AT THE HELM of Ellis Hospitality stands Jyoti Sarolia, whose family story epitomizes the American Dream with a distinctly hospitality twist. As president and CEO, she doesn't just run hotels—she extends a legacy that spans three generations and bridges two continents.
In 2018, Jyoti founded Ellis Hospitality. The third-generation hotelier company was named after New York City's Ellis Island, where her family had first arrived from Surat in India's Gujarat.
Ellis Hospitality's portfolio includes seven hotel properties throughout California. Overseeing operations, Jyoti prioritizes quality service to guests and taking care of her employees, understanding that happy workers lead to exceptional guest experiences.
Arriving in the U.S. in 1952, her great-grandparents settled in San Francisco, leasing their first hotel in 1957. They gradually brought more family members from Surat, including Jyoti's parents, to strengthen their support network. Born in 1970 at The Alder Hotel, Jyoti's life has been deeply intertwined with the hotel industry, encompassing 75 percent of her life. She studied at Mercy High School in San Francisco and San Francisco State University.
Jyoti's upbringing in a hospitality-oriented family proved invaluable, offering insights into both formal and informal aspects of the trade. Growing up amid hotel operations imbued her with crucial values such as teamwork. Early exposure to extended family involvement fostered a culture of cooperation, enriching her understanding of the industry from within the family fold.
"Through hosting family members and managing our own hotels, we gained comprehensive knowledge of every aspect of the business; from front desk operations to housekeeping and maintenance, which proved indispensable," Jyoti told the Women of Color Power List 2025.
"Despite the challenge, we found joy in hard work, taking risks, and being small business owners."
From her mother, Jyoti gleaned the essence of multi-tasking and teamwork – crucial in hotel operations. Her mother's exemplary work-life balance, managing both household chores and professional duties, served as a model. Even in her 70s, she actively contributes to their family business, earning her the title of "chief financial officer" from Jyoti.
Reflecting on her journey from humble beginnings to a prominent leader in hospitality, Jyoti credits her upbringing and relationships she has cultivated all these years. Her varied roles, coupled with a supportive network, have empowered her to be an influential voice in her community.
Jyoti remains committed to learning to this day. She stays updated on industry trends, attends events and speaks on topics that impact the sector. When discussing her achievements, she highlighted her tenure as the first female chairperson of the Choice Hotel Owners' Council.
"During my tenure, I facilitated collaboration between franchisees and franchisers, addressed concerns and drove profits. After my term, I continued serving on the board, providing networking opportunities and insights into emerging trends while giving back to the industry," she says.
When asked about her biggest deal yet, Jyoti said buying her first hotel remains something very close to her heart. "Our biggest family deal to date is our last hotel purchase. It is also something our family has done after Dad's passing," she adds.
Jyoti calmly addresses inquiries about potential discrimination she faced as a woman of color in her long career. Drawing from her family's resilience, she recounts instances from the 1950s when some guests at their hotel expressed discomfort with its immigrant management. However, they persevered, refusing to be deterred by prejudice or negativity.
"They just worked through it knowing they needed the next guest," she says.
When it comes to her own experiences, Jyoti brushes off concerns about discrimination, attributing challenges faced by women more to societal expectations. She credits her curiosity, drive for improvement and a supportive network for helping her overcome challenges to become a successful woman business leader.
Jyoti recognizes the pivotal role her family, including her husband Ajay Sarolia (she calls him her "problem solver"), and in-laws play in supporting her. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, their collective support became indispensable as she managed multiple hotels and sustained two families. Their unwavering support, alongside that of friends, colleagues and mentors, fortified her resilience during a period marked by severe restrictions on travel and tourism.
While banking on government assistance during the pandemic, she sought help from a hotelier friend who endured the 2008 financial crisis. Advised to stay positive and proactive, she kept her team intact and running without furloughs. These experiences reinforced her belief in leadership, emphasizing resilience in overcoming setbacks.
Jyoti ensures diversity and inclusion in her company, rejecting stereotypes and fostering an open-minded, flexible and respectful environment. By providing comfortable work settings and creating opportunities, she cultivates strong teamwork, crucial during challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, yielding positive outcomes for her business.
When asked whether she is considering passing the family business to her children, Manav (23) and Khushi (21), Jyoti said it's still early days but she remains supportive of whatever career decisions they take.
In the demanding landscape of 21st-century leadership, maintaining work-life balance remains a significant challenge for women. To deal with that, Jyoti prioritizes maintaining clear boundaries, and she has been helped by deep mutual respect within her family.
Setting strict work hours, disconnecting during downtime, delegating tasks, and focusing on personal well-being in terms of sleep, nutrition and exercise are her strategies. Jyoti emphasizes the importance of empowering team members and identifying their strengths. While she still feels that women are underrepresented in leadership roles, especially in the C-suite, she remains optimistic, acknowledging advancements made compared to previous years.
Sharing advice for future leaders of color, Jyoti urges mentorship to gain wisdom and broaden perspectives. She also emphasizes the importance of proving one's worth in every role, as that lays the foundation of trust.
Jyoti, who loves to explore new places and culture, thinks way ahead in terms of building new assets. She thanks her family for instilling in her a strong work ethic and the value of remaining grounded at all times. Decades after she started her journey in a challenging sector, they have helped her scale the heights she has today.
