Doug George

Invited

• Leading adult tennis programming for Hasentree Country Club.

Head Professional, Racquet Sports Operations

Assistant to the Director of Racquet Sports - overseeing facilities operations, budgeting, programming and revenue operations for Hasentree Country Club; part of Invited Clubs.

Racquet Sports Professional

Athletic Move LLC

Athletic Move LLC provides private tennis instruction, coaching and hosts private events to high & ultra high net worth individuals across the Hamptons & LA markets. 

Supporting fewer clients with higher-quality training, and more robust client experience — focused on individual training, and group coaching using tech, & AI-enabled solutions, as well as organizing private estate parties, corporate meetings, events, mixers, and home-based charity events. 

Scaled, and expand into LA market, while simultaneously building AI / SaaS startup, Klothed. 

Clients from: Apollo Global Management • Conti Group • Goldman Sachs • J.P. Morgan • Morgan Stanley • Henry Schein • Tao Group Hospitality • MSG Entertainment Group • KLM Equities • Yale, Super Models and others of Celebrity-status.

Notable Achievements: 

• $0 -> 6-figures within first 12 months
• 100% organic, referral-based growth
• Zero customer acquisition costs  
• CNBC “Make It” Interviewee  
• Interviewed by Wharton Professor of Management, Matthew Bidwell for new book (release 2025) around startups and entrepreneurial pathways

Owner

Bold Metrics Inc.

Advisory Board Member

Life365

Life365 is a leading B2B SaaS remote patient care management solutions provider. Patients with various conditions, can access remote-care monitoring & self-care management, that results in more efficient outcomes. 

Responsibilities included supporting Life365’s business development, marketing and fundraising initiatives; supporting Life365’s Series A round and strategic partnerships. 
• Reported to Ryan Changcoco, VP of Government, Investor Relations & Stakeholder Engagement.

Strategic Advisor

Klothed

Developed by a UC Berkeley Professor of Computer Science, Klothed is a patent-pending SaaS platform enabling virtual clothing try-ons for consumers, using generative AI and machine learning. Shoppers could make informed decisions prior to purchasing, helping eliminate friction, improving conversion, while reducing emissions and textile waste. 

Following a $1,800,000 pre-seed raise, my responsibility was overseeing all business operations, GTM (go-to-market) strategy and strategic initiatives. 

Highlights: Developed our brand strategy, content, launched our closed beta, managed six-figure budgets, landed two strategic partnerships, and crafted investor decks that secured $1,200,000 in LOIs before our co-founders decided to exit.

Director, Business Development & Strategic Initiatives

HamptonsFit

HamptonsFit began as a B2C SaaS platform for on-demand sports & fitness training. Think: Uber for sports training in the Hamptons market. 

I wore several hats as a partner in a high-growth startup, including, supporting existing clients, sales development initiatives, driving account upsells, and operations initiatives.
• Increased revenue through business development initiatives, strategically entering the B2B market to support private clubs with amenity-based offerings
• Became one of the most recognizable mobile sports training startups after expanding across NYC, The Hamptons, and Greenwich markets; achieving a low 7-figure valuation. I exited April 2022 to launch my startup, Athletic Move.

Partner | Head of Business Development

HamptonsFit is a SaaS-enabled platform for in-person, private sports & fitness training. We help clients across the Hamptons, NY, save time through contactless, on-demand bookings, back-office management and physical sports training. 

• Reporting to the Founder & CEO, first full-time hire overseeing sales, BD & customer experience.

Business Development Manager

Estero Country Club

• Oversaw 40+ player Junior tennis program, with 2 part-time assistants. 
• Directed sales & revenue-generating activities through mixers, social programming, events and player sourcing. 
• Managed adult tennis programming & operations, league schedules for 16 teams across 6 leagues. 
• Oversaw clay court operations & facilities maintenance.

Head Tennis Professional

• Developed & operated 2nd largest junior program in SWFL. I revitalized the program from 4 kids to 42+ year-round kids across red, orange and yellow ball. 
• Developed 4 players who went on to compete in NCAA D-I, D-II and NAIA. 
• Facilitated weekly clinics for ladies, men’s and mixed doubles competitive teams 
• Conducted 52+ hrs of private instruction per week

Assistant Tennis Professional

Victoria's Secret

• Directed asset protection, operations & compliance across NYC, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island stores - managing 15+ 
• Instituted directives that coincided with district sales leadership, mitigating $200,000+ in operational losses.

Regional Manager, Asset Protection & Operations

Head of Asset Protection operations for Victoria’s Secret Global Flagship in Herald Square, NYC.

• 8 direct reports protecting company assets of the Global Flagship, comprised of 600+ employees, 30k daily visitors and $100M+ in annual revenue. 
• Mitigated external theft by 18% year over year during my tenure, increased internal theft investigations & successful closures by 26%

District Manager, Asset Protection & Investigations

Nordstrom

• Initiated complex investigations for 16 Nordstrom Full Line & Rack stores across the Northeast, stemming from internal theft, fraud, dishonesty, organized retail crime and supply chain losses. 
• Conducted 200+ investigations, closed 130 successful cases worth $260,000+, recovering $192,000 in losses & merchandise through restitution, and recognized as a top 5 investigator nationwide (of 84).

Corporate Investigator 

We Help Brands Attract the Right Customers | Partner & Head of Growth @ Verbatim | Marketing & Branding | Follow me as I talk about my real life journey across sales, development and business |

Thanks for stopping by! 



I’m Doug 👋

💥 A ‘traditional’ path ended after college. With many interests, I traveled different roads; realized the likes, dislikes, challenged myself to accomplish anything, and gained lifelong skills along the way, knowing I was never handed anything. 

💥 Building genuine relationships, learning new things, being challenged, connecting around business, real estate, investing, SaaS / tech, and  cool startups — all things that get me going professionally. 

💥 Tennis, book shops, local coffee shops, walking trails, perusing quaint towns & enjoying time with my partner and cat is sacred - watching movies and trying to emulate “Chopped” in the kitchen are a close second. 

👉🏼 Previous 5 years ⤵️ 


⭕️ 1000s of clients, multi-six figures in revenue for my own businesses 

⭕️ Partner, Head of Ops/BD in a Sports-tech startup (Think: Booxi or MindBody) in the Hamptons, reaching 7-figures (Exit) 

⭕️ Owner, Consultant & Director of Client Services for Athletic Move LLC - Built entirely through word-of-mouth and referrals, to six-figures 

⭕️ President / Director of Business Development & Operations for a SaaS startup focused on Generative AI, raised $1.8M, raised another ~$1M in LOIs before exiting. 

Currently ⤵️ 

✅ Head Professional, Racquet Sports Operations at Invited Clubs - The Hasentree Club 

What’s next ⤵️ 

👉🏼 I’m open to an AE, Account Manager, Customer Success role in a Pre-seed to Series B org, where I can lean into strengths of building successful relationships early and be part of the growth story. 

“When you put yourself out there, do the right thing, and work hard, good things happen.” 
    
New York-born ❤️ 
Florida-raised 🏄🏻‍♂️

Manager, Sales & Business Development

Oversee all aspects of B2B Wellness and Account Management services, B2C sales and expansion revenue. 

• 
• Lead generation, closing and nurturing new & existing accounts (generalist)

LondonHouse Chicago

As Director of Sales and Marketing, I instill a culture of high performance by providing consistent opportunities for growth, acknowledgement, and a vision for success the team can trust and follow. Responsible for leading all property level sales and marketing initiatives. Achieved our goal of being the most followed hotel in Chicago on Instagram, streamlined sales strategies and processes resulting in a 76% growth in year over year awarded RFP value, and ranked #1 in conversion within a comp set of eleven similar hotels.

Director of Sales and Marketing

Influencer Advisory Council – IAC

Advisor and Board Member

HSMAI Chicago Chapter

Our mission is to be the leading source for sales and marketing information, knowledge, business development, and networking for professionals in tourism, travel, and hospitality. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines, as well as connecting its members with customers.

VP of Sponsorships

The Dow Hotel Company

Responsible for marked increases in business travel, convention, corporate group and airline segments. Developed sales strategies to increase revenue and cultivate new business sources through analysis of reports, client interface, leverage of electronic media, and developmental meetings with Sales staff.

Complex Assistant Director of Sales - Embassy Suites & Doubletree Chicago O'Hare

Liberty Machinery Co.

In my Marketing and Business Development role, I helped clients with the liquidation of surplus machinery and industrial equipment. I also assisted clients in the procurement of used machinery through sales from inventory or brokerage.

Marketing and Business Development

Argyle Cut Stone

As Co-Owner, I was involved in every facet of operation in this 3rd generation owned business. My responsibilities included all accounting duties, all human resources duties, purchasing, marketing, sales, contract negotiations, field measurements and machine operations.

Co-Owner

Clear Creek Stone Company, Inc.

As Vice President of Finance and Operations, I was involved in every facet of running this limestone fabrication business. Responsibilities included accounting, human resources, purchasing, sales, union contract negotiations, and land and asset deals.

Vice President Of Finance And Operations

Renaissance Hotels

As Director of Business Travel, I was responsible for all transient preferred accounts, as well as attaining new group business from Fortune 500 companies. Surpassed 2005's inaugural year transient budget by 8%. In 2006, increased average daily rate of Preferred Accounts by 11% over the previous year. Created a highly successful contest and blog with over 500 qualified followers.

Director of Business Travel, Chicago O'Hare

Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center

Responsible for all transient preferred accounts as well as attaining new group business in the automotive, chemical, insurance and energy markets. Increased negotiated account revenue by over 30% two years in a row. Established a Loyalty Rate for small companies that other hotels would not sign on, servicing an underserved market niche that increased sales and boosted average daily rate.

Global Account Manager

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Responsible for building partnerships with potential preferred accounts while developing relationships with existing clientele. Integral role in supplying additional leads to the group sales team. Successfully procured accounts with Ameritech and Boeing worth over $700,000 annually.

Business Travel Sales Manager, Hotel Allegro

After 8 years of being out of the hospitality industry, I walked into a travel agency to the exclamation, "Hey! You're the Bingo Guy!" An email marketing campaign to drive sales from 8 years prior confirmed three things: 

•	The Power of Storytelling
•	The Power of Personal Branding
•	I Needed a Cooler Nickname

If you're looking to:

•	Develop creative paths to success
•	Find opportunities hiding in plain sight
•	Communicate strategic alternatives

Then let's chat!

In a world spinning with possibilities, I believe it's the genuine relationships we forge that make it go round.  And when you apply a bespoke touch to business – tailoring your sales, marketing, and personal brand to resonate with each individual – that's where the magic happens. 

Things I love talking shop about:

•	Customer service that's relationship-focused
•	Critical thinking & problem solving that gets to the root of the problem
•	Storytelling - Ask me about that bingo contest
•	Digital marketing & social media - CHDM certified!
•	Creative ideas & content development

Away from work I love spending time with my family, creating art, playing golf, and rooting for the Cubs and Bears. Additionally, I support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Please message me if you’d like to share your story or need help in reaching your goals.

Don Barnett

Is this a great book about hospitality?
Or the 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 book about hospitality?

If you’re in hotels, restaurants, or 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯, this book should be required reading. Twice.

A few of my favorite takeaways:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
A guest mentions they didn’t get to try a real New York hot dog. So the team 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 runs out to get one, plates it like fine dining, and delivers it tableside. It cost them $2. It bought them a 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵.

𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹.
At Eleven Madison Park, “Dreamweavers” are team members whose job is to create magical, personalized moments for guests. Think human surprise & delight factory. Hospitality teams need fewer policies, more Dreamweavers.

𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 ≠ 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. 
Service is giving someone what they asked for. Hospitality is making them feel seen. Big difference. Huge impact.

This book isn’t just for people in hotels or restaurants. It’s for anyone who wants to turn transactional moments into transformational ones.

Creative Solutions for Hospitality Success | Director of Sales & Marketing at LondonHouse Chicago | Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer

🎆 1 post. 1.2 million views.  And suddenly our NYE ticket sales aren't just strong, they're 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨. 💥
 
Our social media manager posted this organically. 
No paid ads. 
No gimmicks. 
Just a killer view, a well-dressed crowd, and a moment people 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to be part of.
 
We're on the cusp of 2026 and there are still hotels not on social media.

At this point, it’s like they're refusing electricity because candlelight seems to suffice.
 
People can’t book what they can’t see.

Every year, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Stars of the Industry event is a wonderful showcase of some of the best in hospitality. Not to mention the opportunity to catch up with friends.

I personally nominated Lydia Czyszczon. Her passion for helping planners with their events, attention to detail, and incredible work ethic inspire me. I'm truly grateful to have her as a colleague and friend.

It's always a pleasure seeing Michael Jacobson. Michael, you'll have to tell me what became of your bicycle situation!

IRL meet-ups for the win! Joyce (Barabicho) Mateo and I met a few years back on LinkedIn but never in person... until now. So great to finally meet, Joyce!

Another friendship I cherish is with Yessica Bran. We worked together briefly but have stayed in touch and it brings me such joy to see her progress in her career. 

Finally, what a pleasant surprise to see 🍍Christine Trippi. The way she lights up when she sees you makes you feel like a million bucks. Her hospitality IQ is off the charts.

Congrats to all of the nominees and winners!
#IHLA2025

Dragging out the Christmas lights, ready to channel my inner Clark Griswold, and my daughter hits me with: “Dad, you’re 50. Maybe ladders aren’t your thing anymore?”
 
Fast forward to me, 20 feet up, gripping the gutter like it owes me money, thinking: “𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.”
 
This got me thinking that there’s wisdom in doing a pre-check before diving into 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. Ladders, projects, meetings, you name it.
 
Here’s my new rule-of-thumb:  

✅ Am I physically or mentally up to this?
✅ Is it fear or excitement I’m feeling?
✅ Should I ask for help?
✅ Is it still worth doing? (If it brings joy, hell yes.)
 
Whether you’re decking the halls or tackling a sales action plan, take inventory. Are you ready to do this?

Hotel Salespeople when that 7pm reception wants to set-up at noon and kill the ballroom for the whole day...

Sales is asking someone out on a date.
Marketing is why they say yes.

Social media is why they say yes.
Utilizing influencers is why they say yes.
Investing in your personal brand is why they say yes.

Reach out if you want to hear about some receipts.
Speaking of which, how you doin'?

Have you ever seen something so bad, it's good?
Probably not the best strategy for your hotel's marketing.
But wig caps? I'm hair for it.

Even though Halloween was over weeks ago, I saved this.

1. Because it makes me laugh. The model for this looks like she lost a bet.
2. To illustrate the importance of hiring the right people to market your business.

The hotel version of this I see most often are the "agencies" that will handle your social media at prices much lower than others. There's a reason for that:

• The content consists of pictures of the hotel pulled from the website, stock photos, and pictures of things to do in your city.
• ZERO video
• ZERO onsite content creation
• Little to no analytics

This is a strategy that just checks a box versus actually creating a community, staying top of mind, and driving bookings.

One size does not fit all. That only works with wig caps.

You're on LinkedIn? It's Thanksgiving. Go eat. Go.

Hotel Sales PSA: Where the ______ are you? 
Here's a simple fix to make you more discoverable with potential clients... 
 
Way too often, I stumble upon a LinkedIn profile headline that reads, "Sales Manager, ___________ Hospitality Management". 
 
Great, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳?
Is your management company even in the same city as you?  
 
📍 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲.  
 
Update your headline, and while you're in there update your contact info with your work email instead of your personal email. 
 
"Efficiency is doing things right;  
Effectiveness is doing the right things." 
- Peter Drucker

How do you know your reputation proceeds you?
Without searching, guessing or meeting, people say...
"Let's call ___________."

Not because you post motivational quotes in bold font.
It's because you have a reputation of:

💡 Solving Problems / Getting $%&@ Done 💡

That's the power of a strong personal brand. People trust you, they remember you, and they instinctively reach for their phone when a need arises.

Who is the first person you think of when you need a problem solved?

When you can directly attribute revenue and opportunities to your personal brand, this lyric resonates even more.

When 5 to 10 people pitch to you daily, how does Don Hoteleone know which one to work with?

The answer is simple - none.

I only work with or take advice from people I know and trust.

People like:
Cory Falter 
Susan Tucker 
John Carpenter
Christine Malfair 
Frank Rekas, CPFA 

And the amazing thing they all have in common? I met them all on LinkedIn.

Content leads to comments.
Comments lead to messages.
Messages lead to calls.

Relationships and friendships formed.
Business conducted.
Referrals made.

LinkedIn isn't a networking underworld. It's right here waiting for you to join in.

Unless your hotel is haunted, your TV probably isn't reaching out to guests for a conversation.

But when it comes to actual two-way conversations with your audience?  You’ve got 𝘸𝘢𝘺 better options:
 
💬 Social Media  💬 Email Marketing 
💬 Events / Workshops / Webinars
 
These channels let you listen, learn, and 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 respond (no Ouija board required).
 
Marketing doesn’t need to be spooky.  Just smart, social, and not as paranormal. 👻📺

taplio

The Battle

Doug George

Don Barnett

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taplio

The Battle

Doug George

Don Barnett

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Don Barnett's LinkedIn Performance

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