#277: Why (And How) This CEO Teaches Housekeepers to Read a P&L | Azim Saju & Josiah Mackenzie — The Modern Hotelier

In this special collaborative episode of The Modern Hotelier, recorded at the Hunter Conference with Josiah McKenzie of Hospitality Daily, we share a compelling conversation with Azim Saju, CEO of ARK Holdings.

Azim discusses his multi-faceted role in hospitality—from hotel ownership and third-party management to development, acquisitions, and renovations—and unpacks how culture, financial literacy, and technology are reshaping modern hotel operations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How ARK Holdings operates across management, acquisitions, development, and renovations
Why increasing financial literacy among frontline staff (including housekeepers and breakfast attendants) directly impacts hotel performance and valuation
How teaching team members, the “life cycle of a hotel” improves both business outcomes and personal financial well-being
The critical role of forecasting and labor modeling in driving profitability and long-term asset value
How culture and growth reinforce each other as a competitive advantage at ARK

This episode highlights a powerful shift in hospitality: moving from pure cost optimization toward education, empowerment, and long-term value creation.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qrF6xn9XJIA

Links:
Azim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azimsaju/
ARK Holdings: http://arkhospitality.com/

Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/277

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Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.