Michael Schwartz

CEO & Lead Design, Forward Hospitality Group

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, Bowling Green State University

How I Approach My Day: I focus on the handful of decisions and actions that can make the biggest difference rather than getting buried in busy work.

What Success Looks Like to Me: Success is having a healthy balance between family, friends, work and personal growth. It’s making a positive impact on others while continuing to learn, improve and appreciate the blessings and moments that make life meaningful.

What Motivates Me Right Now: More than building the next business or opening the next location, I’m motivated by helping people grow and becoming a better leader myself. 

An Important Lesson I Learned: The people matter more than the idea. Great people can save an average idea. Average people can ruin a great one.

A Cleveland Spot I Recommend: The Flats East Bank on a summer night. There’s nothing quite like seeing Cleveland come alive along the river. 

If I Could Star in a TV Show or Movie: I’d love to be a coach in a modern-day sports story about giving underprivileged, motivated kids an opportunity they might not otherwise have.