We recently connected with Kimberly Walker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?

One of the most important lessons I learned came from my time working at Pressman Films in Hollywood. Everyone there, no matter their role, was contributing outrageous effort because they genuinely loved the craft of storytelling. That level of dedication and work ethic stayed with me.
Filmmaking is also an intensely collaborative art form. It requires many different skills and trades coming together to create a single experience. Hospitality is the same. The best work happens when talented people are aligned around a shared vision.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Born and raised in Southern California, Kimberly Walker is the founder and creative director of the Nomada Hotel Group, a portfolio of boutique hotels renovated from once-forgotten Central Coast properties. Each hotel represents its own unique design story holding true to the history of the space, with a common theme of authenticity and terroir of California’s coastal landscape. Kimberly spearheads the interior design + creative development for every Nomada project, then oversees the portfolio’s ongoing operations. Her passion for design and hospitality are rooted in her love of travel & the Central Coast.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

For me, the most powerful tool is accountability. When I openly admit my mistakes, it gives my team permission to do the same. It creates a culture where course-correcting is normal, not shameful, and where vulnerability becomes a strength rather than a liability.
And above all, show up. Consistency, presence, and effort set the tone far more than any words will. When your team sees you model the focus and dedication you expect from them, it builds trust, pride, and a shared sense of purpose.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Hospitality was never the plan. It was something I did for quick cash while I tried to build a writing career and launch my product, Wine Wipes. I opened Granada Bistro on a shoestring budget, the whole space was about 400 sqft, serving wine, charcuterie & paninis. I treated it like a temporary gig, because the owner had plans to demolish the building.
But night after night, that small room filled with strangers connecting, celebrating, debating, and laughing. It was infectious. I realized the importance of these types of spaces, and I fell in love with hospitality.
When the building went up for sale, a group of us took a leap and bought it. What started as an effort to keep the bistro alive evolved into restoring the old Granada Hotel. The night we opened, seeing friends, family, and strangers revel in a space that had once been dilapidated, I knew this was the industry I wanted to dedicate myself to. That became the foundation of what is now Nomada Hotel Group.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nomadahotelgroup.com
• Instagram: kimberly.a.walker