of, of the, um,
Sydney Morning Herald, whichended up also supporting us
serendipitously meeting withthem, during our initial phases
(10:19):
and, um, they were a greatsupporter of our, uh, of our
social enterprise and, um, andthen it got passed on through
different people throughout thecenturies.
Saraya (10:28):
It's been lots of different things over the years.
Andrea (10:29):
Yes, the yes.
And, uh, we were very lucky tofind it when we were looking for
a property in the BlueMountains.
But Hotel Etico is, is a modelthat was actually born in Italy
about 10 years ago.
Mm hmm.
A model that, uh, has nowexpanded in Italy significantly.
There are five hotels at themoment, as far as I know.
(10:51):
There are hotels overseas and weare the first one in Australia.
We opened in November, 2020,right in the peak of COVID.
Saraya (10:59):
It's a great time to open a hotel.
I see no problem.
Andrea (11:02):
Yes.
Um, it was definitely, itbrought some challenges, but I
also say often that.
We were lucky that we were sosmall at the moment, at that
time, that the metaphor I oftenuse is that, imagine a big
storm, And you're a little twig.
Um, a little twig bends reallyeasily in a storm and it doesn't
(11:24):
get affected.
And it can easily bend and adaptand then after the storm grow
and become stronger.
If we were a big establishedtree, we would have been taken
down by the storm.
Saraya (11:36):
Yeah.
Andrea (11:37):
And so I think that's a, you know, might be a bit of a
cheesy metaphor, but I think itactually, it's a great
representation of of, we're at.
Saraya (11:45):
You're good with metaphors.
I really stuff them up.
So I won't be the one on thispodcast that says
Andrea (11:51):
Well, you've only recently learned how to spell
the word metaphor probably, so
Saraya (11:54):
Jesus! Insult!
Andrea (11:56):
It's a little advance, um, advance preview of, um, of
the relationship, yeah.
But, um what else?
So, that's the business.
Saraya (12:12):
That's the business.
Andrea (12:13):
But what's behind the business, or the purpose of the
business, is that we run atraining program, an employment
and training program, for youngpeople with disability.
Saraya (12:23):
Yeah.
So the first year is theindependence program.
So our trainees our traineeslive on site three days a week.
They swap their days everysecond week.
On site, they not only work inthe hotel where they're paid
full award wage, they trainwithin the hotel, so we have our
own curricula, we break down alot of learning styles, we adapt
a lot of our training, theylearn on the job and formal
(12:46):
training, we do workshops and soon, but the thing that makes the
model so unique is the live incomponent.
Andrea (12:53):
Yes, they live in the Academy of Independence, which
is a supported accommodationeffectively.
With support workers withdisability expertise that,
supervise, support, guide,coach, mentor the
Saraya (13:08):
coach,
Andrea (13:08):
trainees, in their independent living skills.
Saraya (13:11):
Yeah, so they learn all aspects of it.
So, making your bed, cooking,cleaning, budgeting.
Andrea (13:16):
Spending time together, getting under each others skin,
argue interact be friends.
Saraya (13:23):
Yeah.
It's hard, I think, for peoplewith a disability when you move
out of home for the first time.
And this is I think, where youcan really learn.
And it's only three days a week.
So you learn to live with otherpeople.
Because, I mean, when you firstmoved out of home, did you live
with other people?
or
Andrea (13:39):
Well, my story is probably a little bit different
actually.
Saraya (13:42):
We'll go into that later.
Andrea (13:43):
Yes.
Saraya (13:44):
But it's hard to live with people.
I think.
They learn to live with otherpeople, they learn the skills to
be able to be independent, tocook for themselves.
They they literally in charge oftheir own life here.
So they have to do everythingwith support, but without that
support.
Andrea (14:00):
And they travel here by themselves, right?
Saraya (14:01):
Yeah, mostly.
Yep.
Mostly they will, or theyorganize it.
They travel on the train.
I think a few of them meet up.
Andrea (14:07):
Where do they come from?
Saraya (14:09):
Generally two hours.
Uh, actually this cohort though,we have two from Canberra.
So that's.
That's a big commitment.
Three, three and a half hours.
Andrea (14:16):
It is a big commitment.
Saraya (14:17):
That's a big commitment.
But there's nothing like us inAustralia.
Andrea (14:19):
Previously we had someone from Newcastle, we had
people from the SutherlandShire,
Saraya (14:23):
Bathurst,
Andrea (14:24):
Northern Beaches, Bathurst, Golbourn so yes,
definitely two or three hoursaway seems to be the feasible
distance in a way.
And the group is a group of 15.
So we started in 2020 with sixtrainees.
Then at the end of the first 12months we double the intake to
12.
Saraya (14:41):
Yeah.
Andrea (14:41):
Then we extended it to 13 and this current group is 15.
Saraya (14:45):
Yeah.
And so after the 12 months theygraduate, they get a Hotel Etico
certificate.
We hold a big graduationceremony, which is amazing.
And I babble and cry the entiretime.
So that's always fun.
In front of a lot of people.
Andrea (14:57):
Yes.
and so they graduate both fromthe independent living program
and from the hospitalityemployment program.
Saraya (15:04):
So while they are doing the program, so for the first
three months, they work in allareas of the hotel, they train
in all areas.
Andrea (15:13):
We say that they work front and center.
Saraya (15:14):
They do, they are front and center.
Reception, we've got kitchen,we've got bar, we've got
housekeeping.
you name it, they do it.
Yeah, dish bay restaurant floor.
Absolutely everything.
Um, and then, they, for thefurther nine months after that,
they've tried everything, theyknow what they want to do,
that's when we really focus onwhat we call their, they
(15:35):
specialise.
Andrea (15:36):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Saraya (15:37):
So they'll specialise in, say, restaurant, for
example.
So we work really hard and we doour specific training within the
restaurant, if that's what theypick.
And then that then sets them upfor what comes next.
Andrea (15:48):
Yes.
Saraya (15:48):
So then we look for employment for them within our
industry partners.
And we will talk a lot moreabout it in future episodes.
But, um, we're not adestination, we're a pathway.
So we're a pathway to theircareer in hospitality.
Andrea (16:02):
And that's quite unique, in the sector.
Yeah.
Because We, we're not a placewhere you're here for life, from
a point of view of work.
There's other reasons why you'rehere for life.
We'll talk about that a littlebit later, but, yes, it's a
pathway to employment.
If we, we really truly believethat, um, independence and
dignity.
It comes from paid work, in openemployment, so when they're with
(16:25):
us from day one, they're paidfull award wages.
Saraya (16:29):
Yes, they are.
Andrea (16:30):
So that's another very unique feature.
it was a big decision by us togo down that path.
An expensive
Saraya (16:36):
the right decision,
Andrea (16:37):
but it's a, yeah, it was definitely the right decision.
And, uh, we haven't looked back.
And so they.
They find employment eitherbefore they graduate or just
after they graduate or a littlebit later.
Some of them takes a bit longer.
We'll be talking about thiswith, with Sophia, our
Employment Manager, in one ofthe next few episodes.
(16:57):
But there's also a transitionphase that we've just
implemented actually.
Saraya (17:01):
Yeah.
Because it's, it's a bigtransition, right like you are
going from living with 15 peopleto then moving.
Andrea (17:08):
Yes.
Saraya (17:09):
You know, moving again.
So we really do build thecapabilities and the skills for
them to be able to transition.
And we want to transition them.
Well,
Andrea (17:15):
yeah.
Saraya (17:16):
Because we don't want, you know.
you know, we don't want them tojust go into a job and last 12
weeks weeks.
Andrea (17:22):
And then we work with, as you say, we industry, so we
work with the tourism andhospitality industry, other
businesses, customer facingroles, and find jobs for, for
our graduates and then keepsupporting them.
Saraya (17:35):
Yes.
And the employer.
So I think that's another thingthat's really unique with us is
like we will train the employerbecause we don't want to be
there.
We, we want to, um, We want tomake the hospitality industry
more inclusive.
Andrea (17:47):
That's right.
So our vision is to not onlywork with the trainees and their
families, not only to transform,transform the the perception of
every single guest that comesthrough the doors of the hotel
in terms of what they know andthink and understand about
disability and employment, butthen transform the industry.
(18:10):
We want to make, literally wewant to make.
Australia's tourism andhospitality industry, the most
inclusive tourism andhospitality industry in the
world.
Saraya (18:20):
Absolutely.
Andrea (18:20):
There is great appetite out there.
Things are moving a bit slow,slower than we would love, but
we are really encouraged by thegreat interest, the great
appetite that we've picked upand we're experiencing with our
partners, to employ, to learn,to be inclusive and, and
transform their, their culture,their own culture.
Saraya (18:42):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And like, the biggest thing, um,with our employers is like, the
training that we offer, like,we've had feedback to say that
they're, the, the uptake forthat training is the biggest
they've ever had.
Andrea (18:55):
Yes, yes, yeah.
Saraya (18:57):
So, it's, it's amazing.
Andrea (18:58):
It's fantastic.
And, you know, what's going onin, in, in corporate Australia
around, uh, diversity andinclusion is, is, is very
important for us because itcreates the right environment
for us to sort of.
of introduce ourselves and, and,and contribute and add value to
the industry.
So, it's almost like the perfectstorm to some extent.
(19:19):
Um, and so going back to anotherstorm metaphor and, um, but we
also refer to us as a socialenterprise.
Saraya (19:30):
Yes.
Um, so I will confess that whenI started I didn't even know
what a social enterprise was.
Um, I probably just googled it.
I didn't find much.
I didn't really understand ituntil I heard you say this.
Andrea (19:45):
Hmm.
Yeah, I, I'm borrowing thisquote from a, leader in the
social enterprise sector, KylieClement, who's the CEO of SECNA,
the social enterprise councilof, New South Wales and ACT.
ACT.
And I don't even know if it's anoriginal quote, but I definitely
heard her saying it.
I've been using it.
I think you've been using it aswell.
Saraya (20:05):
I do because it's the best way to explain it.
Andrea (20:08):
Yeah.
Yeah.
it often brings smile to theaudience and, and sort of nod
and acknowledgement.
And it's a simple, simple way.
Basically.
A for profit business and a notfor profit, a traditional
charity, have a baby.
This baby is a socialenterprise.
So what does that mean?
It means that we bring forwardat the same time, concurrently,
(20:34):
profit and purpose.
And these two Ps, profit andpurpose, are in tension with
each other.
Saraya (20:43):
Yes.
Andrea (20:43):
Right?
Are in conflict with each other.
Saraya (20:45):
All the time.
Andrea (20:45):
Yes, and so our job is to understand how to achieve the
purpose, which is the ultimateaim, through profit.
And sometimes decisions have tobe made, that purpose comes
first, other times profit needsto come first because it's a
means to an end.
Saraya (21:04):
It is.
Andrea (21:05):
Obviously ideally.
We, want to bring them forwardat the same time with the same
level of passion and the samelevel of energy and dedication
and focus.
But sometimes that tensionexists.
And that is, in my opinion, abeautiful, beautiful environment
to work in in.
because
Saraya (21:23):
It is magical.
Andrea (21:25):
What gets you you out of bed in the morning, right?
Saraya (21:27):
Well, it definitely keeps us up on our toes.
Andrea (21:28):
Yeah, it keeps us awake at night as well.
Saraya (21:31):
There's no day that's ever the same here.
Andrea (21:32):
Yeah, so I think I'm a great, I'm a great advocate,
great sort of supporter of thesocial enterprise movement.
Yeah, and agree.
I've worked in socialenterprises before and I know
that is the new way of making adifference in the world in a way
that is sustainable.
Saraya (21:51):
Yes, it, it, the most important thing is that it needs
to be sustainable.
Andrea (21:54):
Yeah, hard work, very hard work because, you end up
complicating your business in away that no, other for profit
business would ever do that.
Saraya (22:05):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, worth it.
Yeah, absolutely worth
Andrea (22:09):
but that's, yeah, that's, that's what it's all
about.
And so that's, that's what asocial enterprise is.
so we should probably pause fora second and introduce ourselves
personally.
Saraya (22:23):
I think you should go first.
first.
Yes
Andrea (22:25):
Yeah, sure.
Saraya (22:26):
Give you a mic and you won't stop talking.
Andrea (22:29):
Yes.
Saraya (22:29):
So, who is Andrea Comastri?
Andrea (22:34):
I'm just I'm just laughing at your pronunciation.
Saraya (22:36):
Why?
I can't say it.
it.
You say it properly.
Andrea (22:39):
Yeah, you need to roll.
So, yes, my name is AndreaComastri and I am the I and CEO
and co-founder of Hotel Etico inAustralia.
I was born in Italy nearlynearly 54 years ago in 1970.
and after growing up in Italy ina very, socially conscious and
(23:05):
engaged and politically engagedfamily, I went to school, went
to university, did a degree inpolitical science and
international studies, did a bitof traveling, learned English
and started sort of developing alittle bit of a passion about
travel, until, through apersonal, personal journey, I
(23:27):
ended up migrating to Australia.
And so in 1995, at the tenderage of 24 years of age, I came
to Australia and I moved.
and
Saraya (23:37):
That's a big move.
Andrea (23:38):
It's a big move.
Um, but I had a partner, I had ahouse, I spoke English,
relatively well.
well.
Saraya (23:46):
I'll be the judge of that.
Andrea (23:47):
Oh, big, well, well, I spoke well enough to be able to
secure a job pretty muchstraight away.
So interestingly.
The very first job that Iapplied for was probably a
couple of days after I landed inAugust And it with an
organization working within theItalian community
Saraya (24:04):
So you didn't need to speak English much?
Andrea (24:06):
I didn't need to speak English, in that job as much as
in other jobs, but they were abit slower coming back to me.
And so I ended up gettinganother job first at what was
known as Grace Brothers or Meyernowadays.
Saraya (24:21):
Meyer, I know Meyer, I don't know Grace Brothers.
Andrea (24:23):
Yeah, so I did a couple of interviews.
They thought that because I wasItalian, I would want a job in
the, Men's fashion.
I remember doing an interview atthe Chatwood store and and I was
like,
Saraya (24:35):
I can't picture you in sales for men's for fashion.
Andrea (24:38):
It was, it was ridiculous.
but then, so I didn't get thatjob.
I was looking for anything atthat point, but.
but, and, but straight away theyoffered me a job in the home
office, uh, department.
Saraya (24:50):
So you could give out?
Andrea (24:51):
Yeah.
Like we were sellingtypewriters.
Oh.
We had a couple of computers.
We had some electronic stuff.
I remember we still had toauthorize credit card payments
by going at the back, picking upthe phone, calling the phone
number.
Listening to the code, readingthe credit card on the phone and
(25:13):
listening to the approval fromthe other side.
Saraya (25:16):
You're really showing your age here.
Andrea (25:17):
I thought my English was great, it was so bad.
It was so difficult.
I remember going home and afterstanding up for like 12 hours in
a day and speaking in anotherlanguage that wasn't mine It was
so tiring.
Like it was really, reallytiring.
So really great respect topeople that work in retail and
(25:39):
hospitality, because at thestart, especially in another
language, it was really, reallyhard, but it only took about a
month and a month after.
I got a call from this otherorganization.
Saraya (25:50):
And that was a not for profit?
Andrea (25:51):
Not for profit, it a bit of a growing path as well.
And, was small at the time and Istraight away basically got
employed in a a relativelyjunior role, but because it was
so flat, I was effectively thesecond in charge.
And so after a number of years,I became the CEO.
And, within there, you know,established, we established a
(26:11):
school, for example, of akitchen Italian man.
We established the first Italianbilingual school in the country.
Saraya (26:17):
I think I really need to learn it though italian.
Andrea (26:19):
Yeah, well, we can work on that.
Um, so that, that actually, Idrew a lot of lessons from that
experience because we startedfrom scratch.
We started from a group of six,really,
Saraya (26:29):
Really?
Andrea (26:30):
Started with a group of six students.
it it was, look, we'll probablycan go into this another time,
but it was amazing parallels inthat experience.
And then after that I, I wasthere for 17 17 years up and
then I worked in other than notfor profits, and consultant, as
a director, I worked inphilanthropy for five years and
(26:51):
there was another
Saraya (26:52):
Grateful for that.
I'm grateful for that.
Andrea (26:53):
Yes, because working in philanthropy just opened up
another world for me that whenwe started Hotel Etico, gave us
access to people, language,methodologies.
contacts, just different way ofthinking, which was really,
really useful for us.
And so, yes, that was fantastic.
And within that job, I also rana couple of social enterprises.
(27:17):
So, I was running a, cafe, whichagain, great parallel, like a
group of cafes on work sitesemploying with challenges to
employment, training them,finding them jobs.
So very, very similar.
and a lot of those learnings gotsort of transferred in here
personally.
And we were also running a, asocial enterprise farm, a
(27:39):
blueberry farm in Coffs Harbour,that was running a, drug and
alcohol rehab program in it.
So, again, huge learnings there.
I felt like Andrea the farmer.
It was really fascinatingjourney.
And now I am Andrea thehotelier.
According to Scott and Grant,I'm now a hotelier.
Saraya (27:57):
You you did get called a hotelier.
I haven't been called one yet,so I need to, I need to
Andrea (28:02):
Well, tell us, tell us, tell us your journey.
Saraya (28:04):
Well, let's talk about, so we'll see whether you
personally though, personally.
Andrea (28:07):
Personally, me.
Okay.
Well, personally, me, as I said,I'm 54.
I have two grown up children, 25and 26.
I have, Martina, who's 26.
Matteo, who is, 25, almost 25next month, and, they have their
own passions.
Martina lives overseas inPanama.
She runs a a, communitydevelopment, community
(28:30):
engagement groups and, inPanama.
and she's doing an amazing job.
Like, I mean, I talk with herregularly.
I see photos online of all the,she recently built a house for a
family, like I saw her with likea drill in her hand and big
smile.
And, and, and then, But then shehas sloth pets, you know, like
she's
Saraya (28:49):
Like an actual slot slots.
Andrea (28:51):
Yes.
Like, is the national animalthere in Panama.
Saraya (28:54):
Are you allowed to have a sloth as a pet?
Andrea (28:56):
I don't know, but they get rescued.
So it's it's a a rescue thing.
So, so amazing, amazing life,amazing life.
And Matteo, who's a bit of an ITgeek like me.
he does a lot of work in, doeslots of work in hospitality as
well, actually, but, He works inproject management IT it and,
um, yeah, he's, he's developingas a, as a very well rounded
(29:18):
individual and, and both of themhave got a great heart and a
great passion for, social impactin life.
And so that, I think that's, Ithink that's coming down through
generations in our family, whichis fantastic.
And, yeah, and then, that's,that's about it.
but I'm sure other personalthings will come up in, in
future, but tell us about you.
Who is Soraya O'Connell?
Saraya (29:40):
Very complex question.
Andrea (29:41):
Yeah, let's give a simple answer to the complex
question
Saraya (29:44):
Simple.
Uh, so I grew up in North northQueensland, so not Italy, but
North Queensland.
Andrea (29:50):
Beautiful beautiful part of the country.
Where about?
Saraya (29:53):
Hamilton Island.
Andrea (29:54):
Wow.
Saraya (29:54):
I grew up on Hamilton Island.
The Whitsundays, Arlie Beach.
yes, it was great.
Um, it's funny because you livein such, like, you've got so
much freedom when you live on anisland.
So I could do whatever I want.
Andrea (30:05):
We actually worked out that I came, um, to Hamilton
Island on holiday with my littlekids.
Saraya (30:10):
Did you?
Andrea (30:11):
You were just a little kid yourself.
Saraya (30:13):
So there's a, there's a primary school in Hamilton
Island but there's no highschool.
Andrea (30:16):
Right.
Saraya (30:17):
So we did have to move eventually.
I went, I did go to an all girlscatholic boarding school um, for
a few years and then we had tomove off the island to go to the
high school which was quite adistance away.
Andrea (30:28):
Right.
Saraya (30:28):
so that's why I complain about the cold non stop.
Andrea (30:32):
Um,
Saraya (30:34):
I came to Sydney when I was 15.
Andrea (30:36):
So you moved out of home out of home when you were 15?
Saraya (30:39):
Yes.
Thanks.
Yes.
Andrea (30:40):
Wow.
Saraya (30:40):
I did, you know, I was very, I, well, I'm sure
everybody will get to know me inthe podcast, but I'm very
stubborn.
if I set my mind to something,if I set my mind to something,
I'd do it.
so yes, I moved out of home homewhen I was 15.
I rented well.
well, my dad, like, rented theapartment for me because 15 year
(31:01):
olds can't get a lease, but hedidn't live there.
I, you know, had three or fourjobs within the hospitality
space to be able to afford rent.
Andrea (31:08):
So you have a background in hospitality?
Saraya (31:10):
Yes, yeah.
I was a restaurant manager by17.
Andrea (31:14):
Wow.
Saraya (31:15):
Yeah.
Back then, um, you couldactually
Andrea (31:17):
A Chinese restaurant, right?
Saraya (31:18):
Yeah, that was a Chinese restaurant, but I did, I did
move from a Chinese restaurant.
Andrea (31:22):
And you still can't use chopsticks?
Saraya (31:24):
Shut up! But I can do the, the spoon thing to serve.
Andrea (31:27):
Yes I saw you do that.
Saraya (31:28):
I can do that, but no, I can't use chopsticks to save my
life.
You can stab them and then itwill do.
but can't use chopsticks.
and then I went to, you know,fine dining and so on.
I went into disability when Iwas 19.
Okay.
Andrea (31:39):
Okay.
Saraya (31:40):
I started in disability, uh, at 19 and I worked my way
up.
Um, I became a manager at 23 24of a community service.
So that would be like, um, inthe old days, it's, it's.
the old ADAHC days, it's called,uh, respite.
But community access, NDIS, Ihad, as a manager, at I think
(32:00):
participants, I'm not quitesure, because we did the
transition from that actually.
Andrea (32:05):
So we still we had great room for, great great capacity
in your book here.
It yeah,
Saraya (32:10):
It was all of Western Sydney, from I think Cumberland
to the Blue Mountains.
It was massive, it was massive.
Um, I have a wonderful 10 yearold daughter.
So when I was 24, 24, I hadLylah, she's 10 and she's, she's
amazing.
Andrea (32:25):
10 going for 35.
Saraya (32:27):
Oh my goodness.
God.
I was talking to my sister thismorning because she's got a
toddler and I said, oh, I kindof miss the toddler age But I
don't really miss the toddlerage, but 10 is hard work.
Girls in school are hard work.
Andrea (32:41):
Yeah, they start getting opinions at that age.
Saraya (32:44):
Oh, she's had opinions for years.
It's not now, she's had them forages, but she's still She's
actually like, she's got a lotof good, so like I see a lot of
myself in her.
Andrea (32:55):
Yeah, she's a lovely soul.
Yeah.
Saraya (32:56):
Yeah.
Well, I mean, she spends allschool holidays here, so how can
you not but she, yeah, she'sjust amazing.
So that's me.
Disability, out of.
a a little bit determined.
Moved outta home very early on.
Had to learn a lot of lifeskills really quickly like I
was.
Fifteen, I think you know theworld.
You do not know anything.
Andrea (33:17):
And so definitely, definitely you have background
in the two areas that we work inmostly.
Uh, that's very different fromme because as I said, I'm much
more of a generalist in the notfor profit and and management
area.
I don't have a background inhospitality at all.
all.
So, I've been on a very steeplearning curve, but
Saraya (33:36):
You do okay.
I've seen you work therestaurant floor.
Andrea (33:38):
Oh, yeah.
No, I enjoy it.
Don't put me behind a bar.
Saraya (33:41):
No, you are actually terrible.
Once, I was on the floor and youwere behind the bar.
It was a function and we werejust so short staffed.
Andrea (33:47):
So flustered.
Saraya (33:47):
And you literally ran to me and said, I need to swap.
Andrea (33:50):
I freeze.
Saraya (33:50):
I need to swap.
Andrea (33:50):
Yeah.
I freeze.
I just freeze.
I can't do it.
I can be in front of the bar,but not behind the bar.
Saraya (33:55):
I love the bar.
I love working behind the bar.
Andrea (33:57):
I can be, I can be in the kitchen.
I can, you know, we, we don't dothat necessarily here, but we've
actually, we actually,
Saraya (34:03):
we have to, sometimes you have to get down and,
Andrea (34:05):
well, last year we actually did New Year's Eve,
Saraya (34:08):
we did, you cooked the entire meal,
Andrea (34:10):
A function, we had a communal table, set up in the
restaurant for all the guests,that were here for New Year's
Eve, and for staff, we invitedstaff.
And we did the CEO New Year'sEve dinner, which we're actually
going to repeat this year.
and I cooked, uh, very Italianfood, um, in Italy, because it's
(34:31):
winter, it's cold.
You do very, you know, hotstuff.
Saraya (34:34):
It's not winter or cold here.
Andrea (34:36):
Well, the good thing is that it's not in Victoria.
I think it would be cold here aswell.
Saraya (34:39):
It's 10 degrees different.
Andrea (34:40):
But, um, yeah.
Yeah, and then, you know, so itwas, it was great.
So I can, I can, I can get onthe, on the tools, and
restaurant, I do okay.
and
Saraya (34:49):
I think that's a sign of a great leader.
leader.
Not that I want to give you acompliment.
Andrea (34:54):
Thank you.
Saraya (34:54):
But it is a sign of a great leader when you you can.
you.
Andrea (34:58):
No, I think you definitely need to experience
the, uh, the, the, the, thefrontline, no doubt, no doubt.
So one thing I wanted to sharewith the with the listeners is
how your job came about becauseyes, we will go there because
you actually came very veryclose
Saraya (35:16):
To not getting the job
Andrea (35:17):
to not getting the job
Saraya (35:18):
not getting the job.
I did
Andrea (35:19):
tell us what happened while you drink your coffee from
your lady boss cup
Saraya (35:25):
Well, look I was at a time in my life life where I was
really losing my passion fordisability.
I had been in two jobs and youknow, it was just after COVID.
anyway, so I, I was on Seek.
Seek.
I accidentally typed in thewrong wrong postcode.
So,
Andrea (35:42):
Fate?
Saraya (35:43):
Mm.
Fat.
fingers, yeah.
So I typed in the wrongpostcode,
Andrea (35:47):
Fat fingers.
It could be the nails.
Saraya (35:53):
It could be the nails.
It could be the nails.
So I typed in the wrong postcodeand I saw this job for Blue
Mountains.
So I must have typed in BlueMountains.
which is it's not that far fromhere, it's like an hour and a
half.
So, I saw her turning around andI was like, what is this?
Like, it doesn't exist.
so I did a quick apply, youknow, and see how you can just
do the The Quick apply.
Yeah, and I got the job.
Perfect.
That's the end of the story.
Andrea (36:14):
No, there's something in between those two lines that we
need to sort of dig into alittle bit.
So
Saraya (36:20):
Mr attention to detail
Andrea (36:22):
Stepping back a little bit, it was a very difficult
time for us.
We were coming out of lockdown.
we had just lost some key peoplewithin the hotel.
As I said, we were small, wecould adapt, but we had to
rebuild.
And so we were relativelydesperate,
Saraya (36:35):
uh, Jesus
Andrea (36:36):
to find the right person.
No, no, no, no.
Saraya (36:38):
The right person, okay.
Andrea (36:40):
To find the right person.
We, we knew that we, we had tofind the right person and we
couldn't fail.
So, lots of work.
I was actually in between jobs.
Like I had just started a newjob and I was still a volunteer
because I started it on a avoluntary basis.
and we, we had a few applicantsand when I saw your application,
(37:02):
I must have obviously looked atthe CV and liked what I read.
But.
I got put off by the fact thatyou had not put in a cover
letter.
Saraya (37:12):
And, um, as you get to know know andrea, he has a few
pet peeves that really irritatehim, one of which is not a cover
letter.
letter.
Andrea (37:21):
One of which is not to read the instructions in the ad,
because I understand that thereare some roles, um, that don't
necessarily require a coverletter, letter, more sort of
immediate transactions type ofthings.
But for a role that was soimportant, so consequential as
this one, probably you didn'tappreciate that at your end, I
(37:44):
suppose.
But anyway, for me it was veryimportant.
It was very important that youdigested the ad, the
organization, your background,put them into a mixer, Came I
back with some sort of, youknow, like thought through,
approach that explained a littlebit more about you.
So I actually called you oremailed you.
Saraya (38:04):
You emailed and it actually went to my junk, so I
didn't see it for three days.
I don't know why I checked myjunk that day, but I checked my
junk and you had requested acover letter, and I did, and
that was before ChatGPT.
Andrea (38:14):
Yeah, amazing.
You must have penned the letterby yourself, or or got some
help, called a friend, orsomething like that.
Saraya (38:20):
Probably called a friend.
Andrea (38:21):
Somehow, that got you an interview.
Saraya (38:22):
It did.
Andrea (38:23):
And how was the interview?
Saraya (38:24):
Well, I mean, There wasn't just one interview.
So the first interview wasgreat.
You had warned me, that therewas two people, but I was
freaking out before theinterview because you had left
me a voicemail and I was awaycamping.
So I didn't have any, reception.
Andrea (38:38):
Yeah.
We had to change the time orsomething.
Saraya (38:40):
Yeah.
You had to change the time, butI had given myself enough time
to get home, shower, you know,know, makeup, all of that sort
of stuff.
Andrea (38:48):
It was online.
Saraya (38:50):
So you had tried to move it two hours prior and I was
freaking out.
freaking out.
The first voicemail said, Hey,we need to change the time.
And I was like, crap.
and then the second voicemailluckily was, okay, we're keeping
it.
Andrea (39:02):
And apparently I'm intimidating.
Saraya (39:04):
You're very intimidating.
What's the most intimidating isyou have a poker face, so you
can't tell what you're thinking.
And I um, was by you and TracyLee, who's our co chair, who
we'll talk to in anotherepisode.
So intimidating, but it was whenI got called back for the second
interview that I really startedto panic because I was like,
okay, second interview, that's agood sign usually.
(39:26):
but you failed to mention thatit was going to be a five on one
interview.
Yeah.
Online.
Andrea (39:31):
Worldwide.
Saraya (39:32):
Worldwide.
Andrea (39:32):
Because we had colleagues from Italy.
Saraya (39:34):
You had the entire board.
Yeah.
Five people.
Andrea (39:37):
As I said, it was a very important position that we had
to test out.
out really and you weren't theonly one who got interviewed, so
you got
Saraya (39:44):
Was I the Actually, this is a good time to ask a
question.
Was I the only one who made itto a second interview?
Andrea (39:50):
Uh, no, I don't remember.
I actually don't remember that.
But you were definitely the,the, the leading applicant.
and um, Tracy and I sort of, youknow, fell in love with you
straight away and, and we knewthat you were the right person.
And so yeah, we, but it was,
Saraya (40:05):
that's a compliment.
Andrea (40:06):
Yeah, no, it was, it was, it was clear that you had
the, the X factor and and thenit became clear when, when we
first met, and you know, themoment I shook your hand,
realized that.
that.
We were going to be a great, agreat team.
And so, yeah, it's been,
Saraya (40:22):
we are a really good team.
Like, um, yeah, we, we get a lotdone.
I don't, I don't think we wouldhave gotten where we are today
without you and I being,
Andrea (40:31):
it's been, it's been, it's been a good ride.
So we've been rambling a lottoday, but let's talk a little
bit about the podcast podcastitself what do we want to
achieve?
What's this podcast going to be?
be?
Saraya (40:44):
So I think the biggest thing we want to achieve is.
It's about inclusion.
So the thing about us is wedon't fit into a box.
So we're a social enterprise.
We're training.
But we're not a trainingprovider.
We're not a school.
We're an NDIS provider.
We're a disability provider.
Andrea (41:02):
That could have been another good title for the
podcast.
Out of the box.
Outside the box.
Outside the box.
Saraya (41:09):
Outside the box.
That would have been a good one.
but we don't fit into it, soyes, uh, you know, we're a
business, we're a hotel, sothere's a lot of topics that we
can cover, and I think, youknow, the biggest one is, is.
it's about how to make thehospitality space more include,
like it needs to be more,everybody needs to be more
included, and, you know.
(41:29):
We are leading that change.
Andrea (41:31):
And I think, I mean, I think we have a list of guests
already either booked in or sortof planned for the next three
years, I think enough episodesfor, uh, you for that.
So, because we don't fit into aspecific lane.
And so we sort of got so manydifferent layers.
Saraya (41:47):
I think, yeah, we're really going to take a really
big, deep dive into inclusion.
Um, you know, obviously we'regoing to feature our trainees.
Andrea (41:55):
That's right.
So we're going to have alsopeople from within.
Saraya (41:57):
Trainees, guests, um, but there's a lot we can cover.
Andrea (42:00):
Staff.
Saraya (42:00):
Staff, absolutely.
employment, employment partners,industry leaders.
and not just within thehospitality space, but customer
service.
Andrea (42:09):
so, what, what, what are the next first few episodes
going to feature?
Saraya (42:16):
I think, uh, if I remember correctly, which I do
because we did it yesterday,but, it's going to be, first
we're going to talk to TracyLee.
Okay.
We're we're going to talk toAlex.
Andrea (42:27):
Tracylee Arestides, who's one of our co founders and
co chair
Saraya (42:30):
co-chair on of the board.
also who interviewed me, so Iguess.
Andrea (42:34):
And Tracylee has got a great background in disability,
in marketing.
She's a mum, she's, she's, uh,so great.
Saraya (42:42):
I think yes, it will take a deep deep dive into how
you became the CEO.
And how you became on board?
Considering that everybody knowsall my baggage about how I got
my job um, then never gonna talkto Alex We're gonna talk to Alex
about Italy.
So I think it's really importantto understand the model in Italy
Andrea (42:59):
yes, so Alex Toselli is the founder of the movement in
Italy and has a professionalbackground in banking and but he
is also a He's a great visionaryand a great leader leader and,
and, and someone that is.
It's literally taking, Italy andEurope and the world by storm
with a model and we've adoptedthe model and adapted it to the,
(43:19):
to the, to Australia.
Saraya (43:20):
So, so episode one and two will feature them.
episode three, we're going toreally take a big dive into,
employment of people with adisability and how our
employment partners actuallyhire, recruit, train, our
trainees, our graduates.
Andrea (43:35):
So we'll have, Sophia Ballone, employment manager.
Yeah, uh, who was there at theoutset when we originally came
up with the idea for for thepodcast,
Saraya (43:44):
so it's actually great.
She, she's good because shejust, she knows like when we're
bouncing ideas, like we bounce alot of ideas, ideas.
we, we're very big on this.
She's on the great, great.
And she's very good at her job,yeah.
Andrea (43:56):
And then we're going to have people from the industry.
We're going to have, our uh,trainees, our graduates, and so,
anyway, we won't bore you with alist at the moment, but we'll
definitely give you someadvanced previews of, of, uh,
episodes in each, in each, ineach episode that comes.
Saraya (44:12):
Something that we haven't spoken about, about the
song choice.
Andrea (44:16):
Yes.
Saraya (44:17):
So, this is, um, it's
Andrea (44:18):
Love it, love it, love it.
Saraya (44:19):
And it gets me in the mood all the time.
Andrea (44:21):
Um, and we've chosen the remastered live version of their
piece.
So obviously it's a song, it'sabout a hotel.
Uh, so that's quite fitting forus.
But, it's actually because,apart from being a great song,
it's I've come up, I've come upwith, uh, the reference to Hotel
(44:43):
California on the fly as I oftendo do a at a presentation
presentation for, at the FundingNetwork.
Which is, an organization thatwe will actually have as guests
as well in future hopefully,that does crowdfunding for
charities, not-for-profit socialEnterprises.
And I was talking about howHotel Etico is really the Hotel
(45:08):
California for the heart.
So if you know the words of thesong, once you check in, you can
never, never leave.
Transfer it to Hotel Etico.
Once your heart checks in,
Saraya (45:22):
you never, leave.
Andrea (45:23):
your heart never, never leaves.
So we'll, we'll let you checkout and go home, but your heart
will remain here engaged wonover you'll become an ambassador
and
Saraya (45:34):
Absolutely it's a magical, magical place.
Andrea (45:36):
You just have to read our reviews, our comments in the
visitor's book.
have the conversations on aFriday night here with guests
and just it's we tear up everynight, every day.
Saraya (45:46):
Yeah, but that's not unusual for you and I, like we
bawl our eyes.
Andrea (45:48):
Yeah.
we do something that is reallymeaningful and so Hotel
California was the perfectchoice for the song and we love
it and it will have it at thebeginning, at the end of the, of
the podcast will be our ongoingtheme.
So, thank you to the Eaglesbecause, uh, you've definitely
uh, done a masterpiece.
a masterpiece.
And so with that, I think we canprobably wrap it up.
Saraya (46:10):
Wrap up.
We didn't have the timer on thistime.
Andrea (46:12):
Oh, I've got a timer on the screen here, so it's telling
me that we've spoken for 47minutes, but by the time we edit
this episode we'll probably betrying out a few ums and
silences and pauses.
Saraya (46:23):
You can cut, cut, you can cut me out
Andrea (46:25):
I think we sort of stuck to the time relatively well, so
I think we can say goodbye.
So, until next time, from AndreaComastri
Saraya (46:36):
and Saraya O'Connell,
Andrea (46:37):
let's make room for all
Saraya (46:38):
and keep fighting for inclusion.
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