"Staying on top of the game is difficult, we need creative minds at all times"
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Andy De Silva, the CEO of Hotel Emporium Inc. In this insightful conversation, we explore the journey and accomplishments of Andy De Silva and his company.
Andy De Silva, born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and now based in the United States, is the driving force behind Hotel Emporium Inc., a prominent manufacturer of hotel in-room products. With a global presence and a clientele of over 20,000 hotels, Hotel Emporium Inc. has established itself as a leader in the industry.
In the interview, Andy highlights the recent significant growth of the company, serving 8,000 new hotels. This remarkable achievement is credited to the dedicated teamwork, innovative product launches, and enhanced customer communication within the organization.
Moreover, Andy shares his insights on employee satisfaction and the ongoing shift in the business landscape. He reveals plans for the future, including the establishment of an innovation lab and the implementation of a digital transformation strategy to capitalize on the rising wave of online business.
Join us as we delve into the world of hospitality and gain valuable insights from Andy De Silva, a visionary CEO shaping the success of Hotel Emporium Inc.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Andy De Silva: My name is Andy De Silva, I was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and migrated to the U.S. in 1998. My company name is Hotel Emporium Inc. and was founded in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. We are direct manufacturers of hotel in-room products and serve about 20,000+ hotels globally.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Andy De Silva: In the past year, our company grew 250% by servicing about 8,000 new hotels.
This was an example of great team effort with the launching of new innovative products, tight customer communication, in a new organizational structure.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Andy De Silva: Ideas and products are very easily copied in this industry, so deploying fast and anticipating the next step is necessary.
Hotel Emporium Inc. is setting up an innovation lab next quarter that will welcome new ideas in the industry and invent new products.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Andy De Silva: Hotel Emporium is undergoing a digital transformation and implementing an online shopping experience. Following the pandemic, we structured the company to allow teams to work remotely.
In addition, I will be launching another company that will bring solutions to the remote job marketplace globally.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Andy De Silva: Technology and innovation evolves on a daily basis and has been a real part of our industry for the past 10 years. Staying on top of the game is difficult, we need creative minds at all times.
In addition, there is a big necessity for evolving towards more sustainable practices and creating eco-friendly products, which are difficult to source and invent.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Andy De Silva: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that no CEO can do it all alone. Recognizing your weaknesses and surrounding yourself with the right team is crucial for success. I’ve come to appreciate the value of hiring talented individuals who challenge me and bring unique perspectives to the table.
There was a time when I hesitated to hire an outstanding sales professional due to affordability concerns. However, I took the leap, and it turned out to be a game-changer. This decision not only boosted our sales threefold within five years but also filled my blind spots and strengthened our overall capabilities. Remember, investing in exceptional talent is an investment in the future of your company.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Andy De Silva: Although I am lucky to have a great team, it took me a few years to bring all these members together. I would have loved to have the superpower of finding the right candidates for the given jobs in one shot. It would definitely have saved a lot of time.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Andy De Silva for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Andy De Silva or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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