From Real Estate to Hospitality: What we can learn from the podcast with Renato Butorazzo

Entrepreneurial versatility is an art – and Renato Butorac has mastered it. In our podcast "Founding Forward – It's Worth Being Cheeky!" he talked about how he built successful companies in the hospitality, hotel, and care sectors from his background in real estate. His recipe for success: real estate as the foundation, operational excellence as the driver of growth.

Real estate as a foundation for scalable business models

Renato pursues a clear strategy: Instead of simply investing in real estate, he uses it as a platform for long-term profitable business models. Whether serviced apartments, care facilities, or restaurants – each of his companies is directly linked to a real estate strategy.

This approach is also relevant for SESES DRINKS. If the company integrates physical locations, pop-up bars, or event spaces in the future, a strategic real estate approach could ensure long-term stability.

Efficiency as a success factor in the hospitality sector

With KalmStay, Renato has created a concept that challenges traditional hotel management. No reception, minimal staffing, and maximally digitized processes. The result: a highly efficient business model with low fixed costs and high scalability.

This demonstrates how important process optimization and lean structures are for expansion – also for SESES DRINKS. Automated ordering processes, digital sampling programs, and optimized logistics can make sales more efficient without diluting the brand.

Strategic growth through the right partnerships

Renato's success is based not only on smart business models, but also on the ability to find the right partners. Every collaboration brings complementary skills—not redundant ones.

For SESES DRINKS, this means that if expansion is planned – whether into retail, the restaurant industry, or digital channels – targeted partnerships are crucial. Co-branding with high-quality hospitality brands, collaborations with specialized distribution partners, or exclusive gastronomy collaborations could be valuable levers for sustainable growth.

Data-driven adaptation: The power of customer feedback

One of the keys to Renato's success is the continuous adaptation of his concepts based on customer needs. Whether serviced apartments or restaurants, the fine-tuning is done through direct feedback from guests.

This way of thinking can be directly applied to SESES DRINKS: Regular customer feedback should be actively incorporated into product development. This could be done through targeted tastings, surveys, or digital analysis tools to continuously improve the offering.

Clear decisions in difficult situations

A notable aspect of Renato's career is his handling of business separations. He decided to leave a company when strategic differences became insurmountable.

This demonstrates the importance of clear contracts, well-documented partnerships, and a long-term strategy. For SESES DRINKS, this means that new business relationships should always start with clear documentation and clear exit scenarios.

What we take away: The three most important learnings

• Using real estate as a strategic growth driver – A physical location can provide long-term stability.
• Increase efficiency through digital processes – optimized structures enable sustainable scaling.
• Select partnerships carefully – Complementary skills are crucial for long-term success.

Conclusion: Entrepreneurship requires foresight and courage

The conversation with Renato Butorazzo impressively demonstrated that smart entrepreneurship is not just about quick decisions, but also about strategic planning. Long-term thinking, data-driven adaptation, and strong partnerships are crucial for sustainable growth.

For SESES DRINKS, this means structured growth, thoughtful expansion, and continuous process optimization. Those who want long-term success must be bold—but always with a clear plan.