#223 - Hospitality Meets Michelle Moreno - Elbowing Leonardo Di Caprio

Episode Summary

In this sparkling episode of Hospitality Meets, I sit down with the unstoppable Michelle Moreno, founder of QAB Leadership (Is that really it's name Michelle?)

From accidentally elbowing Leonardo DiCaprio to fangirling over Sarah Jessica Parker in the dark, Michelle’s journey through hospitality is as wild, funny, and inspiring as it gets.

With a career that’s taken her from London’s hottest openings to Mykonos, India, and Mauritius, Michelle’s story is one of resilience, humour, and never taking herself too seriously. Along the way, she’s learned that imperfection is a superpower, leadership should be fun, and sometimes the best brand names are the ones people trip over.

Expect celebrity encounters, cultural adventures, brutal honesty, and some cracking wisdom on careers, confidence, and carving your own path.

Key Takeaways

• Imperfection = Strength – You don’t have to be polished to be powerful.
• Hospitality is Chaos & Magic – From elbowing Leo to opening 50+ restaurants, it’s never dull.
• Leadership with Laughter – Fun belongs in business; we’re a long time dead, so lighten up.
• Follow the Adventure – Careers aren’t linear; they zigzag through countries, cultures, and crises.
• Community is Everything – LinkedIn, kindness, and connection can change your career trajectory.

Memorable Quotes

• "When you say QAB quickly, it sounds like Crap Leadership. But hey, people remember it”
• "I elbowed Leonardo DiCaprio in the stomach. Not on purpose… just because I was shit”
• “Life isn’t about change, it’s about evolution”
• “We’re a long time dead, so let’s make leadership fun”
• “I met Sarah Jessica Parker… and made a tit of myself in front of Matthew Broderick two nights in a row”

Final Thoughts

Michelle’s story is a glorious reminder that success isn’t about straight lines or spotless CVs, it’s about saying yes, laughing at the chaos, and evolving along the way. From Nobu in Mykonos to “crap leadership” in London, her career proves that hospitality is a serious industry where fun, imperfection, and humanity always win.

Show Partners

A big shout out to Today’s show partner, RotaCloud, the people management platform for shift-based teams.

RotaCloud lets managers create and share rotas, record attendance, and manage annual leave in minutes — all from a single, web-based app.

It makes work simple for your team, too, allowing them to check their rotas, request holiday, and even pick up extra shifts straight from their phones.

Try RotaCloud’s time-saving tools today by heading to https://rotacloud.com/phil