Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco Roca.
Marco, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always had a deep entrepreneurial spirit—even as a kid, I launched my first venture at nine years old with a dog-walking business, and truth be told, it remains one of my favorite jobs to this day! Throughout my life, there’s never been a moment without some side hustle, whether it was walking dogs, tutoring, or various other projects in the hospitality space as an adult.
After university, I embarked on a corporate journey, diving into finance through investment banking, consulting, corporate strategy, and business development. Each role taught me something crucial, but it was business development that truly captured my passion. BD brilliantly integrates finance, strategic consulting, and relationship-building, all aligning perfectly with my genuine curiosity about people and their unique stories.
Eventually, my entrepreneurial drive led me to launch Palindrome Hospitality in 2017, driven by a desire to reinvent consulting practices I’d grown frustrated with in the corporate world. Shortly thereafter, in 2019, my father and I co-founded Reveille Hospitality, blending his extensive experience with my entrepreneurial vision. Today, we proudly work with some of the top hospitality brands, manage multiple hotels and restaurants, advise prominent hotel investors, and are Co-GPs in a few hospitality developments.
Two pivotal, early-career experiences greatly shaped my path. The first was during college at an honors program in a Southern state school, competing for a coveted position at a top Wall Street bank. When my teammates dropped out the night before a critical presentation, I pulled an all-nighter, finished the project alone, and presented solo. The grit, willingness to put myself out there, and extreme accountability impressed the panel. I landed the role despite not winning the competition, reinforcing my belief in determination.
The second involved an iconic luxury hotel development in West Hollywood. Despite being young and relatively unknown, I convinced skeptical lenders to allow me to undertake a critical feasibility study. Completing it within a week and under budget, the project moved forward successfully, now standing as one of West Hollywood’s premier hospitality destinations. This experience taught me the importance of confidence, preparedness, and delivering exceptional results, regardless of age or experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Entrepreneurship is anything but smooth, and COVID-19 was particularly devastating for hospitality businesses. When travel essentially became illegal overnight, funding for projects like our ESA Premier Suites dried up instantly. Instead of retreating, I chose to double down. Amid uncertainty, we managed to raise $75 million over several years. Ironically, one of my greatest professional achievements closed in July 2022, just before interest rates skyrocketed by 500 basis points within a year, limiting our ability to actually deploy the raised equity. Yet, the experience profoundly reshaped my outlook, teaching me resilience and adaptability.
Interestingly, our decision to pivot during this crisis by offering contracted business development services to hospitality firms created another successful business line. It proved to me the truth that even the best-laid plans can shift unexpectedly, and sometimes the most significant opportunities arise organically from challenging situations.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Reveille Hospitality and Palindrome Hospitality?
Palindrome Hospitality is all about consulting: Asset management, feasibility, and management consulting. It delivers work product competitive with any top institution but delivers quicker and less expensively. Instead of a one size fits all approach, it can flex up or flex down what its reports and deliverables look like, depending on unique client tastes.
Reveille Hospitality is a hospitality business development agency, manager, and Co-GP in real estate developments. It takes Fortune 500 backgrounds and makes them accessible as your business partner.
What’s next?
Looking forward, I am incredibly excited about the growth trajectory of our hospitality agency. We’re achieving impressive results for our clients, and my goal is to continually elevate their global presence, maximizing their returns. Additionally, I’m passionate about managing hospitality assets directly, bringing our straightforward, no-frills approach to deliver unparalleled guest experiences and robust financial outcomes for owners. Given my deep connection to Los Angeles, I plan to continue splitting my time between LA and Miami, strengthening our presence in both vibrant cities. LA has provided countless opportunities and personal milestones, I have family members (including my own brother) there, and it is home at the end of the day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reveillehospitality.com/
- Other: https://palindromehospitality.com/
