Details That Matter - Adrienne Scribner - Defining Hospitality
"If you don't know exactly who is going to do the work, it's probably you. You need to find that person."
Audio Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
In this episode, Dan sits down with Adrienne Scribner, principal and managing director of hospitality at Baskerville, to unpack what three decades in hotel design has taught her about the unglamorous work that actually makes projects succeed. They dig into why there is no "coordination fairy" waiting to catch your mistakes, how typing specs into a purchasing system in the early '90s built the foundation for her entire career, and why mentoring the next generation means being approachable rather than intimidating.
Takeaways:
There is no coordination fairy waiting to fix what falls through the cracks. If a task doesn’t have a clear owner, the job defaults back to you. Figuring that out early saves everyone from an expensive surprise later.
Skipping the model room might feel like a time saver, but it rarely is. It’s far cheaper to fix a problem on one lamp than to find the same issue in 300 rooms. That small upfront step gives ownership a real preview of what’s coming.
Great mentorship has less to do with authority and more to do with approachability. Walk your team through exactly how you solve a problem, but stay open to a faster or better way. People learn more when they feel safe asking questions instead of pretending they already know.
Brand standards bend more than most people assume, especially once you understand them well enough to have an actual conversation instead of just following a checklist. A clear reason and a good relationship can open doors that seem locked from the outside. Knowing the rules well enough to explain them beats knowing them well enough to just follow them.
Inspiration images and concept boards are a starting point, never the finished plan. What matters is understanding why a client likes something, then making it work given the budget, the building, and sometimes the sunlight needs of a hydrangea. Reality always gets a vote in the final design.
"Your reward for good work is more work." - Adrienne Scribner
Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.
Impact estimates vary by project. For the most up-to-date figures, please refer to the transcript
Connect with Adrienne:
Adrienne’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-scribner-265b045/
Company’s Website: https://www.baskervill.com/
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by BERMANFALK
Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/