Navigating the Hospitality Staffing Landscape

In a recent episode of "The Thoughtful Entrepreneur," host Josh delves into the intricacies of the hospitality staffing industry with Kathleen Hurtubise, the CEO and founder of Aloha Hospitality Professionals (Aloha HP). Based in Hawaii, Aloha HP specializes in staffing for the hospitality, light industrial, and administrative sectors. Kathleen shares her unique approach to recruitment, the importance of soft skills, and innovative strategies to connect job seekers with employers. This blog post will break down the key takeaways from their conversation, offering actionable advice for business leaders in the hospitality industry and beyond. Kathleen highlights the pressing need for workers in the hospitality industry, where many companies struggle to find qualified candidates despite a large pool of potential employees. One of the standout strategies discussed is the concept of "exposure ships." This innovative approach involves organizing events where high school seniors can volunteer and gain exposure to various businesses. For example, at a recent festival in Hawaii that attracted 70,000 attendees, Aloha HP coordinated hundreds of high school seniors to volunteer. This allowed students to showcase their work ethic and skills in real-time to potential employers, creating a unique opportunity for both parties. Kathleen emphasizes the importance of soft skills, which she refers to as "beingness." Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who not only possess the necessary technical skills but also demonstrate qualities such as integrity, teamwork, and a genuine care for their work. Aloha HP has developed a set of "ten golden rules of aloha" that guide their hiring process. These rules emphasize the importance of showing up on time, being a team player, and having a strong work ethic. Kathleen asserts that organizations often get what they tolerate. If they accept mediocrity, that is what they will receive. At Aloha HP, there is a strong emphasis on punctuality and accountability. Employees are expected to arrive 15 minutes early for their shifts, reinforcing the idea that showing up on time is a fundamental aspect of professionalism.

About Kathleen Hurtubise:

An innovative force in the staffing and events management industries, Kathleen Lin-Hurtubise is the founder & president of Gourmet Events Hawaii (GEH), an award-winning full-service production, catering, and event management company, and Aloha Hospitality Professionals (AlohaHP), the first full-service staffing agency in Hawai'i dedicated to temporary and permanent placements in hospitality, entry-level administration, and light industrial work, as well as day labor support for caterers, stadiums, and venues. As a businesswoman and yogini, Lin-Hurtubise is committed to providing #BestSelfThroughService, ensuring that the company’s temp team members are reliable and genuinely care about their work. Prior to founding GEH and AlohaHP, Lin-Hurtubise served as the Field Office Director in Massachusetts, Alaska, and finally Hawaii, where she recruited and developed thousands of staff who mobilized communities around environmental and consumer issues. She also served as the Hawaii Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She received her master’s degree in political science and government from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

2035 – Building a Culture of Excellence by Elevating Hospitality Staffing with Aloha HP’s Kathleen Hurtubise

The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

2035 – Building a Culture of Excellence by Elevating Hospitality Staffing with Aloha HP’s Kathleen Hurtubise