Jeff Bowes, Founder, President, and CEO of Upkeeply, brings over 40 years of expertise to the hospitality industry, specializing in client success, sales, hotel operation consulting, and software innovation. Through his leadership, Upkeeply is transforming hotel operations, enhancing team collaboration, and elevating guest experiences with cutting-edge SaaS solutions. Known for his commitment to exceptional customer service and strategic relationship-building, Jeff is dedicated to helping hotels reach new heights of performance, efficiency, productivity, and profitability. His journey, marked by resilience and innovation, continues to inspire the hospitality world.

Can you share a short summary of your background for the article?

Founder, President, and CEO of Upkeeply, a dynamic force in the hospitality industry with over 40 years of expertise spanning client success, sales, hotel operation consulting, and software innovation. Under my leadership, Upkeeply is transforming hotel operations, empowering teams to work seamlessly and elevate guest experiences through cutting-edge SaaS solutions. Known for my dedication to exceptional customer service and strategic relationship-building, I am committed to helping hotels achieve new heights of performance, efficiency, productivity, and, of course, profitability.

Before you ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, what were your deepest passions and most cherished interests? What captivated your imagination, ignited your curiosity, or simply brought you joy?

Before stepping into entrepreneurship, my passions were shaped by a genuine curiosity for human connections and the power of relationships. I was always captivated by what makes people tick, and I found joy in learning how a strong connection could transform both personal and professional relationships. Travel and exploration were huge for me, as they opened up diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas that I wanted to bring into my work. I also had a deep interest in problem-solving—there was something endlessly satisfying about figuring out how to make things work better. Whether it was streamlining a process, improving a system, or making someone’s life a little easier, I loved the challenge. Additionally, I was drawn to the ways technology could enhance the hospitality experience, and I remember being inspired by early innovations that made the industry more efficient and guest-centric. Overall, I think these interests laid the groundwork for my approach with Upkeeply, blending a passion for customer care with a drive to create solutions that help people and businesses thrive.

How do you stay connected with your customers and gather feedback? What channels do you use to communicate with them, and how do you ensure that their voices are heard?

Staying connected with customers and gathering feedback is a cornerstone of my approach at Upkeeply. I prioritize open, two-way communication channels to ensure we stay in tune with their evolving needs and challenges. Some ways we make that happen are:

• Direct Communication: I make it a point to reach out personally to clients. Whether through regular check-in calls, video meetings, or in-person visits when possible, I find these direct conversations invaluable for building trust and truly understanding what’s working and what can be improved.
• Surveys and NPS Scores: Regularly, we deploy customer satisfaction surveys and Net Promoter Score (NPS) assessments. This helps us gauge overall satisfaction and identify trends in customer sentiment, which are invaluable for strategic planning.
• Listening Forums and Webinars: I often hold webinars or Q&A sessions to share updates and industry insights, but more importantly, to listen to our customers. These forums give clients a platform to share openly and exchange ideas with each other.

By combining these channels, we create a 360-degree view of customer needs, which allows us to adapt quickly and continuously enhance Upkeeply. Making sure that customers feel heard and see their feedback lead to meaningful changes is essential to building long-term relationships and refining our offerings.

Looking back on your journey, what moments or milestones stand out as the most significant achievements in your career

Honestly, still being here and standing is probably one of my biggest achievements. I have been through so many difficult challenges, both personally and professionally, in the last 3-5 years that sometimes I amaze myself. Taking the jump to begin this journey in the midst of a pandemic also took a lot of courage—and a little bit of crazy.

How do you stay updated with the ever-evolving marketing landscape

• Industry Publications and Thought Leaders: I regularly read key industry publications like hospitalitynet.org and lodgingmagazine.com, which provide insights into new trends, tools, and strategies. I also follow thought leaders on platforms like LinkedIn to see what’s shaping the future of marketing, from emerging tech to shifting consumer behaviors.
• Conferences and Webinars: Attending marketing and hospitality conferences, both virtually and in person, is essential. Events like the HITEC Conference and webinars hosted by SaaS leaders help me gain insights into the latest tactics and tools specific to our industry. These gatherings also allow me to hear firsthand about strategies that are working for other leaders.
• Networking and Peer Groups: I’m part of several hospitality and SaaS-focused networks where professionals exchange ideas, share challenges, and talk about what’s working in real time. These conversations keep me grounded in the practical side of marketing—what’s actually delivering results and resonating with clients today.

Continuous Learning: I set aside time for ongoing learning, such as taking online courses or certifications in digital marketing and analytics. Courses from Google Analytics, HubSpot, and LinkedIn are especially useful for diving deep into areas like data-driven marketing, customer segmentation, and campaign performance.

What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back in time

Save more money.

What are your favourite resources as an entrepreneur

Podcasts

Online Communities

Newsletters and Blogs

Tools for Productivity and Learning

Mentors and Advisors

Name 3 skills that you would want to learn and leverage to amplify your brand’s presence in the marketing world

Cutthroat Salesperson

More Advanced Financial Literacy

Coding and Basic Software Development

 Social media links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbowes/

Website: https://upkeeply.com/

LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upkeeply