Hospitable is a podcast that discusses how to make hospitality MORE human through technology.
Hospitable focuses on discussing the leading challenges facing the hospitality industry and to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices that are shaping the industry. Each episode features interviews with hoteliers, restaurateurs, chefs, industry analysts, and other experts who share their insights and experiences on topics such as customer experience, sustainability, innovation, staffing, and more.
Hosted by Rob Napoli
Ep 19: The Italian Design Methodolgy to Modern Day Hospitality with Lissoni Architecture
CEO Stefano Guisanni
00:00:00:14 - 00:00:46:10
Stefano Giussani
Every project is like a love conversation I mean, or a relationship between people because okay, you start with that, fireworks, then maybe kind of, okay, then maybe some days are not good some day’s are fantastic, and the same is a project, because what we see now is the result of many up and down, compromises, or redesign consideration and, adjustment and lots of hours spent, all behind that computer or maybe on site. So this is really the cherry on the cake, at the end.
00:00:46:12 - 00:01:14:10
Rob Napoli
All right. We are back for another episode of Hospitable. I'm your host Rob Napoli. And today is kind of a special one. I know I always get excited about the guest, but we're actually in the hotel a.k.a Nomad which was designed by a company called the Lissoni Architecture, which we have the CEO, Stefano Giussani of the company and really excited Stefano, I've known you what, seven and a half years now.
00:01:14:10 - 00:01:15:17
Stefano Giussani
Yeah.
00:01:15:19 - 00:01:17:00
Rob Napoli
It's been, it's been a while, right.
00:01:17:00 - 00:01:18:02
Stefano Giussani
Yes, Yes.
00:01:18:04 - 00:01:37:13
Rob Napoli
So Stefano and I have been through a lot and my wife works for Stefano and I've gotten to see the rise of the New York office and the Lissoni architecture. So I wanted to have you on to talk about your journey into design, talk about, why New York City, the magic of this city, Italian design style.
00:01:37:13 - 00:01:48:07
Rob Napoli
And then ultimately, when you think about designing, what is technology fit into the design philosophy. So why don't we start with a short like quick intro of who Stefano is?
00:01:48:08 - 00:01:53:01
Stefano Giussani
Yes. Okay. Let's try to be concise, emphasizing
00:01:53:03 - 00:01:53:14
Rob Napoli
It's all good.
00:01:53:16 - 00:02:20:19
Stefano Giussani
Once you pick an Italian, Italians like to talk a lot a lot, a lot. And for a long time. But anyway, we can try to be more American this time and well, thank you for having me here, and yes, it's true. It was an interesting journey to move from Milan when I come from and, established the U.S. chapter of the firm that I work with since 20 years now
00:02:20:19 - 00:02:42:15
Stefano Giussani
So It’s long time don't count the years. Because, of course, in every time you count the years, you. You feel even more, more. But it's okay. But is this a truly, that many years means a lot of experience, lots of opportunities, to test yourself, learn the market, understand the project, so and go deeper and deeper also into the details of the projects
00:02:42:15 - 00:03:06:13
Stefano Giussani
So that is I think I would like to see on the positive side of it, and regards the journey New York was the place to be, long time ago and I worked for more than ten years around Asia and so I really, and indulges my sales beside working, of course, traveling many countries over there.
00:03:06:14 - 00:03:27:09
Stefano Giussani
And then in 2014 actually was the year when we talking with Piero, Piero said, okay, now what's next? And the say next is the US, because you ask, he was always there waiting for us and we were waiting to get the right time, to come here. And the first time I came to U.S I was ten.
00:03:27:12 - 00:03:58:03
Stefano Giussani
So really young. And since then, there was something maybe was written, I don't know. And then Destiny and not just solely destiny what brought me here. And now I'm here, and I'm very happy to be here. Yeah. So this is just as a summarize of that today on the business side of it, U.S was really a new canvas, a new page, to write a new book, full of enthusiasm and excitement and new ventures.
00:03:58:03 - 00:04:19:16
Stefano Giussani
This country such big and diverse, and New York is really the most diverse, place in this country. And so we definitely wanted to be part of it, like the songs. Yeah, part of it. And if you make it there, you can make it anywhere, which is so true because stuff to work here.
00:04:19:18 - 00:04:41:05
Stefano Giussani
But and so now we are in New York and from New York we cover the Americas. We have projects from north to south, from east to west and further west in there wise. And then we go up to Vancouver, down in Brazil, so, and everywhere. So this is a little bit the journey of our firm that again turned into an architectural firm last year.
00:04:41:07 - 00:05:18:21
Stefano Giussani
And so now we provide every service, that any client can have. But keeping and this I think, is the do our part in it. We're asking me, the good part is that, yes, we bring our Italian, let's say, European approach, and philosophy because, of course, we have other cultural roots, but into the American market and how we did that, the first thing I did when I moved here, establishing the office after a few months, I needed to change my classes, because, yes, maybe I told you already, but I mean, I bought these glasses which I love it
00:05:18:21 - 00:05:42:01
Stefano Giussani
Which are American glasses. Otherwise I couldn't see an American way, So I had to change, the lenses and to fine tune, my eyes. And I know I like to jokes, but it is also true, because if I was keep looking at things, with our Italian eyes, we were focused on things that here is different, or maybe I have a different perception.
00:05:42:01 - 00:06:06:05
Stefano Giussani
So the sooner I got to that point, to understand and respect, different culture and make it mine a little bit, that was the key, to understand, how to propose things, how to work in this place, this environment with different people, different cultures. So and that really was the game changer, the glasses.
00:06:06:07 - 00:06:24:11
Rob Napoli
The glass. I love that. I mean, I love that. Like, that's literal and, kind of I know it's poetic, right. Like how to change a lens. You got to really look at things differently, having, being in Milan and then spending time in Asia and then coming to the U.S., seeing the different cultures and understanding what you're stepping into.
00:06:24:11 - 00:06:28:12
Rob Napoli
It's one thing to travel. It's a different to live, right
00:06:28:14 - 00:07:02:03
Stefano Giussani
Absolutely. Yeah indeed living here again, probably I was kind of meant to be. It was meant to be, that I had to come here, so I was really open to it, open to absorb, open to get inspired and influenced by anything around me. this is always honestly, this is it is in my blood, But here even more, it was so excited, I couldn't even see the fatigue, the tiredness.
00:07:02:03 - 00:07:20:06
Stefano Giussani
That at the beginning of the journey, I had because it was tough. we move, we two languages, one kind of three and a half years, I mean, it was a lot and it was tough. New country, new language, new everything. But now, we are we are really excited, still excited every day.
00:07:20:08 - 00:07:22:22
Stefano Giussani
I feel that I didn't see anything yet.
00:07:23:00 - 00:07:43:07
Rob Napoli
So it's I love that, because I feel being from the US but living in and Missouri and then Iowa and yeah Italy and then coming to New York, I think the people come and travel here, they visit here. they do a lot right here. you get caught up in sweat and energy, but you're always exhausted.
00:07:43:07 - 00:08:08:07
Rob Napoli
And people are like, how do you do it? I can never do it. And it's like, think about that. Every day when you wake up and you go outside and you could be just shit tired, right kids are up late. Wildlife didn't sleep, but when you hit kind of the city and you start walking up and you see that there is a tangible electricity and yes, it drives I mean, it drives me every day why I love it, but I feel like you're the same way.
00:08:08:07 - 00:08:12:00
Rob Napoli
And it's like it's hard to explain the magic of that feeling sometimes.
00:08:12:00 - 00:08:40:00
Stefano Giussani
It's like you feel like into a vacuum, the back. But in other cases and the majority of it, you feel part of the stream so are into it. you can't stop. I recently read a nice it was not a poetry, but I mean it was a sentence and I love that we are kind of part of a river, and we are into the river.
00:08:40:04 - 00:08:57:11
Stefano Giussani
And so the river is always going forward. And you can never look back, because you have always to look forward. And a certain point, you reach the ocean and so when you reach the ocean, the ocean is kind of scary because you don't know what you're going to get. But once you are in, you are part of it
00:08:57:16 - 00:09:16:20
Stefano Giussani
And this is exactly the feeling have, being here. I feel part of it now and again, the excitement, the reader I mean the energy that you said, that is all surround us is what keeps us into the game, So maybe we'll one day that contained a week or a week that contains a month
00:09:16:22 - 00:09:17:09
Rob Napoli
We are part of this.
00:09:17:09 - 00:09:36:15
Stefano Giussani
So many different things, But it's part of it. So when I leave, when I and I travel a lot, but when I travel after three days, I'm out of the city. I kind of miss it. it despite I love maybe that I'm going in beautiful places or whatever. But and I mean, now it's part of my blood.
00:09:36:15 - 00:10:05:11
Stefano Giussani
So how I then convey all that energy in to the project, was really to bring it. With the flavor as my accent, with the flavor of the sea, Italian or European, as we said before, to approach, back into a more structured way of applying the project, and going a little bit into your topic, that it was how we use the technology.
00:10:05:11 - 00:10:36:12
Stefano Giussani
We use a I approach technology in the same way our approach to design. So if I bring my, let's say, simple details, of the Italian design into a kind of bold environment here, I would do the same, we did with the technology, because the technology to me should be simple enough to be to be kind of invisible and to make the magic for the boldness of the design of it that we are delivering.
00:10:36:14 - 00:11:05:22
Stefano Giussani
So I always use these term called invisible details. To me, invisible details are the details that you don't see, but you feel it, and you feel it only when they are really, really hidden because that you don't see anything. But when you are in a space and, well, as we told, and you have old and technology is absolutely the leading role in these, movie all of the of the good design and good project.
00:11:05:22 - 00:11:14:14
Stefano Giussani
So, yes, this is how I approach, with the same simplicity that I consider maybe other elements, that can be part of the design.
00:11:14:16 - 00:11:42:15
Rob Napoli
I love that, it's beautiful that we get to sit here and hotel like Nomad, which is a hotel that you all designed. Was that for a Design of the Year award? Yeah. Along with the other one in Alexandria, which actually won what is it like what was it like, moving to New York, starting the office area on these dreams and to finally say, like, you're here, like your, the firm you built here finally has a New York City.
00:11:42:15 - 00:11:49:01
Rob Napoli
What was that experience like for you when you got to open this hotel and see it? And it's in its design finished face.
00:11:49:01 - 00:12:17:04
Stefano Giussani
And it was exactly like the first time we moved here. I mean, it was the first journey, the first adventure, the first dating, the first time, I mean, every project is like a I love conversation, I mean, or a relationship between people because, okay, you start with, fireworks, then maybe kind of, okay, then maybe some days are not good.
00:12:17:04 - 00:12:41:12
Stefano Giussani
Someday’s are fantastic, and the same is a project, because, what we see now is the result of many up and down, all compromises, or redesign, consideration, adjustment and lots of hours spent, all behind that computer or maybe on site. So this is really the cherry on the cake at the end
00:12:41:12 - 00:13:07:12
Stefano Giussani
So this. Yes. Is one of the they say new icons, that we have in our portfolio because is the first hotel in New York in general for our firm because Lissoni for sure is when knowing worldwide for many hotels and lots of hospitality projects hospitality for us is really the core business and but this one is the first one we opened in the city.
00:13:07:14 - 00:13:29:16
Stefano Giussani
And as I said, a very beginning of this conversation, working in New York is different from anywhere else. And I tell you, when I moved here after one year or so, I was trying to promote the office to get new is something project and one day I met this guy that was interested about our firm.
00:13:29:18 - 00:13:47:10
Stefano Giussani
So I met for a coffee and so on, And so they said, Well, I may have a project with that project in, in the city. I said, okay, so have you ever done any hotel project oh yes many so I'm not a present in your project. Maybe in Dubai, India, China or whatever
00:13:47:12 - 00:14:08:16
Stefano Giussani
And they say, Yeah, about any ever opened. Have you ever done, an open in hotel in New York? And I say no. Okay, so what open one hotel in New York and then call me back. I have his number and I'm going to call him now, not for sure. No. Yes. I kept there, and I have it I have is number.
00:14:08:18 - 00:14:32:23
Stefano Giussani
And then now that we have one, I going to call him because I want to do you remember me. I'm the guy. that's a few years ago. I told you, and okay, now we have to tell because and I tell you, that was another lesson that I learned, because for the same topic that I'm completely open, ears, eyes and everything, to learn everyday.
00:14:33:03 - 00:14:51:05
Stefano Giussani
And I still I feel every day that I still need to start everything yet, it didn't start and that was a good lessons for me. And now after one hotel, we built a complicated process that we went through. Now I understand why the guy, told me that, it's true because he was really tough.
00:14:51:08 - 00:15:02:04
Stefano Giussani
Yeah. Now, if we have to do maybe his hotel now, now we know how to handle it. You know that. We know how to handle the city because this is exciting, but tough.
00:15:02:05 - 00:15:18:05
Rob Napoli
I love that. And I love that he proceeds. And I think that's really cool because one of those things where, there's those moments in life where, like, there's that challenge and it's like, how do you respond? And it may take longer than you expect, but the fact that, here you are now and that next hurdle is is like, okay, what's next?
00:15:18:05 - 00:15:39:14
Rob Napoli
Right. I think that's the beauty of this. And it's something that I really find intriguing about the way that, you, know the UPO right, The whole PO experience, the Lissoni experience and having getting to see it the last few years, when I was in Milan to here that there is and you kind of talking to us but there's this thoughtfulness in every element of design.
00:15:39:19 - 00:16:03:03
Rob Napoli
And where does that philosophy come from? And he talks about changing the lens a little bit for the US market. What are the things that is like that you think about on a daily basis when you're looking at the bigger picture? What are those things that really highlight for you? That's like, this is like essential this only we can't change versus where is it like I'm learning these things where we can add and you're like, Oh, I love this.
00:16:03:03 - 00:16:07:18
Rob Napoli
I want to add this to our design profile. How do you balance that out?
00:16:07:20 - 00:16:53:05
Stefano Giussani
Well, for instance, the we like also to work. We just positions, and so, just position of elements of cultures, of objects, styles, and yeah, cultures as I said. But yeah, that for sure is something that we are continuously research for eight, new matierials, the new influences, where the world is going, because an architect is not just the guy who prepared the drawings, And moreover from our school, which is different from the Anglo-Saxon school, so we come from a place where we put the human be in the middle, and then we work.
00:16:53:05 - 00:17:13:08
Stefano Giussani
All around it So we design the object, we design the space where the object is going to be. And we designed the building where the space to contain the object is going to be. So is really holistic, the approach and I have to tell you, yes, Lissoni is very much driven by that holistic approach. doing everything in the office.
00:17:13:08 - 00:17:35:18
Stefano Giussani
We have, different disciplines under the same vision. We have the graphic department, we had the product design, interior design, architecture, all together, not all the time, but most of the time. And this, I think, is something that for this market was kind of disruptive, kind of new. And it took me a while, to convey the message to our targets.
00:17:35:20 - 00:17:56:21
Stefano Giussani
And now they really appreciate, because under the same vision, they can get a consistent design, throughout any disciplines, and for this and this yes is almost one of the example, because is where we really thought about the objects, the flowers, the table, the artwork, anything that you can see here
00:17:57:01 - 00:18:19:22
Stefano Giussani
So it cohesive, and it gives, the sense of place that is consistent throughout, even the signage there, the key card anything can be the details. They make the difference. The same letters that I told you before. So this, I think, is very much like Lissoni, the attention for detail, the silence detail that I told you before and the unexpected.
00:18:19:22 - 00:18:49:12
Stefano Giussani
Also, sometimes we like to be a little bit ironic, because the ironic aspect of every project, not to take too serious or in any case, the elements that people remember the most, because they are unexpected, so every so rigorous, and then there is, I don't know, a handle that is so special or maybe a line that is really out of place, let's say, But is and so we like to play with the done that.
00:18:49:14 - 00:19:17:23
Rob Napoli
I love it. And that's I think that's really cool because when we think about the world that that I live in at OmniBoost world of the technology side of it right there's especially as we go into 2024 and the rise of leisure travel right business plus leisure in that kind of dual sense where it's like some hotels are meant for families, some hotels are many more, the work environment and that the guest experience needs to be seamless and you don't want to sit there filling out a bunch of paperwork.
00:19:17:23 - 00:19:39:14
Rob Napoli
You want to come in and you want to have a guest experience. And when you talk about the design of the space, it's the human is the middle, and then everything else gets both around it from what I, from going to aka Alexander to here, you actually don't see the checking computers. Yeah. And like that is such a small detail where you don't feel like you're going to look they're going to look you look at the screen outside, they're looking like they're looking at you.
00:19:39:14 - 00:19:43:21
Rob Napoli
And those are the small details that are so quintessential.
00:19:43:23 - 00:19:45:02
Stefano Giussani
Yes, true.
00:19:45:04 - 00:19:50:16
Rob Napoli
And that's why I love that that blend of like technology and design, because, the computers there, it has to be there.
00:19:50:20 - 00:19:53:17
Stefano Giussani
Yeah. But I mean.
00:19:53:19 - 00:20:07:13
Rob Napoli
But you hide it well and it's beautiful to see, But it's interesting just to hear the thought process of how you think about where those things are, because I know you barely ever see a court in the Lissoni hotel.
00:20:07:15 - 00:20:38:18
Stefano Giussani
Yeah you don't see court we don't like TV in the sense of as an object. So of course we know that people want TV. So we have a TV. But maybe the TV is, I don't know, treat it as another, unexpected object. So maybe we frame it, we kind of hiding or maybe concealing two cabinets or something that is not that obvious, So without displaying too much but focusing on the function so that, and so that technology also is important.
00:20:38:22 - 00:21:08:16
Stefano Giussani
For one hotel or for any hotel that we design because you want the guest experience as the primary focus of our any of our challenges. You know that in our ventures that we're doing around the globe and the guest experience could be enhanced and supported by good technology. So you need also good partners in that sense, because the seamless approach that you need, from technology is what make the difference.
00:21:08:19 - 00:21:33:03
Stefano Giussani
So if I'm a guest and I'm arriving in a place after 9 hours flight and something I don't want to get crazy getting, where is the switch for the lights? Or maybe I cannot adjust my phone. I cannot do that at that. nowadays in 2024, that to me is not allowed, to get lost, within it, because now, I mean, I have a watch with the watch, I can do anything I want.
00:21:33:03 - 00:21:51:13
Stefano Giussani
I can pay with the watch, which is so exciting, because I told you, maybe I'm not the best technology person in the globe, but so I'm still amazed, about what technology can do. do we pay with the watch? Is that maybe I get just an ice cream, but I mean, coffee, but I can pay with watch.
00:21:51:13 - 00:22:35:14
Stefano Giussani
It's too it's fantastic. it's something really special. And so if I apply to the design, the secret, technology is so beautiful. I do hospitality since 20 years. And the positive aspect of the 20 years is that I could that I could have seen the evolution, of technology and in the rooms, in the public spaces, the light, the treatment of the lights, the partnering of technology with certain functions such as maybe the shades, maybe the control of the temperature, control of the the music, the feelings, that you can have
00:22:35:14 - 00:22:50:01
Stefano Giussani
In a room that for a designer is super important, because you can enhance again this experience, inside of a project versus having a maybe beautiful ambient but maybe doesn't work at the end.
00:22:50:01 - 00:23:06:09
Rob Napoli
So that's what I think is really cool because I think about the guest experience and think about potentially even in there are some like apps and things where you can open your door with your watch. You don't actually have to have a key card. Oh yeah. I mean, that's one thing I hate when I travel is getting a key card because I do not have that trust in my wallet.
00:23:06:09 - 00:23:10:15
Rob Napoli
Like I'm not on those guys. The big thing was I had to. Yeah, I had never have an extra slot for key card
00:23:10:21 - 00:23:28:21
Stefano Giussani
Yeah It's true because it is. You are always we are kind of obsessed by the minimal like, bare minimum things. That's why I told you the watch, watch is an example, I don't have to carry anything else. sometimes. If maybe I missed something.
00:23:28:21 - 00:23:37:11
Stefano Giussani
No, I didn't miss anything. Because I have everything I need and so it's I agree with you. the kick out, I think, is obsolete now I mean, you don't need it now.
00:23:37:11 - 00:24:00:19
Rob Napoli
And, you've got self check in sometimes and some hotels and yeah I was actually the hotel in Boston recently where the whole room was powered by an iPad. Yeah. And it was such a cool experience. But at the same point it's a challenge because when you actually sit back and think about that and having to design that, knowing that they want a fully automated room does change the design theory, design thinking and what you need to pick from the materials and stuff.
00:24:00:19 - 00:24:16:13
Rob Napoli
And so I think that's really cool and that's why I asked kind of like that at least. Lissoni Yeah, where you kind of bring all that energy from, you have the quintessentially Lissoni but then there's Stefano's vision of having lived in Asia, having, work to live in the States and tying all that together.
00:24:16:16 - 00:24:50:06
Stefano Giussani
Well, I, I tell okay, I love hospitality. I love hospitality design a lot. I do that since long time and I would like to do it for many other years. I love so much that, I started to teach hospitality design. And to me, teaching is also another source of inspiration, because you are in contact with another generation of designers, the designers to be, or they get start approaching this work.
00:24:50:08 - 00:25:13:14
Stefano Giussani
And I love to see, with their fresh eyes, how they see things. in hospitality design, which is as much as we do at the office. when we start a new project, I want everyone to say their thoughts about it, because, a room can be designing gazillion way different, from this one, or from any anything else.
00:25:13:16 - 00:25:40:04
Stefano Giussani
And so going back to school, for me was important, because I could get the new inspiration. And I have to tell you that technology is absolutely presence in any idea or any project that I develop with the guys, the students here at Parsons and, for instance, the, the ambiance, that you said, before maybe you can transform, completely a room.
00:25:40:04 - 00:26:10:08
Stefano Giussani
You can customize, the software, whatever you would like to see when you reach the place. So okay I'm booking this hotel that was very interesting maybe was last year, one student so that I mean before you arrive at your destination at the time of the booking, you book at home and then so in your super comfort place, and you can customize already what your experience, which experience you would like to get, when you're going to get there.
00:26:10:10 - 00:26:37:06
Stefano Giussani
And of course, you won't get upset, because this experience are going to picking and so this is only possible, with technology because then when you arrive at your place, you feel already part of it, and for people for reason that they don't like, unexpected things, that's perfect, because you can pick your smell, the light, the sounds, the music.
00:26:37:06 - 00:26:59:03
Stefano Giussani
You prefer. Of course, small touches, but they really make the difference. So very intriguing about it. You know how to use it more. In our projects sometimes, is not just a matter of budget, yes or no. Because nowadays, I mean, to budgets kind of flat, I mean, there's not big gap, between one and another.
00:26:59:03 - 00:27:26:20
Stefano Giussani
Again, they offer for a switch, a light switch. That have to the billions of light switch, so you can actually achieve, and the static, in many ways, but and that to me allows, to put maybe more effort, in shift budgeting. What will make the real difference in the perception of the guest at the end which will turn into a very successful place.
00:27:26:20 - 00:27:38:01
Stefano Giussani
And so then I go back again and I spread the word blah, blah, blah. And then so it's a very good thing, for the operators, because at the end they need occupancy, they need people.
00:27:38:02 - 00:28:06:22
Rob Napoli
And so as especially as I was listening to you talk through that, and so that really highlighted to me, too, when you're talking about, the teaching of passes, which I think is amazing. And, I also think it's really impactful and important. Christin found Lissoni through futures right at SPD in Milan I think that the and I know this is part of the Lissoni culture giving back to the communities you serve, teaching the youth, but also leveraging that to like learn because like the younger generations are digital natives.
00:28:06:23 - 00:28:07:18
Stefano Giussani
Oh yeah.
00:28:07:20 - 00:28:17:09
Rob Napoli
And so being able to go and absorb that information as a CEO of a company is absolutely amazing because now all you giving back all of your knowledge, you're also probably taking in justice.
00:28:17:09 - 00:28:52:05
Stefano Giussani
And the process is a mutual exchange. I would say, because as I was a student, I was so excited, when I studied interior design and I was absorbing like a sponge, from the people that were doing these profession, since many years, And in Milan, interior design is kind of, intense, I mean, super detailed driven and obsessed by details and quality of details.
00:28:52:07 - 00:29:29:08
Stefano Giussani
So which so exciting, for someone who loved this job, as I do. And so when I was it's cool a university you get in contact with real, people and not just professors, that were sharing their expertise. And since then, any time I had the opportunity that are polytechnic or maybe another institution to teach, to students, that was my focus, to sharing experiences, because I would give you my experience as much as I learned before
00:29:29:13 - 00:29:43:12
Stefano Giussani
And then I hope that who is going to get it, is going to use it and then shed it again. So is, I think, the best way of recycling and, recycle of knowledge is, so that is so beautiful.
00:29:43:14 - 00:30:04:17
Rob Napoli
It's also shows an element of servant leadership. Right. And it's this, I think, the mark of any good leader in life is that those that person leads go on to be better than them. Right. Because if you taught them everything you knew as a leader and you gave yourself those that you train will surpass you someday.
00:30:04:19 - 00:30:15:17
Rob Napoli
And that is beautiful. When you can give back those communities that way, I think is such an amazing thing. And I love that you do that in so cool because I see that happening with some so many people that we saw at Lissoni across the world. It’s such a cool thing.
00:30:15:19 - 00:30:39:07
Stefano Giussani
Because, this is what I learn, and what I got, and so to me was really important, because indeed I got this space, and trust to build, what we are seeing now. Yeah. Not just the Italian, but, I mean, our firm here.
00:30:39:09 - 00:31:08:11
Stefano Giussani
And so that to me, was a great opportunity in life, to test myself, to challenge myself, but also to return, what they people gave me, on that side, so with the same enthusiasm, this is what I would like to share, with the younger generations, that are approaching this work because the world design is really exciting, so vast, can do whatever you want.
00:31:08:11 - 00:31:52:09
Stefano Giussani
You can design a maybe you won't be rich as a either profession. But indeed, the your soul is super rich. because you're going to get the rich, day by day. You can design not an object as a trade show, a shop window, anything. I mean, creativity, you can apply for anything also in business, because if you have a creative mind, and they ask you to strategize as or to outline, how to build a new venture, well, you should absolutely be of creativity, in order even to approach numbers
00:31:52:09 - 00:32:18:21
Stefano Giussani
At the end, because, yeah, you need to be smart enough to understand, to prioritize, or to build a new drawing, also in that field. So and that is, is there is a portion of my job, that, nobody told me, university is something that I learned on a day by day exercise and on a day by day practice and is very exciting.
00:32:18:21 - 00:32:30:10
Stefano Giussani
So maybe I would like to draw a little bit more, sometimes but, the component of the managing aspect of the profession is very exciting, I got to tell you.
00:32:30:10 - 00:32:36:07
Rob Napoli
Yeah, I can imagine. Especially since your office has grown. Oh, yeah, exponentially. You're up like, 12, 14 already.
00:32:36:07 - 00:32:38:05
Stefano Giussani
Yeah we have 15 people.
00:32:38:08 - 00:32:38:18
Rob Napoli
That amazing
00:32:38:20 - 00:32:43:16
Stefano Giussani
I move alone with the 12 luggages.
00:32:43:18 - 00:32:53:07
Rob Napoli
I love that. I know you and I can sit and talk all day, so I want to kind of end with just a few questions that are one word answers. All right.
00:32:53:09 - 00:32:55:21
Stefano Giussani
Okay one word perfect. I love it.
00:32:55:22 - 00:33:03:03
Rob Napoli
When you think of New York City, what's one way to describe the city?
00:33:03:05 - 00:33:12:15
Stefano Giussani
Oh, wow one word. There are many words. I need to pick the one. Unexpected.
00:33:12:17 - 00:33:23:07
Rob Napoli
I love that. You must will say magic energy. Unexpected. Yes, I love that. And New York is a it is unexpected all the time, everywhere and anywhere.
00:33:23:07 - 00:33:24:05
Rob Napoli
It changes all the time.
00:33:24:05 - 00:33:27:23
Stefano Giussani
As you said. Okay, Now you were here, you went out and you saw the Empire City.
00:33:27:23 - 00:33:29:01
Rob Napoli
Oh it’s Beautiful.
00:33:29:03 - 00:33:30:01
Stefano Giussani
It was unexpected.
00:33:30:05 - 00:33:37:04
Rob Napoli
Absolutely unexpected. And this terrace and just the. it's not you forget that you're in the city.
00:33:37:06 - 00:33:38:17
Stefano Giussani
No. Yeah.
00:33:38:19 - 00:33:39:09
Rob Napoli
I mean.
00:33:39:11 - 00:33:41:16
Stefano Giussani
Immediately and it reminds you.
00:33:41:16 - 00:33:49:02
Rob Napoli
Yeah, exactly. So favorite place you've ever visited?
00:33:49:04 - 00:34:15:20
Stefano Giussani
I know this one. because there's a talking about hospitality. So it is a place that to me, I will never, ever forget, which is the Lake Palace Hotel in India. So this was a private residence of a maharajah, and he's still in hotel. But like, if you are 200 years.
00:34:15:22 - 00:34:39:14
Stefano Giussani
So and in the middle of the lake. So to go there in the boat, then you land from the boat. And then inside there are the Indian music. they throw flowers and then the people with the turban peacock in the garden, the I mean, is something that I mean, I never, never forget, I mean, that is really one of the best place I ever visited.
00:34:39:14 - 00:35:00:13
Rob Napoli
And I love about that. I always ask that question is travel is such a sincere memory, so it will never it's you remember your past in your worst. Like those are so stuck in for you and you'll never forget that. I mean, one of my favorite it's not even I mean, I love Italy and I was at Cassidy 15 and we got to go for that overnight.
00:35:00:13 - 00:35:11:13
Rob Napoli
And just the whole experience of like the dinner and the boat ride, having coffee overlooking the great Exactly Like I thought that was just like it's one of those things that you'll never forget.
00:35:11:13 - 00:35:12:08
Stefano Giussani
History to.
00:35:12:10 - 00:35:12:23
Rob Napoli
It’s so simple.
00:35:12:23 - 00:35:34:05
Stefano Giussani
Yeah, the rituality was really special. The light was candlelight and dusk and then this mad, the air and the sounds and the music and the taste. That to me, again, talking about hospitality was really the essence of it. And so that made the experience.
00:35:34:07 - 00:35:48:18
Rob Napoli
Yeah, absolutely. And that was part of the reason my Casa di fettuccini. So experience for me was I mean, we were there for the airport open for the season and they were testing out a new chef. So however, we were the one that got to try the new food. I was like, Hey, if.
00:35:48:20 - 00:35:56:04
Stefano Giussani
I skipped Italy, because of course, is my country. Of course, the other amazing places. I mean, I don't even want to start.
00:35:56:06 - 00:36:09:15
Rob Napoli
So, you love New York, you've lived in Milan. If the place you obviously are living here, what's one city that if you could you had moved to right now move maybe not forever, but you want to live for at least six months.
00:36:09:15 - 00:36:31:11
Stefano Giussani
Tokyo. Yes, for sure. Yes. Maybe that because is super connected with my Asian time there and I love it so and Tokyo I think is another place that is one and only is like New York. I mean is there's no other places like that. But definitely yes. If you ask me where do you want to move.
00:36:31:12 - 00:36:34:13
Stefano Giussani
Yeah, maybe there, maybe not forever, but yes for a while.
00:36:34:15 - 00:36:46:04
Rob Napoli
Yes for a while love that. I love that. And Tokyo is definitely on my list. I want to be. Oh, yes. Now it's I mean, Kristie, she wants to do a whole Southeast Asia into Tokyo, Japan.
00:36:46:07 - 00:36:48:03
Stefano Giussani
Is so beautiful. I mean.
00:36:48:03 - 00:36:48:18
Rob Napoli
Look at that.
00:36:48:18 - 00:36:52:08
Stefano Giussani
So one day you to get there for sure.
00:36:52:10 - 00:37:01:11
Rob Napoli
Stefano I appreciate the energy, the passion and making this happen and letting us, looking to subject come this amazing hotel. Congrats on everything that you've built so far. I know it's
00:37:01:14 - 00:37:07:06
Stefano Giussani
I didn't did it alone I mean without a good team zero happen because I mean.
00:37:07:08 - 00:37:27:19
Rob Napoli
Yeah I love that And I just wanted to say, thank you. And I was so excited to have you on, having known you for so long and such an intimate, different way of watching your kids grew up in the city. So appreciate you for coming on. I know we could talk forever, but if anyone is watching this and listening to this podcast, we'd love to learn more.
00:37:27:19 - 00:37:32:14
Rob Napoli
How do they get in touch with you? What's the best way to connect with you Stefano and Lissoni?
00:37:32:16 - 00:37:44:20
Stefano Giussani
Well, me definitely. Social media, such as Instagram, that can be a definitely good point. Otherwise, you can visit the website, that will be lissoni.us and you can even reach me out from there.
00:37:44:20 - 00:37:59:11
Rob Napoli
Excellent. Well, I'll make sure to link your Instagram because, yes, he is definitely a great follow on Instagram. I definitely love his stories. I still am jealous from your Vegas trip fyi.
00:37:59:13 - 00:38:01:04
Stefano Giussani
That was really, really fun.
00:38:01:06 - 00:38:04:08
Rob Napoli
Just randomly popping up as a Justin Timberlake. No, he's performing.
00:38:04:10 - 00:38:05:06
Rob Napoli
In front of.
00:38:05:08 - 00:38:09:12
Stefano Giussani
Private concert, justin timberlake It was amazing
00:38:09:14 - 00:38:20:18
Rob Napoli
So I will put your Instagram handle in the show notes. You can follow Stefano there also will link the company website so they can find you. Stefano thank you so much.
00:38:20:20 - 00:38:21:06
Stefano Giussani
Thank you very much.
00:38:21:06 - 00:38:34:05
Rob Napoli
And all those for listening out there or tuning in and watching. Thank you for listening and being a part of hospitable if you like it. Want to get more make sure we a tier one hit subscribe. Leave us a review. We appreciate you. It's all next time. Take care.