In the world of luxury hospitality and private membership experiences, success often comes down to one thing: relationships.
Whether you’re brokering a deal for a branded residence, expanding a marina portfolio, or launching a private jet club, the people you surround yourself with—and how you treat them—will determine how far you go. In this business, introductions become investments, and handshakes often lead to million-dollar ventures.
But networking isn’t a numbers game. It’s not about collecting business cards or padding your social feed. True networking is a discipline of connection—intentional, generous, and strategic.
Some of history’s greatest leaders understood this long before digital tools made it convenient. Their methods may have been old-school, but their principles are timeless—and still highly relevant whether you’re building a resort brand, launching a jet program, or curating high-touch member experiences across land, sea, and air.
Let’s unpack what their legacy can teach us in today’s hospitality and luxury space.
Benjamin Franklin: Create Circles of Influence
In 1727, Franklin started the Junto Club—a mastermind-style group of tradesmen, merchants, and thinkers who met weekly to exchange insights and improve themselves and their city. Out of that small group came the first public library, volunteer fire departments, and civic innovation.
Modern lesson: Build your own private “Junto.” Invite a trusted circle of developers, real estate brokers, aviation partners, yacht charter managers, and hospitality leaders. Make it regular. Make it meaningful. Some of your best innovation will come from shared insight, not isolation.
Oprah Winfrey: Shine the Spotlight on Others
Oprah built her media empire by elevating others—authors, experts, and changemakers. Her ability to make others feel seen created trust that spanned decades and industries.
Modern lesson: Whether you’re launching a members-only resort, selling fractional yacht shares, or onboarding a new aviation concierge—make others the hero. Feature your chefs. Highlight your pilots. Tell the story of your members. Shine light on your ecosystem, and your brand becomes magnetic.
Dale Carnegie: Lead with Curiosity and Care
Carnegie’s classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People, still resonates because it teaches something we often overlook in dealmaking: people want to feel important.
Modern lesson: Hospitality begins with attention. Remembering a top member’s wine preference, a buyer’s child’s name, or a yacht owner’s preferred itinerary isn’t fluff—it’s strategy. In the luxury world, personalization is the product. Care earns loyalty faster than any sales deck.
Richard Branson: Be Bold, Be Human
Branson doesn’t wait for introductions—he makes them. He doesn’t posture—he connects. His energy, approachability, and authenticity have built one of the most diverse brand portfolios in the world, from airlines to private islands.
Modern lesson: Be bold enough to initiate the conversation—and human enough to sustain it. Whether you’re at ILTM, GNEX, or FLIBS, don’t cling to comfort zones. Sit with strangers. Ask questions. Follow up with value. The bold, curious voice often gets remembered—and invited back.
Reid Hoffman: Build Ecosystems, Not Just Contacts
As co-founder of LinkedIn, Hoffman understood that it’s not just who you know—it’s how your network interacts. His brilliance lies in connecting people who can create value for each other, even when he’s not in the room.
Modern lesson: Become the bridge. Introduce a private equity partner to a resort architect. Connect a yacht broker with your aviation affiliate. Help a club developer meet the perfect tech platform for member engagement. When you make valuable introductions, your network becomes your brand.
Howard Schultz: Make Every Interaction a Moment
As the visionary behind Starbucks’ global success, Schultz believed every café should be a “third place”—not just a retail outlet, but a relationship hub. From barista training to layout design, every detail supported emotional connection.
Modern lesson: Whether it’s a check-in call from your owner relations team or the welcome moment when a member boards your jet, the details matter. Your clients don’t just want luxury—they want to feel known, remembered, and prioritized. If you’re building a brand on access and exclusivity, that starts with consistent personalization.
Bringing It All Together
In private hospitality, branded real estate, and high-end memberships, networking is not a soft skill—it’s a core strategy.
The best partnerships are born from shared values, not just aligned business models. The best investors come through warm intros, not cold outreach. And the best members stay not because of the perks, but because of how you make them feel.
Whether you’re launching a new destination club, curating reciprocal yacht access, or building a global aviation brand—start with people. Be generous with your attention. Follow up with intent. And most importantly, show up with curiosity and care.
Because the most successful people in luxury don’t just close deals—they open doors.
Michael S. Finn is an award-winning entrepreneur, author of The Lil’ Black Book of Networking, and Chief Development Officer of The BluWater® Group. He specializes in elevating lifestyle-driven brands across private aviation, curated travel, real estate, and club membership. Learn more at www.bluwater.com.
