Mike Wolkon and Rena Ogura created Night Inn with the goal of revolutionizing the hospitality business by bringing unique, on-demand experiences straight to customers’ doorsteps. The new Night Inn Platform encourages high-end hospitality professionals (“Experts”) to create exceptional private experiences for individuals and corporate groups alike by combining their skillsets, personalities and unique backgrounds with an innovative platform.
The mission of Night Inn, which was founded in New York City, is to “Bring Togetherness to You” by fostering a sense of community and connection for both its Experts (Sommeliers, Mixologists, and more) and consumers. Initially focused on wine tasting and cocktail mixing events (and facilitating over 250 live experiences across nearly 10,000 individuals), the company has lately expanded its platform to allow its specialists to create a broader range of one-of-a-kind experiences.
The idea for Night Inn was born when Rena, a Harvard Business School graduate and certified Sommelier, was leading a wine tasting and sushi making event for friends. Mike attended, and having spent his undergraduate program studying labor economics, quickly recognized that while consumers loved this type of Expert-led experience, most didn’t have the ability to connect with high-end hospitality talent. Inspired by their memorable experience, Mike and Rena decided to collaborate and establish a platform that would allow hospitality professionals to share their abilities with the world while simultaneously addressing some of the workforce concerns in the hospitality industry.
The Night Inn Platform
Night Inn debuted a pioneering self-service technology platform in April, allowing its high-end “Experts,” to build and offer their own unique customer experiences. This new platform enables Experts like Michelin-starred Sommeliers, top NYC mixologists, Chefs, and Certified Cicerones to display their abilities and interact directly with clients seeking exceptional, private experiences.
The platform offers Experts a number of tools and resources to assist them in designing and marketing their experiences, allowing them to grow their brands and portfolios. The platform then allows clients to choose from a vast array of experiences, ensuring they discover the best fit for their needs and interests
Moving the Hospitality Industry Forward
According to a poll commissioned by the NYC Mayor’s Office, nearly half of the city’s nightlife employees endure severe income unpredictability, with 58% working several jobs or relying on other income sources beyond their primary place of work. Night Inn’s platform allows these incredibly talented professionals to generate new income streams through private experiences while also building their personal brands and credentials. As the company expands, it intends to provide other monetization possibilities, such as brand collaborations and the ability to sell digital and physical products.
For food & beverage enthusiasts, traditional bars and restaurants do not necessarily provide the one-of-a-kind experiences and close connections that many customers seek. The Night Inn platform fills this void by allowing consumers to enjoy tailored, high-quality hospitality experiences from the comfort of their own homes or businesses. Night Inn’s platform caters to a wide range of consumer needs, from corporate groups wishing to upgrade their happy hours to small parties searching for a creative and cost-effective way to celebrate special occasions.
Growing the Night Inn Experience
Night Inn is focusing on expansion in a variety of areas with the launch of its new platform. Sushi making, cheese tasting, magic shows, floral workshops, and gaming nights are among the new experiences planned by the company. Night Inn also intends to expand its services to other major cities outside of NYC, broadening its reach and influence.
As Night Inn expands, it will provide its Experts with new tools and opportunities to connect with consumers, such as the ability to sell homemade products and provide services like wine cellar consultations. These new features will help Night Inn’s Experts grow their businesses and better serve their clients.
Finally, Night Inn is committed to providing a platform for historically underrepresented voices in the food and beverage sector. The platform showcases events that feature Black-owned, Female-owned, and other culturally significant groups, and the majority of its Experts are female or BIPOC. This dedication to diversity and inclusiveness is important to Night Inn’s mission and values of building a sense of connection and community while transforming the way people experience hospitality.
