Tulsee Nathu

Meditate, breathe, take interest, and create movement.

 

Tulsee Nathu is like a chameleon. She is from two vastly different states with opposite political views that share immense economic prosperity. She attended seven different schools before graduating high school with completely different economic and racial backgrounds. She jumps from one morning meeting with Asian American Hotel Owners Association as an ambassador and Women’s committee member full of older businesswomen to volunteering by evening with Girls Inc., judging scholarship essays for young high school ladies.

From a young age, Tulsee Nathu knew she wanted a career in hospitality. Coming from the legendary Gujarati immigrant family tale of entering mom and pop hotels to make a living and hurdle-overcoming parents, she knew where she wanted to be. In her early roles during high school, she would take up front desk at her parent’s independent hotels and a Hampton Inn, getting her first exposure into brand training then in sales administration. During college, every Summer was spent at the hotels learning other facets of the business. She made sure her education was focused on more technical aspects such as finance, marketing, and economics.

Today, Tulsee Nathu still works with the family as the Hilton & Marriott Revenue Manager leader and Research & Development Associate, while also working for Marcus & Millichap’s Hospitality Sales Agent, and Tumbleweed, where she consults as needed. Her work in Revenue Management has led to company record breaking numbers. With Marcus & Millichap, she was exposed to trading, underwriting, growing her network, and essentially used the platform to better educate minority hoteliers of different methods to looking at assets to improve their current models. Lastly, Tumbleweed, the recent outcome of other business needs, led her to create a consulting platform.

Where did the idea for Tumbleweed come from?

Growing up in West Texas, it is flat, windy, and full of tumbleweeds blowing across during season changes. It just kind of stuck with me as a reminder of my roots and was catchy.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

The most important parts of my typical day are the morning and evening routine. Each day starts at 4:15 a.m., OrangeTheory or CorePower Yoga at 5 a.m., juicing at home, get ready, meditation and start the work day by 7:30 a.m. Each day will have its routine conference calls, mid-day break, then by evening, it’s about eating an early dinner, winding down, journaling, and reviewing the plan of action for the next day. I refer to the plan as the “bread of the sandwich” because it’s what makes my days filling as productive and efficient as I possibly can right now.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I write them down or make a note in my phone. If it continues to resonate, I keep repeating and start adding to those notes such as: Plan of Action, Needs, Budget, etc. I let my energy steam the idea so that I am not overworking myself towards something that I lose heart in. That just developed in me as a person over the last two years.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Pushing the needle on betterment. The desire of all ages to genuinely want to do and be better. Whether it’s in health, career, family, community, personally, etc. Any great intention resonates and multiplies around you. I am seeing this throughout the podcast, documentary, fitness, meditation, yoga, government’s push for mental health, and many other communities. It’s exciting!

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I think it is a domino effect. Fitness has played a huge role in increasing my day’s energy and stamina; but if I eat poor or sleep poorly, I will be energy poor.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Meditate, breathe, take interest, and create movement.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Probably when it comes to politics. I think picking sides is juvenile at this point where so many are educated or have access to better judgement than ever before. This last term has created a bigger divide than ever before, causing elected officials to pick sides to move agendas across the board and the citizens to follow suit. We are better than this. It’s time to do something different for a different outcome.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Continued education. Keep learning, reading, podcasting, joining organizations, pushing yourself into new adventures. Put yourself in other people’s shoes to not only understand your consumer or staff, but also maintain compassion for the path others are on and hopefully, others will also do the same unto you.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

My genuine and unrelenting interest to do better and my network knowing it. My work is a constant topic of discussion because I love the input from others. Where things can be improved, how the mindsets are changing, or even plug-ins from people smarter than me to save me the learning curve.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Jumping into a new market without understanding its personality. Biggest growth as well. I slowed down, went into research phase until I was comfortable and making sure the partnership of a community and business made sense. Has to be a win-win for everyone involved.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

A good friend of mine and I have been working on a spice box. With our love for ethnic food, culture in organic spices, and movement for better food for our bodies, we are so excited to bring our food passions to everyone’s kitchen!

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Workout clothes. I spend around that much for my yoga leggings and matching sports bra set. It makes me feel good about working out and helps push myself further.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Google. Using their Gmail, calendar, drive, similar “word” application is all really helpful in getting my work done.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Triumph of the City. I love to know history, where it all began, what our ancestors did that worked…and did not work. This book brings a lot of great cities of different nations as cases. The rise and fall. The cultures. The landscape. The catalyst ideas. The lack of.

What is your favorite quote?

“Attitude of Servitude” Not sure who said it, but I love it. Keeps me in the right mindset that I am in service of others.

Key Learnings:

• Keep learning.
• Find balance.
• Take ownership.

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