Today we’d like to introduce you to John Mathew.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Negombo, Sri Lanka — a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, bustling restaurants, and world-class hotels. Tourism was the heartbeat of the city. Every day, I watched visitors from around the world arrive to experience the warmth, elegance, and effortless hospitality that defined the region.
Even as a child, I was captivated by the glamour of hotel lobbies, the precision of service, and the way great hospitality could transform a person’s entire day. That early exposure shaped a lifelong fascination with the industry and planted the seed for my future career.
After finishing school, I moved to the United States to pursue my college education, graduating from Oral Roberts University. I was ready to step into a management role immediately, but like many in the hospitality world, I learned that experience is the true foundation of leadership. So, I started where many successful operators start — at the ground level.
My first job was with a well-known pizza chain in Oklahoma. The pace was fast, the demand was high, and I loved every minute of it. It was a crash course in real-world operations: staffing, scheduling, customer service, inventory, and the urgency of day-to-day restaurant life. That experience sharpened my work ethic and fueled my passion for building and managing teams.
I quickly moved up through the ranks to become a store manager — a role that expanded my responsibilities and exposed me to the challenges of high-volume food and beverage operations. From there, my journey took me into increasingly complex restaurant environments and eventually into hotels, where I found myself back in the world that first inspired me as a child.
Those years working across multiple restaurants and hotel operations gave me a 360-degree understanding of the hospitality ecosystem — from front-line service and staff development to financial oversight, guest experience, and executive leadership. It’s that hands-on foundation that shapes the recruiting, consulting, and property-management work I do today.
My mission is simple: to help hospitality businesses stabilize, grow, and thrive — not by one‑size‑fits‑all solutions, but through tailored strategies based on real industry know‑how.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the greatest turning points in my career came when I transitioned from being the Director of Hotel Operations with Marriott to becoming a restaurant owner. Moving from a corporate structure to full ownership was exhilarating—and humbling. Overnight, I went from managing departments and leading teams to learning the realities of entrepreneurship: staffing every shift, watching every expense, building a brand, and carrying the full weight of the business on my shoulders.
Owning my restaurant taught me lessons that no corporate handbook ever could. It was challenging, rewarding, and transformative. After years of operating, it successfully, I made the difficult decision to sell the business when life took me to Switzerland. That season abroad became a defining chapter in my life.
It was in Switzerland, in 2014, that John Mathew Consulting was born. What started as a simple vision—using my operational experience to help businesses succeed—began to take shape as a real consulting practice. I worked with companies navigating expansions, restructuring, and operational challenges, and I found tremendous fulfillment in helping them build stability and growth.
After returning to the U.S., I stepped back into hotel leadership, taking on a role as Rooms Operations Manager, then a role as Senior Food and Beverage Manager and finally taking on one of the most rewarding roles of my career: General Manager of a 320-room hotel with 14000 SQFT and 180 employees. I loved the energy, the pressure, the people, and the daily sense of purpose that came with managing such a large, complex operation. But just before the pandemic, another shift in my journey occurred—I left the position and leaned once again on the foundation I had built years earlier.
As the world shut down and hospitality faced unprecedented disruption, I revitalized John Mathew Consulting and expanded into recruiting by purchasing a Patrice & Associates franchise. It was a leap of faith during uncertain times, but I knew the industry needed strong leaders and stable teams more than ever. Recruiting and consulting in today’s world, however, is not what it was a decade ago. The landscape is ever-changing—workforce preferences have shifted, talent pools look different, and employers face new challenges that require constant adaptation.
After much thought, prayer, and clarity, I recently made one of the hardest decisions of my career:
to sell my recruiting business and fully direct my focus toward property management and the continued growth of my consulting firm.
It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary. And I believe deeply that it was guided.
Through every transition—from Sri Lanka to America, from corporate to entrepreneurship, from hotel leadership to global consulting—one thing has remained constant: God’s hand has been upon my life. The path has not always been smooth. I have scars—professional and personal—to prove it. But every setback became a setup for what came next. Every closed door led to the right opportunity. Every risk brought growth.
Today, as I expand further into property management while continuing to build John Mathew Consulting, I carry with me the lessons, experiences, and resilience forged over decades in hospitality. My story is not one of perfect steps—it is one of perseverance, faith, and the unwavering belief that we are guided toward the places we are meant to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At John Mathew Consulting, we work with hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses — from start-ups to established operations — helping them develop strong concepts, design thoughtful menus, shape inviting interior experiences, and implement marketing and guest loyalty strategies that align with today’s market demands. We also provide property management support, ensuring hospitality assets are professionally operated, maintained, and positioned for long-term performance.
For companies undergoing transitions — merging, restructuring, scaling up, or preparing for sale — we offer “plug and play” consulting services: operational realignment, staff training, process redesign, and exit or buy strategy advisory. This helps owners protect their brand’s legacy, stabilize operations, and maximize value.
We also support full lifecycle development: from land acquisition and construction to setup of IT infrastructure, property management, and operational oversight — ensuring new hotels or restaurants go live with strong foundations and have a roadmap for long-term success.
In today’s hospitality environment, building or acquiring property is only the beginning. Long-term success demands ongoing attention to maintenance, guest experience, and operational efficiency. That’s why our services include property management support — sourcing experienced property managers and hospitality professionals who understand the unique demands of hotels, restaurants, and hospitality venues.
By combining recruitment, consulting, and property management under one roof, we help clients reduce risk, control operational costs, and maximize guest satisfaction and retention — protecting their investment and supporting sustainable growth.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Why Clients Choose Us — The Differentiators Behind Our Success
• Deep Industry Credibility & Experience – With over two decades of hands on work in hotels and restaurants, our insight isn’t theoretical. We’ve lived through the challenges and understood the realities at every level.
• Holistic Approach – Whether you need a reliable executive recruit, a full-scale restaurant or hotel concept, operational consulting, or property management — we offer integrated solutions tailored to your business goals.
• Talent That Lasts – We prioritize “quality hires” — not just filling seats, but building teams with cultural alignment, adaptability, and long-term potential.
• Flexibility & Customization – No cookie cutter packages. Our consulting and recruiting services scale to suit startups, growing businesses, or large enterprises — and adjust as your needs evolve.
• Commitment to Client Success – We treat every client as a partner. From free initial consultations to ongoing support through transitions, we prioritize trust, communication, and measurable results.
The hospitality landscape is evolving fast: guest expectations, technology, competition, and markets are shifting dramatically. At John Mathew Consulting, we believe success in this new era depends on agility, data-informed decisions, and a people-first mindset.
Pricing:
- Pricing will depend on the type of challenge/s, length, and complexity of the project we are taking on. First consultation is always free.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnmathewconsulting.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmathewconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnMathewConsulting
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mathew-cgm-cpar-a252816/
Image Credits
Photos taken by Aiden Mathew
