Special Guest: Barbara E. Newbern

1)  Share info about you, where you are from originally and where you are now, and what you do.

I’m Barbara E. Newbern, the visionary founder behind Beyond Expectations Hospitality Solutions. Transplanted from the St. Louis Metro Area to Atlanta over a decade ago, I have established myself as a pivotal force in hospitality transformation. As a Certified Business & Entrepreneurship Coach, I partner with hospitality owners and managers to revolutionize their customer experience strategies through targeted virtual coaching and innovative SaaS solutions. My expertise bridges the gap between traditional hospitality values and modern technological implementation, creating measurable improvements for establishments ready to exceed guest expectations.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

2)  What have you overcome?  Share a little about your topic. 

Among life's many hurdles, nothing challenged me quite like battling feelings of not being good enough and the awkwardness I felt in social situations. Growing up, I wasn't part of the "popular crew" and making friends didn't come naturally. I fell into the trap of pretending to be someone else just to fit in. Deep down, I worried that being my authentic self would either push people away or make me a target for criticism—fears that stemmed from painful experiences with classmates.

This social discomfort didn't magically disappear when I became an adult—it actually shaped my early job choices. I started working in fast-food and restaurants but dreaded every customer interaction. Looking for an escape from these face-to-face conversations, I switched to phone-based customer service. While not having to see customers helped somewhat, I still struggled whenever conversations went off-script. I lacked the natural warmth, self-assurance, and people skills needed to handle challenging situations with customers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

3)  How did you know you needed to change? 

My turning point came when I took the leap to start my own business. To keep money coming in during this transition, I left my job and began driving for a rideshare company. The reality hit me right away—my income was directly tied to how well I connected with people. My tips depended on whether my passengers enjoyed their time with me and if we clicked during those short rides. I remember thinking, "If I can't even connect with someone during a car ride, how will I ever succeed with clients in my business?" That's when I knew I needed to transform how I approached relationships.

Instead of seeing this as another hurdle, I viewed it as the perfect training ground—a chance to reinvent myself while earning. Each passenger became an opportunity to practice being more authentic and engaging. These weren't just rides; they were mini-coaching sessions where I was both the student and the teacher. I pushed myself to start conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and actually listen to the answers. The immediate response to how people interacted with me was exactly the motivation I needed to keep growing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

4)  What steps did you take to implement change?

I didn't just read self-help books or watch motivational videos—I turned my daily rideshare experiences into a personal laboratory for growth. After numerous conversations and plenty of awkward moments, I identified three game-changers that were holding me back: my shaky self-confidence, my struggle to find common ground with others, and my exhausting habit of measuring myself against everyone I met.

Working on these three areas completely shifted my interactions. Instead of entering conversations feeling like I needed to impress or perform, I started approaching people with genuine curiosity. Rather than thinking, "Do they like me?" I focused on "What can we learn from each other?" The results were immediate and tangible—not just in better tips, but in the quality of conversations that unfolded in my backseat.

Suddenly, I found myself having meaningful exchanges with all kinds of people—from stressed-out college students to corporate executives. What surprised me most was connecting with successful professionals who would normally intimidate me. These weren't just polite chats to fill the silence—they were genuine connections where both parties wanted to continue the relationship. People started asking to follow me on social media or would hand me their business cards saying, "Let's keep in touch."

The biggest revelation wasn't about techniques or conversation starters—it was realizing that my authentic self was actually my greatest asset. All those years of trying to be someone else had only created a barrier between me and genuine connection. When I finally dropped the act and showed up as myself—imperfections, unique perspectives, and all—doors began opening that I never knew existed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

5)  What encouraging words can you leave for the readers.

Embracing your authentic self—quirks and all—creates the confidence that naturally draws others to you. The moment you release the exhausting effort of being someone else is the moment people begin responding to the genuine you—and that authentic connection is what everyone is truly looking for.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

6)  What is your favorite quote?

 "Don't try to lessen yourself for the world; let the world catch up to you." - Beyoncé

7)  Provide the best ways to contact you.

 www.tiny.cc/BEXHS

Barbara E. Newbern, Founder of Beyond Expectations Hospitality Solutions, offers specialized coaching that draws from her decade-plus experience in customer service and hospitality. With educational credentials from IHG, FAU, Cornell University, and various professional development programs, she combines her journey from service roles to entrepreneurship to deliver tailored solutions for businesses seeking to enhance their customer experience. Her approach integrates customer care, strategic thinking, and practical implementation, making her valuable to both startups establishing service cultures and established businesses refreshing their customer approach.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Victorious Living Culture hopes you enjoyed learning about our guest Barbara E. Newbern. If you would like to nominate someone to be a special guest, contact noreen@victoriouslivingculture.com