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April 16, 2026 • 33 mins

In this episode, Cody sits down with a very special guest—Malissa Baum, a seasoned Virtual GM who has been part of the team at Vibrant Management for over four years.

Malissa currently oversees operations at two incredible properties: Adobe Desert Boutique Motel and Watchman Villas, giving her a unique perspective on what it really takes to run hospitality operations remotely in today’s world.

This episode is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities, rewards, and lessons of being a Virtual GM in modern hospitality.

🔹 Segment 1: Why the Virtual GM Role Works
Malissa shares her favorite part of being a Virtual GM and why this model is becoming more powerful in today’s hospitality landscape.

From flexibility to scalability, she explains:
 👉 What makes this role so unique—and so impactful

🔹 Segment 2: Advice for Aspiring Virtual GMs
Thinking about running your property virtually? Malissa breaks down:

  •  The mindset you need 
  •  The systems that make it possible 
  •  The habits that separate good from great 

👉 What does it really take to succeed remotely in hospitality?

🔹 Segment 3: The Hardest Part of the Job
It’s not all smooth sailing. Malissa gets real about:

  •  The challenges of remote leadership 
  •  Communication gaps 
  •  Maintaining consistency without being on-site 

👉 Honest insight into what most people underestimate about the role

🔹 Segment 4: Love for Hospitality
At the core of it all—why hospitality?

Malissa shares what she loves most about the industry:

  •  Creating memorable guest experiences 
  •  The human connection behind every stay 
  •  The ability to impact someone’s trip in a meaningful way 

🔹 Segment 5: Rapid Fire — Personal & Professional Insights
Cody dives into a series of rapid-fire questions to get to know Malissa on a deeper level:

  •  Favorite place to travel ✈️ 
  •  Best hotel she’s ever stayed at—and why 
  •  Biggest win in her career 
  •  Biggest loss (and what she learned) 
  •  How she defines success today 

🔹 Closing Takeaway
This episode is packed with real-world insights for anyone interested in:

  •  Running properties remotely 
  •  Scaling hospitality operations 
  •  Building a career in modern hotel management 

👉 Final Thought: The future of hospitality leadership isn’t tied to a desk—it’s built on systems, trust, and perspective.

Follow us on Instagram - 
@thevibrantteam
@virtualgmpodcast

Checkout our website - 
www.thevibrantteam.com

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